Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we should lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better world.  Are we setting our hearts on things of the world, or on treasures of heaven, which are of lasting value?  D&C 25:10 "And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."

In the Old Testament we read that we should delight ourselves in the commandments and love them.  Do we sometimes look at the commandments as being restrictive and keeping us from doing fun things we want to do?  Such is really not the case.  When we break the commandments, it hurts us and brings us shame and unhappiness.  It can lead to addictions which bind us and keep us from being free.  Actually, the way to true peace and happiness is to keep the commandments.  So why shouldn't we love them and delight in them?  They provide the way for us to gain eternal life!  Psalms 119:47 "And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the parable of the prodigal son, and how even though the son had sinned, when he came back his father welcomed him with open armed and rejoiced at his return.  Likewise, even when we stray, our Heavenly Father still loves us and rejoices when we turn our lives around and  come back to Him.  He welcomes us with open arms! It's a great comfort for us to know that Heavenly Father loves us, even when we're bad, just like we love our own children even when they're bad.   Luke 15:11-24 "And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."