Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how all the people, both the Lamanites and Nephites became wicked, due to their great wealth and their pride in the things of the world.  Gadianton robbers again infested the land and evil was spread throughout the land.  What a sad state for the people to fall into, especially considering how righteous and happy they had once been.   4 Nephi 1:40-46 "And it came to pass that two hundred and forty and four years had passed away, and thus were the affairs of the people.  And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong, and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of God.  And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves, and adorn them with all manner of precious things.
And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away, and also two hundred and sixty years. And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton.  And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites.   And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus.  And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic.

In the Old Testament we read that David subdued all his adversaries and they became his servants.  The Lord preserved him wherever he went.  He reigned over all Israel and executed judgement and justice among all the people.  1 Chronicles 18:13-14 "And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went. So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people."

Some verses with a thought booklet recount how Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.  Paul states that he was a chief sinner, having persecuted the believers out of ignorance.  But through the grace of the Lord, he had now been put into the ministry and found acceptable before God.  The Lord is merciful to those willing to repent, and through the Atonement of Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins.  What wonderful news this is!  1 Timothy 1:12-15 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."