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."