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."
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