Daily Thoughts Today

In the D&C we read the powerful testimony of Joseph Smith that God and Jesus Christ live, for he and Sidney Rigdon saw them.  D&C 76:22-24 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."

In the Old Testament we read about the great pride and haughtiness of Moab, and how the Lord would break it down and destroy it. This is the fate of anyone who magnifies themselves against the Lord.  Jeremiah 48:29, 38-42 "We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart. There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the Lord. They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.  For thus saith the Lord; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.  And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord will instruct us, guide us, and teach us which way to go.  Driving in unfamiliar places, I've sometimes relied solely on my GPS to get me where I needed to go.  And most of the time it does a good job, even when it seems like it's leading me in the wrong direction at times.  But occasionally it does make mistakes, like the time it told me to drive the wrong way on a one way street, or the time it told me to "navigate off road" in the middle of a bridge high over a river!  But the Lord will always direct us in the right way to go.  He is more accurate than any GPS can be and we can safely put our trust in Him.  Psalms 32:8 " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

Daily Thoughts Yesterday

I thought for sure I sent out my Daily Thoughts yesterday but they're still sitting in my file to be sent out.  Did anybody get them yesterday?  Just in case you didn't, here there are:

In the D&C we read about how great and marvelous the Lord and His ways are and how He will reward those who serve Him in righteousness.  In fact, the Lord will reveal the mysteries of His kingdom to all the faithful and they will gain understanding of His secrets.  D&C 76:1-10 "Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand. From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail. For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man."

In the Old Testament we read about the desolation and destruction that would fall upon the Philistines.  Jeremiah 47:1-7 "The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.  Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.  At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands; Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself? O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that light is come into the world and that those who walk in truth come to the light and are drawn to it.  However, those whose deeds are evil prefer the darkness.  They hate the light because they don't want their wickedness revealed and reproved. What about us?  Do we rejoice in the light or, to our condemnation, do we love the darkness?  John 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the idler should not have place in the church unless he repents and mends his ways.  We all need to be diligent and provide for our own families, as well as laboring in the church. D&C 75:28-29 "And again, verily I say unto you, that every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide, and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the church. Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways."

In the Old Testament we read that because the people had burned incense to other gods and had not obeyed the voice of the Lord, evil would come upon them.  The Lord would punish them for their sins.  Jeremiah 44:23, 29 "Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day. And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the Lord, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:"

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the Lord gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.  If we don't have the strength or energy to do what we need to do, we can seek help from the Lord.  He can also give us strength to resist temptation.  If we're willing to humble ourselves enough to admit we can't do it alone and turn to Him, He'll be there for us.  Isaiah 40:29 "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that we should pray to receive the Comforter, which teaches of all things.  D&C 75:10-11 "Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them— Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end."

In the Old Testament the Lord warned the people not to go to Egypt.  If they disobey and go anyway, they will die by the sword and famine and pestilence.  All the things they fear will come to pass.  There is safety in obeying what the Lord tells us to do.  Jeremiah 42:11-22 "Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land. But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the Lord your God, Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:  And now therefore hear the word of the Lord, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there; Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die. So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more. The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.  And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you. Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord is our refuge and our strength and will help us in times of trouble.  Even if the earth is removed, the mountains fall into the sea, and the waters roar, we have nothing to fear.  Psalms 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read an admonition to go forth and preach the gospel, lifting up voices as with the sound of a trump and proclaiming the truth. The reward for doing so is eternal life.   D&C 75: 3-5 "Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might— Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you. And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life."  



In the Old Testament we read that Jeremiah was released from prison and came to no harm.  He was protected because he spoke the words of the Lord to the people, trying to warn them, and he put his trust in the Lord.  Jeremiah 39:11-18 "Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.  So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;  Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people. Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet give the picture of useless idols being carted around, a heavy burden to the beasts pulling them in an ox-cart, staggering under the weight.  Imagine a God you'd have to carry.  But that isn't the way it is with the Lord.  Instead of expecting us to carry him around, He carries us, even to our old age.  He created us and He will sustain us.  Isaiah 46:1-4 "Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together, they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that those who have been given stewardships will be called to give an accounting of their stewardships, both in time and eternity.  And those who have been wise and faithful in fulfilling their duties will be rewarded with mansions prepared for them by the Father.  D&C 72: 3-4 "And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity. For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father."

