Daily Thoughts -- Friday

In the D&C we read that we need to be diligent unto the end, but should not try to run faster or labor more than we have strength.  We need to pace ourselves and take things one step at a time.  D&C 10:4 "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end."

In the Old Testament we read that we should praise the Lord continually and at all times.  This doesn't just mean in good times when everything is going well for us, but in ALL times.  It isn't so easy to come to the Lord with gratitude in our hearts when we're going through trials and tribulations, but if we can find a way to do so, we'll find our hearts lifted and our burdens won't seem so hard to bear. Looking for things to appreciate and be grateful for is a great way to help us feel better, even while going through difficult times.  Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Some verses with a thought booklet are probably very familiar to most of us.  they speak of the importance of charity, or the pure love of Christ.  No matter what other things we do or qualities we possess, if we don't have charity, it is of no profit to us.  The scriptures go on to describe some of the things that having charity entails.  If we have charity in our hearts, we are patient, kind, long suffering, unselfish, and full of faith and hope.  We are not easily provoked and we don't think evil thoughts. It's like if we have a stack of packets of sugar, all printed with the same label on them and all properly sealed, but one of them is empty.  The empty packet is of no value because it cannot be used for anything. If we have all the wrappings of a good Christian but are not filled with charity, our lives are empty.  We may be intelligent, a great speaker, and gives away lots of money, but if we lack God's love, we are empty. We could all use some improvement in showing forth more charity in our lives. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
----------------------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts -- Thursday

In the D&C I read that if we seek understanding from the Lord, it's not enough to merely ask and expect it to be given to us--we first need to study it out in our own minds and then ask if it is right.  The Lord gives us minds and expects us to use them.  D&C 9:7-9 "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."

A verse from the Old Testament tells us to wait on the Lord and have courage, for He will strengthen our hearts.  Psalms 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

Some verses with a thought booklet answer the question of which is the most important commandment that the Lord has given us.  It is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves.  In other words, the most important thing we can do in the world is to love.  And if we have love for the Lord and for others, we won't be inclined to break the other commandments either. How could we lie, cheat, or steal if we truly loved the people we would be lying to, cheating, or stealing from? How kind and thoughtful and willing to serve would we be if we truly loved those around us? Mark 12:29-31 " And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
-----------------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts -- Wednesday

In the D&C I read the Lord's words to Oliver Cowdery, telling him that whatever things he asked for in faith, with an honest heart, would be given to him.  The same is also true of us.  D&C 8:1 "Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit.

In the Old Testament we read a favorite Psalm, describing how the Lord is our Shepherd.  He restores our souls.  He leads us in the paths of righteousness.  He comforts us.  Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not need to fear. Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalms 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

A verse with a thought booklet admonishes us to use our words wisely.  Instead of allowing corrupt communication proceed from our mouths, we need to make sure that what we say helps build others up according to their needs.  Do our words tear other people down or edify them?  Ephesians 4: 29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Daily Thoughts -- Tuesday

In the D&C we're told to look unto Christ in every thought, and doubt not and fear not.  Indeed, if we truly turn our thoughts to Christ in all things, fear and doubt will be swept away.  D&C 6: 36 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

In the Old Testament we read that the heavens and the earth show the handiwork of God and declare His glory.  I've often marveled at the beauties of nature and wondered how anybody can be an atheist.  How can anyone see the wondrous creations of God and not realize that they had a creator?  It's like if you found a beautiful painting sitting out in the middle of a desert.  Would you think that it just appeared by magic, with no one having painted it?  Or would you know that somewhere there was an artist who had painted it?  The world with all its wonders is a million times more intricate than even the most masterful painting.  If we know that there cannot be a painting without an artist, how can we possibly think that there could be a world without a creator?  All we have to do is look at this awesome earth and know that there is a God. Psalms 19: 1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

Sometimes people will do things they know they shouldn't do and then excuse themselves by saying, "The devil made me do it!" Today's scripture from a thought booklet discounts this idea by telling us that if we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us.  We can resist any temptation Satan throw at us, if we simply submit ourselves unto the Lord and do our best to resist.  James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 
--------------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts -- Monday

I may possibly be without Internet access for a few days so I'm sending these in advance. 

