Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the people turned to secret combinations like those of old, and the Lord warned that any nation that did so would be destroyed.  He left a warning to all that we need to repent of our sins and not allow these murderous combinations to come among us.  Ether 8:22-23 "And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not. Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be."

In the Old Testament we read about how the faithful people contributed to the building of the temple, each giving according to their ability.  Ezra 2:68-69 "And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:  They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us to put on the whole armor of God so that we'll be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  There is a battle going on between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.  If we're going to win our fight against wickedness, we need to take upon us the whole armor of God, including the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of pece, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And then let's not forget to pray always!  Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"