In the Old Testament we see the fulfillment of what Jeremiah had said would happen.  Jerusalem is taken and the people captured.  The sons of Zedekiah are slain before his eyes and then he's bound with chains, his eyes put out, and he's carried away to Babylon.  Jeremiah 39:1-9 "In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain. But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.  Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon. And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about a blind man who called out to Jesus to have mercy on him.  Others told the blind man to be quiet, but he persisted all the more until Jesus took notice of him and healed him.  Sometimes we need to be persistent in our prayers.  The Lord does hear us when we pray, even though His answer might be different from what we expect and its according to His time table.  He will answer our prayers and we should not give up praying.  Mark 10:46-52 "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about how Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were called to preach the gospel and told that even though wicked people would try to thwart the work, no weapon formed against the saints would prosper and those who tried to fight the work of the Lord would be confounded in the own due time of the Lord.  Those called to preach the gospel need to keep the commandments and remain true and faithful.  D&C 71:1-11 "Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will. Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you. Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you. Wherefore, labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come. Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also; For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power. Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest. Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;  And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time. Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read that Jeremiah was cast into a miry dungeon because the people didn't like what he had to say.  This is true of prophets all down through the ages.  They call people to repentance and tell them the consequences of they don't repent.  People don't want to be told to change their sinful ways.  They don't want to know what will happen if they don't obey the Lord.  So their solution is to get rid of the prophet!  Jeremiah 38:1-6 "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. Thus saith the Lord, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.  Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.  Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that it is better to place our trust in the Lord than in other men, even princes.  As long as we have the Lord on our side, what can men do to us?  Psalms 118: 6, 8-9 "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?  It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the Lord is not pleased with those who are idle.  We need to labor with faithfulness.  D&C 68:30-31 "And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord. Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness."

In the Old Testament we read that the prophecies of Jeremiah were written on a roll and given to the king.  As the king read them, he didn't like what they said, so he burned them in the fire.  The Lord just had Jeremiah dictate more prophecies, adding to them and explaining how the inhabitants of Jerusalem would have evil pronounced against them because they refused to hearken to the word of the Lord.  There are consequences to disobedience.  And burning the word of the Lord does not negate it!  Jeremiah 36:20-32 "And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.  So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.  Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.  And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.  Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them. Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not. Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words."

Some verses with a thought booklet help us put things into perspective.  Instead of worrying about our lives, what we'll eat and what we'll wear, we should seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto us.  Instead of seeking treasures of earth where moth and rust corrupts, we should seek the lasting treasures of heaven which do not fade away and which thieves cannot steal.  Wherever our treasure is, there will our heart be also.  I've found this to be be true many times in my life.  When I've put my first priority on things of God, everything else seems to fall into place.  If I pay my tithing first, I seem to have money for the things that I need.  If I go to the temple, I seem to have time for the other things I need to do.  If I keep the Sabbath Day holy, the other days seem to be more productive.  Putting things of God first in our lives will make our lives better and happier. Instead of unduly worrying about things, just put God first and trust in Him.  Luke 12:22-34 "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if parents have children in Zion and neglect to teach them the doctrines of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the time they are 8 years old, the sin will be upon the heads of the parents.  What a weighty responsibility parents have to teach their children the gospel, and to teach them to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord. D&C 68:25-28 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.  And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord sent His servants the prophets to the people to call them to repentance and to admonish them to amend their ways and stop going after other gods and serving them. But they refused to hearken to the words of the prophets.  Because the Lord called them but they would not hear, the Lord pronounced evil against them.  If we don't obey, we suffer the consequences.  Jeremiah 35:15, 17 "I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered."

Some verses with a thought booklet teach us something about the Sabbath Day.  When Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath Day, He was severely criticized, saying he had six ays to heal people and should not be doing it on the Sabbath Day.  However, He pointed out to these people that if they had an ox that needed watering, they would lead it away from its stall.  How much more important was it to heal this woman who had been afflicted for 18 years?  The Sabbath is a day to do good, not a day to do nothing.  In fact, many of us with church callings have much to do on the Sabbath Day, including teaching, counseling, and administering.  Luke 13:10-17 "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that when the servants of the Lord speak as moved upon by the Holy Ghost their words are like scripture, containing the word of the Lord and the mind of the Lord.  So we should be of good  cheer and not fear, for the Lord will stand by us when we bear record of Jesus Christ.  D&C 68: 2-6 "And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth— And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants. Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