In the D&C I read that we should not fear to do good because whatever we sow, we shall reap.  D&C 6:33 "Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward."

In the Old Testament we read that even when the sorrows of hell and death surround us, in our distress we can call upon God who will hear our voice.  Our cries come unto His ears.  No matter what our problems or troubles, we can turn to the Lord for help.  He will be there for us.  Psalms 18:5-6 "The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are familiar.  One verse tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.  It's important to put our priorities straight and put God first in our lives.  If we do that, other things will fall into place.  The second verse reminds us to take one day at a time.  Instead of worrying about what will happen tomorrow, concentrate on today.  There are enough problems to deal with today without adding what may or may not happen tomorrow.  Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
---------------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we can have no greater witness than from God, and that He can speak to us by giving us a feeling of peace.  Often when the Lord is telling us that something is right and good, He will do so by giving us a feeling of peace in our hearts.  D&C 6: 23 "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"

In the Old Testament we read that a fool whose works are abominable and corrupt says in his heart that there is no God.  If someone wants to do wickedly and disobey the commandments, they frequently want to convince themselves that there is no God. After all, if there is no God, they won't be punished for their sins.  But of course, they are fools!  Psalms 14: 1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how the Lord called Jonah to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh and he reacted by running away.  Of course we know the disastrous results of the Lord sending a storm and Jonah ending up being swallowed by a giant fish for three days.  The message?  We can't run away from God!  How many times do we try to though.  When we're asked to do something difficult or our of our comfort zone, do we try to escape?  Do we make up excuses of why we're too busy or why somebody else could do a better job  of it?  We may not end up swallowed by a fish, but what we're doing is not pleasing to the Lord.  When He calls us to do something, we need to obey.  Jonah 1:1-4, 17 "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're told that none but God can know the thoughts and intents of our hearts. D&C 6:16 "Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord is a refuge for those who are oppressed or going through through troubled times.  If we seek Him and trust in Him, He will not forsake us.  Psalms 9:9-10 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."

In a verse with a thought booklet it tells us to ask the animals and birds, for they will teach us.  Interesting idea.  What can we learn from watching animals?  Looking at a dog, we can learn loyalty and unconditional love.  They don't judge people by what they look like or how much money they have.  Looking at a cat, we can learn now to relax and just enjoy basking in a sunny spot.  Looking at a squirrel, we can learn to work hard and prepare for winter months or difficult times to come.  Looking at an ant we can learn to tackle burdens that are bigger than ourselves.  What can we learn from watching the creatures God has created?  Job 12: 7 " But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the greatest gift which God can give us is the gift of salvation, which we can receive if we do good and hold out faithful to the end.  D&C 6: 13 "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation."

In the Old Testament we read about all the wonderful creations of God and then the question is asked, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?"  Even though God created the heavens and the earth, he has crowned us with glory and honor and given us dominion over all the works of His hands.  He truly loves us, His children.  Psalms 8:3-9 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:  All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

A verse with a thought booklet expresses the idea that when we truly love others, we are delighted to share the gospel of God with them, as well as sharing our lives with them.  We want to do this with people who are dear to us.  When we reach out to others with our love and our friendship, it's natural to also want to share the gospel with them and bring them the joy and happiness that we have found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 2:8 "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that instead of seeking for worldly riches, we should seek for wisdom. If we can understand the mysteries of God and obtain eternal life, we rich as to things that really matter.  D&C 6:7 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."

In the Old Testament we read a clear discourse about how the righteous will be blessed and the wicked will perish. We will receive the just reward or punishment for the way we live our lives.  Psalms 1:1-6 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that God will render unto every man according to his works and will judge us the way we have judged other people.  It's ridiculous to judge another person harshly when we are guilty of the very thing we're accusing them of.  If our hearts are hard and impenitent, we'll risk the wrath of God's judgments against us.  Romans 2:1-5 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that wo would come unto the inhabitants of the earth if they refuse to hearken to the words of the Lord.  D&C 5:5 "Verily, I say unto you, that woe shall come unto the inhabitants of the earth if they will not hearken unto my words;"

