Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that just as the people in Moses' day were saved from death if they would but look at the brass serpent, we can be saved by looking unto Christ.  The reason the Israelites would not glance at the brass serpent was because they did not believe it would save them and they had hardened their hearts.  But if we will have faith in the atonement of Christ, our burdens will be made light, we'll find joy, and we'll obtain everlasting life.  Alma 33: 19-23 "Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."


In the Old Testament I read the Lord admonishing the children of Israel to remember Him and keep His commandments.  He reminded them that He had lead them out of Egypt, lead them safely through the terrible wilderness full of scorpions, fiery serpents and drought.  When they had no water, He had brought it forth out of rock. He had fed them manna when they had nothing to eat. We might read this and think it only applies to the Israelites who lived thousands of years ago.  But each of us could look in our own lives and remember similar stories of when the Lord helped us through difficult times, big and small. Maybe He lead us by the hand after we lost a loved one, giving us comfort. Perhaps He answered our prayer and healed us or a loved one who was ill.  Maybe He helped us survive, somehow, during a job loss. Maybe He sent a special person into our lives right when we needed them. Or just helped us find our car keys when we misplaced them or helped us remember what we'd studied when we took a test. In all kinds of ways, the Lord has been there for us and helped us and answered our prayers in the way that was best, although not always in the way we wanted. We all are indebted to the Lord. We all have much to thank Him for.  We all need to remember Him and all He's done for us.   Deuteronomy 8:11-16 "Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;"

A verse with a thought booklet is another constant reminder of the importance of love.  Love is what the gospel is all about.  Just as God loved each of us, we likewise need to love one another. 1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."