Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we've been reading Moroni's epistle to Pahoran and how he chastised him for his great neglect and wickedness.  Today we read Pahoran's reply back to Moroni in which he explains that he takes no joy in their sufferings but has not been able to help because wicked men have taken over the government and caused a great rebellion. Alma 61:1-7 "Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he received: I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous. And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you. And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get. And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle."

In the Old Testament we read the touching words of Ruth to her mother in law Naomi, which show such devotion and loyalty.  She is willing to follow Naomi back to her homeland and says that Naomi's people will become her people and Naomi's God, her God. She says nothing but death will separate them.  Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." 

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of how a servant girl was able to be a missionary to her master, by suggesting to his wife that he go to the prophet to be healed of his leprosy. If anyone had an excuse not to be used by God, it was this girl.  She had been captured by the enemy, taken from her home and family and was a stranger in the land in which she was a slave.  Going through all that, she could have excused herself from being compassionate as to her master's disease and problems.  But she cared.  She wanted to help.  And she testified about a prophet of the living God who could help him.  Can we follow her example to be instruments of God's compassion, healing, and hope to bring light into the lives of others?  Even people who have hurt us?  2 Kings 5:1-6 "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.  And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."