Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we receive the gospel, we receive Jesus Christ.  To receive the gospel we need to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost, who will teach us all things.  D&C 39:5-6 "And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom."

In the Old Testament we read that a man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will receive honor.  Proverbs 29:23 "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."

Going right along with this, some scriptures with a thought booklet are a lesson in humility.  They compare a proud Pharisee with a humble publican.  The Pharisee looks down on others and thanks the Lord that he's not a sinner like they are.  The publican is contrite and repentant, praying for forgiveness for his sins.  We are all sinners and we all come short of what we should be.  Those of us who are humble enough to recognize our shortcomings and are willing to repent of them  and try to do better will receive mercy from the Lord.  But if we are so self righteous that we think we're perfect and all we do is condemn other people and haughtily think about how superior we are to them, we are committing a very serious sin in doing so and are in serious need of repentance ourselves.  We should not judge other people just because they sin differently than we do!  I remember hearing the story of a man who went to a gas station to fill up his tank.  He noticed a man on a motorcycle likewise getting gas.  This motorcycle rider had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, straggly hair, dirty clothes, looked and smelled like he hadn't bathed in days, and his arms were covered in tattoos.  The first man was very judgmental of him and was thinking unkind thoughts about him because of his appearance.  Then he reached for his wallet to pay for his gas and realized he'd left it at home.  He started rummaging through his car looking for any extra cash and found none.  He went into the gas station to explain his problem and the attendant informed him that the gentleman on the motorcycle had noticed his plight and paid for his gas before he'd driven away.  Which man at the gas station that day do you think the Lord was more pleased with?  Luke 18:9-14 "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."