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."