Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord withdrew His disciples and gifts of the Spirit because of the wickedness of the people.  There were no miracles or healings performed and the Holy Ghost was not present.  Spiritual gifts do not co-exist with unbelief.  Mormon 1:13-14 "But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief."

In the Old Testament we read that David sinned by numbering Israel.  Why was this a sin?  Because it shows that rather than simply trusting in God to take care of them in battle, David wanted reassurance that he had enough men to defeat his enemies.  What he didn't realize was that if he had the Lord on his side, it didn't matter how many or how few his soldiers were.  So counting the men showed a lack of faith.  1 Chronicles 21: 1-8 "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.  And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?  Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.  And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.  And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly."

In some scriptures from a thought booklet we read a great story of early missionary work.  Philip followed the promptings of the spirit to go and teach the eunuch.  The eunuch, who was reading Isaiah, was sincerely seeking the word of God, but he needed Philip to explain to him what he waws reading.  Philip was able to teach him about Jesus Christ and to baptize him.  When we're prompted to approach someone and teach them the gospel, we should follow Philip's example and not be afraid to open our mouths.  The Lord will help us as we do our best to try to spread His gospel.  Acts 8:26-40 "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea."
-----------------------------------------