In the Old Testament we read that the days will come when the Lord will perform all the good things He has promised unto the House of Israel and to the house of Judah.  Indeed, the Lord keeps His promises to us all and fulfills whatever He says He will do.  We can count on it! Jeremiah 33:14 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to be still and know that He is God.  It's difficult to feel the Spirit when we're in a busy, noisy, hurried environment.  Sometimes we need to take the time to be still and meditate in a quiet place to replenish our Spirits and come to know God.  Do we take time for prayer and quiet study each day?  Psalms 46: 10 " Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that our prayers are heard and the Lord knows the desires of our hearts.  The heavens and the earth are in the Lord's hands and the riches of eternity are His to give.  But if we have fear in our hearts, that may prevent us from receiving the blessings that are offered to us.  D&C 67:1-3 "Behold and hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together, whose prayers I have heard, and whose hearts I know, and whose desires have come up before me. Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give. Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive."

In the Old Testament we read that even though the Lord showed signs and wonders to the people, bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt and giving them a land of milk and honey, they refused to obey His voice or keep His commandments.  So they brought evil upon themselves.  The Lord has given great blessings to each of us.  Do we respond the same way as the children of Israel--by refusing to keep His commandments?  If so, we will eventually reap the punishments we deserve.  Jeremiah 32:20-23 "Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;  And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;  And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:"

A verse with a thought booklet emphasizes the importance of each person to the Lord.  A parable is told of a woman who lost a coin and searched until she found it, then called her friends together to rejoice with her because we had recovered the lost coin.  So likewise do the angels rejoice when one sinner repents.  Each of us is precious in the sight of God and He seeks after everyone who is lost, rejoicing when they are found.  Luke 15:8-10 "Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that those who receive the everlasting covenant, even the fulness of the gospel, will be made partakers of the glories written of by the prophets and apostles of old.  D&C 66:2 "Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old."  

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord will satiate our weary souls and replenish our sorrowful souls.  When we're sad and weary, we can turn to the Lord for relief.  Jeremiah 31:25 "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that if we are blessed with worldly goods and see someone else in need but refuse to give to them, the love of God does not dwell with us.  We can't just say we love others, we need to show our love by our actions.  And turning our backs on those in need while we have it within our means to help them, is not demonstrating the love that we should have.  If we truly love others, we'll do what we can to help them.  1 John 3:17-18 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
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Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the keys of the kingdom of God are committed to man on earth and the gospel will roll forth unto the ends of the earth.  We need to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ when the Kingdom of Heaven will join the Kingdom of God on earth.  D&C 65:2-5 "The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth. Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom. Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people. Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord would send famine and pestilence to punish the people because they refused to hearken to His words, as spoken by His prophets.  When God sends prophets to speak to us, do we listen and obey?  Jeremiah 29:17-19 "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the Lord, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the Lord."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the parable of the Pharisee and publican.  The Pharisee was proud and thought that he was better than other people.  He bragged about fasting and paying tithing and prayed that he was glad he wasn't like other people who committed sins.  On the other hand, the publican prayed in humility, seeking forgiveness for his sins.  Jesus said that the publican was more justified than the Pharisee, and that those who exalt themselves will be abased and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  We all need to examine our own lives.  How often do we pray in deep humility, asking for forgiveness for our sins?  How often do we look at other people and think, "Boy, I'm glad I'm not like that!"  Are we judging others harshly while we think about how great we are because we went to church on Sunday or paid our tithing?  Do we look down our noses at other people and have a self righteous attitude about how we never commit any bad sins?  If so, we're in great need of repentance because one of the ugliest sins is pride.  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."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that bishops and other church leaders need to be faithful in their stewardships or they'll be condemned and others will take their place. I think this is true of all of us in our callings.  We need to diligently serve in whatever we're called to do.  D&C 64:40 "And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord doesn't want evil for us, but wants to give us peace.  When we call upon Him and pray to Him, He will listen to us.  If we seek Him, we will find Him.  Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of the poor widow who donated all the money she had, compared to the rich who gave from their great abundance.  Even though the amount of money given by the rich was much greater than what the widow was able to give, her contribution was more valuable because it was all she had.  Luke 21: 1-4 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that we should not be weary in well doing, for we are laying the foundation of a great work.  Out of small things, great things can proceed. The Lord requires us to have a willing heart and mind and to be obedient.  If we are righteous, we'll be blessed, but the rebellious will be cut off.  D&C 64:33-35 "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days. And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land."

