Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that we must repent and be baptized and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we believe the Bible, we'll also believe the Book of Mormon.  And if we do all these things, it will be well with us in the day of judgment.  Mormon 7:8-10 "Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them. And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read about how Judah was able to defeat the armies of Israel, even though they were surrounded,  because they relied on the Lord and called upon Him for help.  No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, if we trust in the Lord and ask Him to help us, miracles can occur! 2 Chronicles 13:13-18 "But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.  And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand. And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers."

A verse with a thought booklet warns us not to provoke our children to wrath, but rather bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Do we nurture our children with kindness and love, helping and guiding them along the paths they should go?  Or do we lose patience with them, yelling and screaming at them if they don't do what we say? Which approach would the Lord have us use?  Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."