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord made the latter end of Job's life greater than the beginning--blessing him with twice as much as he had before, and more sons and daughters.  He died at an old age, full of days.  Sometimes we go through periods of trials and tribulations which stretch us to our limits.  We suffer much and may even wonder if the Lord has forsaken us.  But if we remain true and faithful, the Lord will bless us with rich blessings far better than we can imagine.  It may not necessarily be in this life, but we can rest assured that we will receive our just rewards. It will all be worth it!  Job 42:10-17 "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.  He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.  And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.  So Job died, being old and full of days."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that when we are afraid, we can put our trust in God.  There is no need to fear what men can do to us when we trust in the Lord.  Psalms 56:3-4 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're told that valiant service and Godly attributes qualify us to do the Lord's work, and if we have desires to serve God, we are called to do the work.  The things of God must be sought after and prayed for.   D&C 4:1-7 "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read how the Lord calls Job's friends to repentance for the things they have said against him.  He tells them that the things they have spoken have not been right, like the words of Job have been.  The friends who said harsh things against Job about how he deserved the suffering he went through, are chastised by the Lord, but Job is accepted by the Lord.  Job 42:7-9 "And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how great the Lord is and how infinite His power and understanding are.  He is greatly to be praised.  Psalms 147:1-9 "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.  Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry." 

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we should not fear man more than God or care more what men think of us than we do to keep the commandments of the Lord.  If we are faithful, the Lord will extend His arm to support us against all the fiery darts of the adversary and be with us in every time of trouble.  D&C 3:6-8 "And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men. For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words— Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble."

In the Old Testament we read the Lord's words to Job as He asks him where he was when the foundations of the earth were laid and when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.  Imagine that!  When the earth was created, we all witnessed it and shouted for joy!  Job 38:1-7 "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

A verse with a thought booklet asks a powerful question--if God is for us, who can be against us?  This is something we can ask ourselves when we feel like everything is going wrong and everyone has turned against us. When we have a huge list of things piled against us and are feeling overwhelmed, what should be say to those things?  It's simple!  As long as we have the Lord on our side, what else really matters?  Romans 8: 31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, but only the works of men can be frustrated.  And if a man has great power given to him by God but boasts of his own strength and follows his own way, he will fall and incur the vengeance of a just God.  D&C 3:1-4 "The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught. For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men; For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him."

In the Old Testament we read some of the comments of Job's friends, which were an additional trial to him.  They did not believe that he was righteous and that he didn't deserve all the suffering that was heaped upon him.  They said his words were without wisdom and that by denying his sins, he was adding rebellion to all his wickedness.  Have you ever been unjustly accused of doing something?  I have.  It's a hard trial to bear.  This is another reason why it's important for us not to be hasty to judge others.  We don't always know all the facts and it's easy to judge wrongly. Job 34:35-37 "Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."

A verse with a thought booklet says that above all else we need to have fervent charity, or the pure love of Christ, toward other people, for charity covers a multitude of sins.  In the Joseph Smith Translation is says that charity PREVENTS a multitude of sins.  Think about that. If we truly have the pure love of Christ toward our fellowman, will we steal from them, lie to them, treat them unkindly, cheat them, gossip about them, or do any other of a multitude of sins toward them?  Indeed having charity does prevent a multitude of sins!  1 Peter 4: 8 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that all the words of the Lord will be fulfilled, and that whether His word is spoken by Himself or through His prophets, it is the same.  So when the prophet speaks, we'd better listen!  D&C  1: 38 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

In the Old Testament we read Job's words, inviting scrutiny of his life, asking if he has done various things and inviting the judgment of God if he has done so. These are questions we could ask in examining our own lives to see if there are things we're guilty of and in need of repentance.  Do we walk in vanity or deceit?  Are we selfish?  Do we listen to those under us?  Do we help the poor, the orphans, and the widows? Do we place our trust in wealth and rejoice over those who have less than we do? Do we rejoice when bad things happen to people who hate us?  Reading over these questions, I'm sure we can all find things we need to improve on. Job 31:5-30 "If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.   If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.  For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.  If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;  What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;  Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)  If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;  If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:  Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;  If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet waiting patiently for the Lord, and how He will hear our cries.  Often we pray and want answers immediately.  Sometimes that happens; often it does not.  Sometimes we get what we ask for, but it happens later, on the Lord's own timetable.  The important thing is to trust in the Lord.  He can bring us out of horrible pits, lift us out of mud and mire,  and put our feet on solid rock, establishing where we go.  Psalms 70: 1-4 "Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.  Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.  However, if we're willing to repent and keep the commandments, the Lord will forgive us.   There is hope for us! D&C 1: 31-32 "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;"

