Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that that Jesus perceived that the people had trouble understanding the things which He had spoken to them so He asked them to go home and ponder upon what He'd said and pray for understanding.  When we read scriptures that are difficult to understand, do we simply give up and avoid reading in the future, or do we ponder and pray about them in an effort to understand what the Lord is trying to tell us?  3 Nephi 17:2-3 "I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time. Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again."

In the Old Testament we read about how Elisha prophesied a seven year famine and warned the Shunammite woman to flee to the land of the Philistines during that time so that she would be spared.  If we listen to the prophets, we too, can be preserved.  They not only warn us about physical danger such as telling us to stay out of debt and keep a supply of food on hand, but they warn us of spiritual danger--telling us things to avoid and things that we need to do. We need to be careful to heed their warnings.  2 Kings 8:1-2 "Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about how Jesus healed the sick and those who had various diseases.  Nothing is impossible to God.  He can heal of us anything, if that is His will.  And he can no only heal our bodies, but our souls as well, if we turn to Him.  Mark 1:30-34 "But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him."