Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.  Indeed, He suffered for all men that they might repent and come unto Him and He made it possible for all to be resurrected.  His joy is great in the soul who repents.  We are called to cry repentance unto the people and if we can bring one soul unto the Lord, we'll have great joy with them in the Kingdom of God.  And if our joy is great with one soul, imagine our joy if we're able to bring many souls unto God!  D&C 18:10-16 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;  For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!  Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!  And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

In the Old Testament we read about how we can turn to the Lord for help and comfort during the worst times of our trials and tribulations, even if we're sinking into deep mire or flood waters overflow upon us and even if we're weary from crying.  We can pray for deliverance from whatever is troubling us.  Psalms 69:1-3, 13-18 "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.  I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.  I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.  But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.  Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.  Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.  Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet show Jesus asking His disciples who people were saying that He was.  He got a variety of answers.  Then He asked them who they thought He was, and Simon Peter answered that He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Jesus said that flesh and blood could not give such knowledge, but it was given by Heavenly Father. If today we were to take a survey of people on the street, asking them who Jesus was, we'd probably get dozens of different answers--a good teacher, a historical figure, a Jew, a healer, a storyteller, a good guy, a figment of people's imaginations.  But the knowledge of who Jesus Christ really is can only be given through the Spirit.  If we really want to know who Jesus is, we must study the scriptures and pray for understanding.  Matthew 16:13-17 "When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."