In the Old Testament we read further of the great afflictions of Job and how he suffered.  He cries to the Lord but doesn't feel like He's listening, even though when Job saw those in trouble, he wept for them. Can you imagine how Job must have felt?  Have you ever felt this way?  Sometimes life seems pretty unfair.  But in the end, whether in this life or the next, all things will be made right.  And even though we may feel like God isn't listening to our prayers sometimes, He really is.  And they will be answered in the right way and in the right time.  But oh how discouraging it can be in the meantime while we're suffering through our trials.  Job 30:16-31 "And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.  My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.  I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.  Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?  When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.  I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.  I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.  My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.  My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep."

Some verses with a thought booklet tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and then goes on to list other wonderful qualities.  I find it interesting that it says the "fruit is" rather than the "fruits are" when it goes on to list so many things.  It sounds like the fruit of the Spirit consists of ALL these things together, not a lot of different things independently.  It's a package deal.  So it's not like we can pick our our favorite ones and reject the others, saying "Well, I can't be longsuffering.  I'm just not a very patient person."  If we have a problem with impatience, that is exactly what the fruit of the Spirit is designed to conquer!  When we live by the Spirit, we'll find that the one fruit has many deliciously good qualities!  Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that the commandments are given unto men in their weakness and according to their manner of language, that they may gain understanding.  If they've made mistakes, these can be made known unto them.  If they've sinned, they can be chastened so they can repent.  Those who seek wisdom can be instructed and the humble can be made strong and blessed from on high.  D&C 1:24-28 "Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time."

In the Old Testament we're told that a hypocrite gains nothing when he loses his own soul, and God will not hear him when he cries during times of trouble because he did not delight in the Lord nor call upon him at all times.  Do we pray all the time, or just when we need something or are having difficulties.  If we want the Lord to be there for us, we need to pray always.  Job 27:8-10 "For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?"

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read about how we should treat other people.  If they sue us for our coat, we should give them our cloak as well.  If they make us walk a mile with them, we should choose to walk two miles instead.  If we do only what is required of us, we might do so grudgingly, but as soon as we choose to do something extra, it changes US and our attitude.  It makes it our choice and we can be happy and feel good about it.  I remember explaining this to my primary class recently and the kids got very excited about the idea.  One said, "When my mom asks me to wash the dishes, I can wipe off the counters and table too."  Another said, "When I'm supposed to make my bed, I can make my brother's bed too."  The next week they were happily chattering about the "extra mile" things they'd done that week.  They were all beaming.  I think that's the bottom line.  When we go the extra mile and do more than is expected of us, it makes us feel good about ourselves and happy about what we've done to be of service.  Matthew 5:40-42 "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."
-------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're told to prepare for the coming of the Lord, for He is nigh at hand.  And He will cut off those people who have strayed from His ordinances and broken His everlasting covenant.  Those who have not sought the Lord but have walked after their own ways will perish. D&C 1:12-16 "Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;

In the Old Testament we read that in spite of everything that Job went through, he refused to speak wickedness or utter deceit.  He said that as long as he lived, he would keep his integrity and hold fast to his righteousness.  What a shining example of being firm and steadfast in doing what is right, no matter what our circumstances!  Job 27:3-6 "All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to refrain from anger and turn away from wrath.  Fretting about things can lead to evil.  When we're fretting, we're not trusting in the Lord nor are we committing our way to the Lord.  Fretting takes away our peace and stillness.  Fretting and trusting in the Lord are not compatible.  Let's turn aside from fretting and be filled with faith!  Psalms 37: 8 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the voice of warning shall be unto all people by the mouths of the Lord's disciples in the last days.  Imagine the job of warning all the wicked people in the entire world!  But that is a job that needs to be done, and it's going to take all the followers of Christ working together to perform this work.  The gospel needs to be preached to all people.  D&C 1:4 "And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days."

