Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon, Pahoran talks about how he would not shed blood if the Lamanites would stay in their own land and his brethren would not rise up in rebellion and take up their swords against them.  He said he would subject himself to bondage if that was the will of the Lord.  But the Lord had not commanded him to be in bondage, but rather to resist evil and dissensions, even with the sword if necessary.  When engaging in just battles, we need to trust in the Lord and He will deliver us.  Alma 61: 10-14 "And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land. We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us. We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do. But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us. Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God."

In the Old Testament we read an example of how the Lord answers sincere prayers.  Hannah was very sorrowful because she was childless.  She prayed to the Lord in the bitterness of her soul, weeping and promising that if the Lord would give her a child, she would give him to the Lord.  The Lord answered her prayer and she bore a son.  The Lord doesn't always answer our prayers the way we might want, but He does hear and answer our prayers in the way that is best for us. If we make promises to the Lord, we need to make sure we keep them.  Hannah had promised to give her son to the Lord if He would allow her to have a child.  He answered her request and when her child was weaned, she took him to Eli and said she was lending him to the Lord for as long as he lived.  1 Samuel 1:10-11, 20, 24-28 "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.  And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.  For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us we can cast all our cares upon the Lord, for He cares for us.  What a comfort this is.  We don't have to face our problems alone--the Lord loves us and will help us get through whatever trials we may face.  1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."