In the Old Testament we read that Jeremiah tells the people that he has been sent by the Lord to prophesy against them and tell them to amend their ways and obey the voice of the Lord.  However, he is in their hands and they can do with him as they wish.  But if they put him to death, they will shed innocent blood which they'll be held accountable for. Jeremiah 26:12-15 "Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.  But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that even if heaven and earth pass away, the words of the Lord will not pass away.  Everything the Lord has promised will all be fulfilled.  Luke 21:33 "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."
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Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that today we need to prepare for the coming of Christ.  We need to pay our tithes and offerings and make sure we're not among the proud and wicked who will be burned at His coming.  We need to labor while it is called today.  Tomorrow may be too late!  D&C 64:23-25 "Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord commanded Jeremiah to prophesy against the people, telling them that if they did not repent and mend their evil ways, they would be destroyed. This caused such an uproar that the princes decided that Jeremiah was worthy of death because of it. How often, throughout history, have the prophets of God been persecuted and even killed because people didn't like what they had to say.   Jeremiah 26:1-11 "In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the Lord, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the Lord's house. Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about how thoroughly the Lord knows and understands us.  He knows everything we do, everything we think.  And we cannot possibly hide from Him.  If we hide in the dark, it's like being out in the sun at noon to the Lord.  We cannot possibly do anything that won't be known to the Lord. Psalms 139:1-12 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the Lord will forgive whom He will forgive, but of us it is required to forgive all men.  If we don't forgive those who have trespassed against us, there will remain in us the greater sin.  D&C 64:9-10 "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.  I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

In the Old Testament we read that because the people refused to listen to the prophets and repent of their sins, but continued in their evil ways which provoked the Lord to anger, they would be delivered to other nations and have to serve Babylon for seventy years.  If we don't repent and refuse to listen to the prophets, we will suffer the consequences of our choices.  Jeremiah 25:4-11 "And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:  And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."

Some verses with a thought booklet give us a key to have the peace of God be with us--keep our minds on things that are honest, just, pure lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise.  What we choose to think about and dwell on effects the quality of our lives.  Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that the day will come when the wicked will be separated from the righteous, just like the foolish and wise virgins were separated. The wicked will be cast out into unquenchable fire.  D&C 63: 54 "And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire."

In the Old Testament we read about the wickedness of false prophets who lead the people astray and cause them to commit sin.  They will be punished by God.  True prophets cause people to hear the words of the Lord and encourage them to turn from their evil doing.  Jeremiah 23:13-22 "And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.  Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.  For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read Jesus' teachings to His disciples just before He ascended into heaven.  He opened their understanding of the scriptures and taught them that all the things the prophets of old had written about concerning Him needed to be fulfilled--His atonement for our sins on condition of repentance, and His rising from the dead on the third day, preparing the way for all of us to be resurrected.  They were witnesses to these things. This is what the gospel is all about!  Luke 24:44-48 "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the dead who died in the Lord will be blessed, and they will be resurrected and receive their inheritance.  D&C 63:49 "Yea, and blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth, when the Lord shall come, and old things shall pass away, and all things become new, they shall rise from the dead and shall not die after, and shall receive an inheritance before the Lord, in the holy city."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord would destroy the wicked and cast them into the fire.  Many nations would pass by and wonder why the Lord had done such things to such a great city.  The answer would be because they had forsaken the covenants they had made with the Lord their God and had worshiped other gods and served them.  There are consequences to our sins and if we don't repent, we will be punished.  Jeremiah 22:6-9 "For thus saith the Lord unto the king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited. And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire. And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city? Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the story of the daughters of Zelophehad.  They were upset because the laws stated that only sons could inherit their father's property and their father had no sons, only daughters.  Sometimes when we're treated unfairly like this, we do nothing but grumble and complain and glower at people we feel have wronged us.  But in this case, the daughters went to Moses and told him they thought these rules were unfair.  Moses took the matter to the Lord, and the Lord sided with them.  This is a good example of stating our claims with clarity to try to get our problems solved, rather than just grumbling about them.  Numbers 27:1-7 "Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,  Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.  Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.  And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we keep the commandments, we'll be given the mysteries of the Kingdom.  D&C 63:23 "But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life."