In the Old Testament we read a powerful testimony from Job, as he testifies that His Redeemer lives and that He will stand at the latter day upon the earth.  And Job also testifies of the resurrection of the dead--that even though worms destroy his body, in his flesh he will see God.  Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are a plea to the Lord to hide our sins from His face and blot out our iniquities, making us clean and washing us whiter than snow.  Indeed, if we're willing to repent, thanks to the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be washed clean of all our sins and made clean again!  Psalms 52:7-9 "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that if we have no hope we will be in despair, and despair comes because of iniquity.  Wickedness never was happiness!  But if we have faith, we'll be able to do all things that are expedient for us.  Moroni 10:  22-23 "And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity. And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me."

In the Old Testament we read about how Job's friends are miserable comforters and how their vain words just makes matters worse for him.  He feels like his friends scorn him, but he pours out his tears to God.  Do we ever feel like our hearts are breaking but our friends are "miserable comforters"?  We can turn in prayer to the Lord who will ever be there for us.  Job 16:1-8, 20 "Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.  Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?  I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.  But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?  But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.  And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read a familiar verse that tells us that the Lord says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."  We often quote this verse to explain why sometimes our prayers are answered differently than we expected or why our lives sometimes take unexpected turns.  And this is a true principle.  But we also need to read the verses prior to this verse to get the full context of the message.  It talks about how we need to seek the Lord and call upon Him while He is near and that if the wicked forsake their way and return to the Lord He will have mercy on them and abundantly pardon them.  When someone has wronged us, it's often "our way" to hold a grudge against them.  But that's not the Lord's way!  His way is to forgive and have mercy on them.  God's way is totally unlike ours.  God is saying that when we sin we can seek Him out and He will pardon us.  That's not the way people usually think.  They want to keep their offenders waiting while they reluctantly decide if they're going to forgive them, if they forgive them at all.  This is not the Lord's way!  He responds with mercy and forgiveness to those who turn to Him.  Shouldn't we do the same for those who have offended us?  Isaiah 55:6-9 "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and the gifts of the Spirit will never be done away with as long as men have faith.  Only unbelief will prevent the Spirit from manifesting itself.  Moroni 10: 19,  24 "And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men. And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief."


In the Old Testament we read Job's recounting how short life is and how certain death is, but that even though we die, we shall live again.  Job 14:1-15 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.  But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands."

Going along with what we've been reading in Job, some verses with a thought booklet tell us to rejoice in our tribulations and sufferings, for they produce in us perseverance,  character, and hope.  And hope doesn't disappoint us.  We can be overjoyed when the Lord's glory is revealed.  All the difficult circumstances that we suffer through have a purpose.  They help make us into the people that the Lord wants us to be.  And remember what we learned yesterday--He has not forgotten us nor forsaken us!  He know what we're going through and is with us, even if we're not always aware of it.  Romans 5:2-5 "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that every good gift comes from Christ and even though different men receive different gifts of the Spirit, they all come from the same God.  Moroni 10:  9-18 "For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles; And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; And again, to another, all kinds of tongues; And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ."

In the Old Testament Job testifies that even if God slays him, he will still put his trust in Him.  After all the horrible things that Job was suffering, he still trusted in the Lord.  What an example for us to follow.  Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."

Going right along with this, some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that even if we feel forsaken and forgotten by the Lord, He will never forget us, but we are engraven upon the palms of His hands.  A woman is more likely to forget her child and not have compassion upon the baby that she has born than the Lord is to forget about us.  It's not going to happen! God loves us, cares for us, and will never forget us.  Isaiah 49:14-16 "But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that promise that if when we receive these things, if we will ask God with a sincere heart and real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ, He will manifest the truth unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost.  It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we may know the truth of all things.   Moroni 10:4-5 "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

In the Old Testament we read about how Job is weary of life and speaks from the bitterness of our soul.  Imagine the suffering that must have brought him to this point.  Have you ever felt this way?  Job 10:1 "My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul."

