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."