In the Old Testament we read the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. However, the people did not obey nor listen to this commandment.  They had stiff necks and refused to receive this instruction.  That's not very different from how many people today keep the Sabbath Day holy.  Jeremiah 17:21-23 "Thus saith the Lord; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;  Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.  But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us how important the scriptures are.  If we study them from the time we are a child, they will make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ.  The scriptures are given to us by inspiration from God and will instruct us and reprove us.  Today is the 11th anniversary of the attacks of 9-11, and is a Tuesday, just like it was 11 years ago.  One thing that occurred that day was the crashing of Flight 93 into a field.  Everyone and everything on the plane was smashed to smithereens.  The largest piece of the plane was the size of a dinner plate.  Only one item had come through unscathed:  a Bible.  This serves as a reminder that no evil can destroy the Word of God.  It goes on forever.  2 Timothy 3:15-17 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
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Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read if we do the will of the Lord and endure in faith, we will receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration comes.  D&C 63:20 "Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come;"

In the Old Testament we read about how Israel would be rejected and scattered because of their wickedness and their serving false gods.  However, the Lord would send fishers and hunters to gather them again as the Gospel is restored for the last time.  Jeremiah 15:10-21 "Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me. The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.  Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel? Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders. And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you. O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.  And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord.  And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."

In a verse with a thought booklet we read that God knows the number of stars in the universe and is able to call each one by its name.  If this is true of stars, it likewise needs to be true of His children.  Even though there are billions of people on the earth, the Lord knows each of us by name, and He loves every one of us.  If we ever feel like we're lost in the crowd or that we're insignificant to God, we'd better think again.  If He knows all the stars, He surely knows us.  Psalms 147:4 "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that those who seek for signs before they have faith are not pleasing unto God. First we need to have faith, and then signs and mighty works will follow. D&C 64:7-12 "And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation. Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning; But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God. Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation. Wherefore, I, the Lord, am not pleased with those among you who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men unto my glory."

In the Old Testament we read about the terrible punishments that the Lord would send forth unto the Jews because of their wickedness.  Jeremiah 15:1-4 "Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.  And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that many people wanted to come see Lazarus because Jesus had raised him from the dead.  But the chief priests wanted to put Lazarus to death because many people believed in Jesus because of him.  It's difficult for me to understand why anyone would want to destroy evidence of a miracle, to prevent people from having faith.  What  causes people to fight against the work of God?  In yet, it's always been so.  There are people who want to destroy faith and prevent the work of the Lord from progressing. There are people like that even today.  Very, very sad indeed.  John 12:9-11 "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;  Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read that when we best our testimonies, they are recorded in heaven, angels rejoice over us, and we are forgiven for our sins.  D&C 62:3 "Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you."

In the Old Testament we read about how Jeremiah prays because of the dearth and famine, but the Lord will not hear because of the wickedness of the people.  There are consequences to our sins, and if we persist in wickedness, the Lord will not hearken to our prayers.  Jeremiah 14:1-12 "The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth. Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads. Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.  Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.  And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass. O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.  O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?  Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet assure us that we don't need to have troubled hearts.  Our faith in our Father and Jesus Christ allows us to know that they are preparing a place for us so we can dwell with them for eternity.  When our difficult circumstances in life distress us, we can place our trust in God and know that He is preparing an eternal home for us.  John 14:1-4 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we can be of good cheer because the Lord will not forsake us.  If we humble ourselves before Him the blessings of the Kingdom will be ours.  We need to pray always that we won't enter into temptation and we'll be able to abide the day of His coming.  D&C 61:36-39 "And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you; And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of the kingdom are yours. Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not. Pray always that you enter not into temptation, that you may abide the day of his coming, whether in life or in death. Even so. Amen."


In the Old Testament we read that because of the iniquity of the people and their breaking their covenants, the Lord would bring evil upon them that they would not be able to escape from, and He would not hear their cries.  They could turn to their idols for help in their time of trouble, but their idols would not be able to save them.  Jeremiah 11:10-12 "They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we'll be blessed as we keep the commandments--not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work.  James 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the Lord is not pleased with us when we hide our talents and are afraid to open up our mouths.  If we're not more faithful, the Lord will take away the talents which He has blessed us with.  D&C 60:2-3 " But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them. And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have."

In the Old Testament we read about how ridiculous it is to worship idols that are created by men's hands and who are useless, powerless, and can do nothing of themselves.  By comparison, the true God is all powerful.  He created all things in heaven and on earth.  Jeremiah 10:2-15 "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.  For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.  Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish."