Some verses with a thought booklet are taken from the story of David and Goliath, which I'm sure we're all familiar with.  But what these verses point out is the faith and trust that David had in the Lord.  He recounts how the Lord in times past delivered him from a lion and a bear.  How could he then doubt that the Lord would likewise deliver him from the hands of this Philistine who had defied the armies of the Living God?  When we are faced with difficult circumstances and start doubting that the Lord will answer our prayers, can't we likewise look back on our lives and see the Lord's hand?  Can't we recall many instances when the Lord has been with us, guided us, and helped us bear our burdens?  Things may not have always gone as we'd planned or hoped, but as we look back we can usually see how things turned out for the best in the long run, or how the Lord helped us get through things that otherwise would have been impossible to bear and how we grew from those experiences. Take time to remember all the lions and bears in your life that the Lord has helped you face.  God was with you then and He will be with you now as you face your giants, knowing that He will give you the strength you need.  Sometimes looking at the past can help us face the future with faith and hope.  1 Samuel 17:32-37 "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon the question is asked:  How can a people who delight in wickedness expect that God will stay His hand in judgment against them?  Moroni 9:13-14 "But O my son, how can a people like this, whose delight is in so much abomination— How can we expect that God will stay his hand in judgment against us?"


In the Old Testament we read about the great suffering that Job went through.  He spent weary nights tossing and turning, his skin was full of worms and dust, and his days were spent without hope.  What a sad state he was in!  Job 7:3-6 "So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it is better to be righteous and have little in the way of worldly goods than to have great wealth without righteousness.  Money is of no eternal value and if it is the main emphasis of our lives, we'll end up with very disappointing results in the eternities.  Proverbs 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read more of Mormon's description of the wickedness of the people and how they become angry when he tries to preach repentance to them.  Satan stirs them up continually to anger against each other and they thirst after blood and revenge continually.  Moroni 9:3-7 "And now behold, my son, I fear lest the Lamanites shall destroy this people; for they do not repent, and Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another. Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them. For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually. And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. And now I write somewhat concerning the sufferings of this people. For according to the knowledge which I have received from Amoron, behold, the Lamanites have many prisoners, which they took from the tower of Sherrizah; and there were men, women, and children."

In the Old Testament we continue reading about the trials of Job.  After the Lord told Satan about how good Job is and how full of integrity, Satan said that if Job could be tried physically, he would curse God.  So the Lord allowed Satan to try Job will sore boils from head to toe. Job's wife told him to curse God and die, but Job remained firm and steadfast through all this.  Job 2:3-10 "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.  And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are a plea to the Lord to help us with the troubles and distresses of our lives and bring us out of our afflictions and pains.  No matter how large our problems are, the Lord can help us with them.  Psalms 25:17-18 "The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read Mormon's words to his son Moroni, lamenting about the wickedness of the people who rejected great knowledge and refused to repent to the point that the Spirit ceased to strive with them.  He told his son to pray for them, but didn't have much hope for them, and said that their pride was proving to be their destruction.  Moroni 8:27-29 "Behold, my son, I will write unto you again if I go not out soon against the Lamanites. Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction except they should repent. Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come unto them. But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost. And after rejecting so great a knowledge, my son, they must perish soon, unto the fulfilling of the prophecies which were spoken by the prophets, as well as the words of our Savior himself."

In the Old Testament we read about the beginning of Job's trials.  One thing after another hit him, losing his property and his children.  Can you imagine what that would feel like?  I think all of us at times have felt like we were going from one disaster to the next and that everything in our lives were going wrong.  What was our reaction?  We can all benefit from the example of Job who blessed the name of the Lord, through all his trials, and did not sin or charge God foolishly, in spite of everything that was going on in his life.  Job 1:13-22 "And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."


In some verses with a thought booklet we read how the Lord heard the prayers and cries of the children of Israel who were in bondage in Egypt and He was going to deliver them.  But notice that instead of just delivering them directly, the Lord called Moses to bring forth the people out of Egypt.  This is often how the Lord works--through other people.  I've had my prayers answered through other people many times.  I've prayed about problems and the Lord has sent people to help me.  Likewise, we can be the answer to other people's prayers if we'll pray and offer a willing heart to be of service and then pay attention and be sensitive to the needs of others that we might be of assistance to.  Exodus 3:7-10 "And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read a very powerful discourse on faith, hope and charity.  First, we're told that if miracles have ceased in our lives it is because of a lack of faith.  And if we don't have faith, all is vain for us and we are not fit to be numbered among God's people.  In order to attain faith, we need to have hope.  And we can have hope through the atonement of Christ, if we are meek and lowly of heart.  We also need to have charity, which is described in detail along with the qualities a person must possess to demonstrate charity, or the pure love of Christ.  And how do we obtain this charity?  We must pray to the Father with all the energy of our soul that we will be filled with this love, which He bestows upon all who are true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Moroni 7:35-48 "And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain. For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made. But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church. And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. f so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—  But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

