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."