Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we will not take your cross the follow the Savior, keeping His commandments, we will not be saved. D&C 56:2 "And he that will not take up his cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, the same shall not be saved."

In the Old Testament we read about how ridiculous it is to forget the Lord who created the heavens and the earth and who will comfort us, while fearing mortal man that will die. Other men are so tiny when compared to the great power and might of the Lord.  Why should we fear them when we have the Lord to watch over us?  Isaiah 51:12-13 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about how even though the tongue is a small thing, it is very powerful!  Just as a tiny bit in a horse's mouth controls where the horse goes and a small helm determines which way a mighty ship will sail, so can our tongues determine the direction of our lives.  It is difficult to rule our tongues.  Sometimes fiery words come out of our mouths before we even realize what is happening.  If untamed, nasty words coming out of our mouths can be like poisen.  It is not good that both blessings and cursings should come out of the same mouth.  A wise man will show his good works and wisdom by his good conversation.  James 3:3-13 "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."