In the Old Testament we begin reading the story of Job.  He was a perfect and upright man and the Lord had greatly blessed him.  Satan told the Lord that Job was only good because of all these blessings, but that if he had trials, he would turn from the Lord and curse Him.  So the Lord agreed to allow Satan to test him.  Job 1:1-12 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.  And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that the Lord is our rock, our fortress, who delivers us from perils and who is our stronghold, our refuge, and our savior.  At times when our lives are being shaken up with all kinds of trials and tribulations, we need to remember the steadfast love of God who will establish our steps and steady us.  Psalms 18:1-7 " I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.  In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that if we have faith in Christ, we'll be given the power to do anything that is expedient for us to do.  Moroni 7:33 "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."

In the Old Testament we read that the wicked Haman who had devised against the Jews to destroy them had the evil he'd planned for them return to his own head, and he and his sons were hanged on the gallows, thanks to Esther who had the courage to come before the king at the peril of her own life.  Esther 9:24-25 "Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows."

 
A verse with a thought booklet is a prayer to let our words and thoughts of our hearts acceptable in the sight of God, who is our strength and our redeemer.  If we want to be right with God, we need to pray for His help to do so.  Psalms 19:14 " Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how simple it is to judge good from evil.  Something that is good invites and entices us to do good whereas the devil invites and entices us to sin and to fight against God. So it's as easy to judge as it is to see the difference between night and day.  We need to do good things for the right reasons and have the right intent in our hearts.  If we do something good grudgingly, it's as if we never did it.  Our hearts need to be in the right places.  Moroni 7:6-19 "For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."


In the Old Testament we read that Esther was able to reveal to the king Haman's wicked plot to destroy the Jews.  The king had Haman hung from the gallows that he had prepared to hang Mordecai.  Esther 7:3-10 "Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the parable of the talents.  The servents who increased their talents were commended and told that they had been good a faithful. But the servant who took his talent and buried it instead of increasing it was called wicked and slothful and the one talent he had was taken away.  He was then cast into outer darkness.  We need to make the best use out of what the Lord has given us instead of hiding it away. It's like an ink cartridge that is never used and then when you do try to use it, it's dried up and useless for anything but to be thrown into the trash.  We need to use what we have or we'll lose it.  Matthew 25:20-30 "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that when we're baptized, we need to have a humble and contrite heart and truly repent of our sins.  We need to be willing to take the name of Christ upon us.  If we do these things, we'll be cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost and numbered among the people of the church.  We need to continue on prayerfully and be watchful to keep the commandments, relying alone upon Christ.  Moroni 6:3-4 "And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end. And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith."

In the Old Testament we read about how Mordecai and the Jews mourned and fasted because of the king's decree against them.  One of the king's chamberlains told Esther what was going on and at the peril of her life we decided to go before the king.  Mordecai said that perhaps Esther had come to the kingdom for such a time as this.  All of us have work to do in our lives.  And sometimes we are put into certain situations in which our particular talents and abilities are needed.  Are we up to fulfilling what we've been called upon to do?   Esther 4:1, 7-16 "When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.  Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;  All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God can put a new and right spirit within us.  He can cleanse our hearts.  Have you ever been faced with feeing anger or hatred toward another person and don't seem able to rid yourself of those feelings?  Or have you been beset with a sin or habit you can't seem to control?  Do you try to do the right thing but resent having to do it or have a bad attitude about it?  If our hearts aren't right, the best thing we can do is turn to the Lord for help.  He can change our hearts.  He can renew our spirits.  I've experienced this myself.  One time I was angry with a friend and just couldn't seem to forgive.  And as long as I harbored those bad feelings toward my friend, I couldn't feel the Spirit in my life nor could I feel peace.  But after much prayer and asking the Lord to help me, feelings of forgiveness and peace finally came.  The Lord will change our hearts if we'll turn to Him and ask Him to help us.  Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." 