In a verse with a thought booklet we read that no one can know the things of God without doing them. If there is a commandment we're unsure of, we need to obey it.  It is only through keeping the commandments that we'll gain understanding of them  John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we are righteous, we'll receive the reward of peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.  D&C 59:23 "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."


In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord will bring punishment upon the people because of their many sins and their deceitful ways.  Jeremiah 9:5-16 "And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?  For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone. And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?  And the Lord saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about Adam blaming Eve when we partook of the forbidden fruit, and then Eve in turning blaming the serpent.  How often do we refuse to accept full responsibility for our own actions.  We trip and fall and blame the "uneven sidewalk" instead of acknowledging our own carelessness.  We lose our tempers and say "he made me so mad!"  It's always the other person's fault, or the bad circumstances we were faced with.  But are willing to accept full responsibility for our own actions?  Only by admitting we're to blame can be take the first step towards repenting.  Genesis 3:11-13 "And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we offend God and His wrath is kindled against us when we don't keep His commandments and we don't thank Him and recognize His hand in all things. So if we think that the good things that happen to us are just the result of our own hard work or an accidental coincidence instead of recognizing them as blessings from the Lord, He is not pleased with us!  D&C 59:21 "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."

In the Old Testament we read that the people were not at all ashamed of the abominations they had committed.  So because they rejected the law of the Lord and refused to hearken unto His words, He would bring evil upon them. He had set watchmen over them to warn them to repent, but they would not listen nor obey.  Jeremiah 6:15-19 "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it's better to be poor than dishonest.  Some people will do anything, even lie or cheat other people, in order to get rich.  But in the end, if we are not right with God, nothing we gain will be of any lasting value.  Proverbs 19:22 "The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're commanded to keep the Sabbath Day holy.  If we do so we'll be blessed both temporally and spiritually.  D&C 59:9-19 "And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High; Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;  But remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.  And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.  Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.  And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance— Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

In the Old Testament we read more about the great wickedness of the people and their refusal to turn to the Lord, in spite of all the great things He had done for them and His sending prophets to call them to repentance.  They are poor and foolish because they refuse to know the way of the Lord and will not receive correction.  Judgments will be poured out upon them because of their evil doings. Jeremiah 5:3-9 "O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that if we love the Lord, we'll keep His commandments, and the Lord will love him and send the Comforter to teach him all things and bring him peace.  We don't need to be troubled or afraid if we truly love the Lord and are willing to do what He tells us to do.  John 14:23-27 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're commanded to love and serve the Lord and keep His commandments.  D&C 59: 5-8 "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it. Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

In the Old Testament we read another verse where the Lord calls Israel to repentance, beckoning them to return to Him and He will put away all their abominations out of His sight.  If we're willing to repent, the Lord is willing to forgive us. Jeremiah 4:1 "If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God does not give us a spirit of fear, but rather of love, power, and a sound mind.  If we're worried and afraid, we can know that these feelings do not come from God, but we can turn to Him to help us overcome them.  2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read of the great blessings that we'll receive if we keep the commandments of God.  We'll be rewarded with the good things of the earth in this life and receive a crown prepared for them in the mansions of the Father in the life to come. D&C 59:1-4 "Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments. For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them. Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength. And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time—they that are faithful and diligent before me."

In the Old Testament I read about how Israel and Judah defiled and polluted the land through their wickedness.  But the Lord sent Jeremiah to call them to repentance and to encourage them to return unto Him and He would be merciful to them and not keep His anger forever.  The Lord loves us and even when we commit terrible sins, He wants us to repent and come back to Him.  He will forgive and be merciful to those who repent.  Jeremiah 3:6-14 "The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.  And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord. And the Lord said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.  Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:"

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the parable of the talents.  We've all heard this before.  The story is really quite simple.  The Lord gave five talents to one servant, two to another, and one talent to a third.  The first two servants used their talents and increased them but the third buried his in the ground and hid it away.  The Lord was very displeased with the third man.  Which servant are we like?  Do we use the talents the Lord has blessed us with to bless the lives of others?  Or do we bury them in the ground?  Are we too shy or too fearful to offer a kind word or a helping hand to others?  If so, we're not putting our God-given talents to work and we need to repent.  Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."