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read the proper way to administer the sacrament bread, which is the same way it is done today.  Moroni 4:1-3 "The manner of their elders and priests administering the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church; and they administered it according to the commandments of Christ; wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the elder or priest did minister it— And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying: O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read about how Haman arranged a decree to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.  Esther 3:8-11 "And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that we should give glory and graditude to the Lord for He reigns over all and His hand is power and might, having made everything and giving strength to all.  Everything we have comes from God, so any offerings we might make means we are giving back only a portion of what God has given to us.  1 Chronicles 29:11-14 "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about the total fulfillment of Ether's prophecies.  Coriantumr lived to see the entire destruction of his people.  They had hardened their hearts and blinded their minds to such an extent that the Spirit had ceased striving with them and Satan had full power over their hearts.  What a sad end to a once great people.  Ether 15: 15-33 "And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives and their children—both men, women and children being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war—they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not. And it came to pass that when it was night they were weary, and retired to their camps; and after they had retired to their camps they took up a howling and a lamentation for the loss of the slain of their people; and so great were their cries, their howlings and lamentations, that they did rend the air exceedingly. And it came to pass that on the morrow they did go again to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless, they conquered not, and when the night came again they did rend the air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of the slain of their people. And it came to pass that Coriantumr wrote again an epistle unto Shiz, desiring that he would not come again to battle, but that he would take the kingdom, and spare the lives of the people. But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought even until the night came. And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought again; and when the night came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiz. And it came to pass that they slept upon their swords that night, and on the morrow they fought again, and they contended in their might with their swords and with their shields, all that day. And when the night came there were thirty and two of the people of Shiz, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumr. And it came to pass that they ate and slept, and prepared for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty men as to the strength of men. And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three hours, and they fainted with the loss of blood. And it came to pass that when the men of Coriantumr had received sufficient strength that they could walk, they were about to flee for their lives; but behold, Shiz arose, and also his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr or he would perish by the sword. Wherefore, he did pursue them, and on the morrow he did overtake them; and they fought again with the sword. And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by the sword, save it were Coriantumr and Shiz, behold Shiz had fainted with the loss of blood. And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had leaned upon his sword, that he rested a little, he smote off the head of Shiz. And it came to pass that after he had smitten off the head of Shiz, that Shiz raised up on his hands and fell; and after that he had struggled for breath, he died. And it came to pass that Coriantumr fell to the earth, and became as if he had no life. And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record; (and the hundredth part I have not written) and he hid them in a manner that the people of Limhi did find them."

In the Old Testament we read that Esther was chosen as queen instead of Vashti.  Esther 2:4, 16-17 "And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about the protecting watch care of the Lord.  If we trust in Him, He will deliver us and we have no need to fear.  Psalms 91:2-5 "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that millions of people were slain in battle--a fulfillment of Ether's prophecy.  Coriantumr mourned greatly over this, refusing to be comforted.  Ether 15:1-3 "And it came to pass when Coriantumr had recovered of his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken unto him. He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children. He began to repent of the evil which he had done; he began to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophets, and he saw them that they were fulfilled thus far, every whit; and his soul mourned and refused to be comforted."

In the Old Testament we begin reading the story of Esther, which began with the kind becoming displeased with his wife Vashti because she refused to come when he wanted her to and banishing her from his presence.  Esther 1:10-12, 19-20 "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us not to be afraid, for the Lord is with us and will strengthen us.  He doesn't always remove our burdens and take our problems away, but sometimes He helps us by giving us the strength to bear our burdens.  He'll walk beside us as we struggle and sometimes even carry us.  We can trust in Him. The story is told of a husband who came home from work and told his wife he'd just lost his job.  She sat down and cried.  Their little boy who had been playing nearby came and sat in her lap.  He told her he'd been taught a scripture verse in church the previous Sunday and asked if he could quote it to her.  She said, "Maybe, later, dear."  He looked her right in the eye and said, "But Mommy, you need this verse right now!"  He then quoted a verse in Isaiah which told her not to be afraid or discouraged, for God is with us and will strengthen and help us. Indeed, that's just what she needed to hear at that time. Even in the midst of our problems, let's never forget these precious promises from the Lord.  Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
-------------------------------------