Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we need to study wisdom out of the best books, seeking learning by both study and faith.  We need to organize ourselves and establish houses of prayer, fasting faith, learning and order.  We need everything we do to be done in the name of the Lord.  D&C 88:118-120 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High."

In the Old Testament we read that all fish, fowls, animals, and people on the face of the earth will shake at the presence of the Lord, and even mountains will fall down.  Ezekiel 38:20 "So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that faith without works is dead.  It's not enough to say we believe, we need to show by our actions that we believe.  If we claim to have faith in Christ but don't keep the commandments, our faith is dead.  If we pray for those in need but don't do anything to help them, our faith is in vain.  We need to not only speak the right words, but do the right actions as well, and show our faith by our works.  James 2:14-26 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that when Christ comes, the righteous who are still alive will be caught up to meet him and the righteous dead will be resurrected and caught up to meet Him.  What a glorious day that will be! If we're righteous, it won't matter if we're alive or dead, the result will be the same--we'll be caught up to meet the Lord.   D&C 88:96-97 "And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—"


In the Old Testament we read that the Lord can make is clean from all our filthiness.  He can give us a new heart to replace our stony one and put a new spirit within us, so that we can walk in His statutes and keep His commandments. If we're having trouble doing what's right, we need to turn ourselves over to the Lord and allow Him to change us and help us make our hearts right.  Ezekiel 36:25-27 "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites and brought their gods with him to be his gods.  He bowed himself down before them and burned incense unto them.  Of course this made the Lord angry and he sent a prophet to him to ask him why on earth he'd do such a stupid thing--worship gods who were so powerless that they couldn't deliver the people who had fallen by Amaziah's hand. Aren't people silly sometimes in their ridiculous sins?  2 Chronicles 25:14-15 "Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about the great earthquakes, thundering and lightening and tsunamis that will come before the second coming of Christ.  Men's hearts will fail them because of the great fear that will come upon them.  D&C 88:87-91 "For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree. And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord would bless Israel and multiply both men and beasts   Ezekiel 36:8-11 "But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.  For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that everything the Lord had spoken all came to pass.  No good thing the Lord said would happen failed to take place.  The Lord always keeps His promises!  Joshua 21:45 "There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we are to warn and testify to the people.  Every person who has been warned needs to warn his neighbor, so that each person is left without excuse and their sins will be upon their own heads.  D&C 88:81-82 "Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads."

In the Old Testament we read about people coming to hear the prophet of the Lord and listening to what he has to say, which is like music to their ears.  In yet they don't do what he tells they to do.  They hear his words, but they don't obey them.  Are we sometimes guilty of this?  Do we listen to general conference and say, "Oh, what a wonderful talk!" but we don't take it to heart and actually do what we've been told to do? It's important to not only listen to the words of the prophet, but actually obey what he tells us to do.   Ezekiel 33:30-33 "Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord.  And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us to forget about the things in the past and reach for our goals in the future, pressing forward.  Some people are very fearful drivers--concentrating on things on either side of them that they're trying to avoid hitting, rather than looking ahead on the road to where they want to go. If we'll keep our eyes focused on our goals and press forward toward that mark we'll have much better success.  Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we're commanded to continue in fasting and prayer and to teach others the doctrines of the Kingdom.  If we diligently teach others, the Lord's grace will attend us.  D&C 88: 76-78 "Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth.  And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;"

In the Old Testament we read that when a watchman is set to keep watch over a city, he is responsible to raise the warning voice if he sees enemies coming to attack.  If he raises his voice in warning and people ignore him, their blood will be on their own heads.  But if he doesn't do his job of providing warning, their blood will be on his head.  So likewise is this true of those the Lord has called to raise a voice of spiritual warning when people are in need of repentance.  Ezekiel 33: 1-9 "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;  Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.  He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.  But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord had had all He could take of murmurers!  In fact, He threatened to have all their carcases fall in the wilderness.  The Lord is very displeased when we grumble and complain. And other people don't like to be around us either!  In fact, when we murmur it makes us unhappy, as well as everyone around us.  See if you can look for the good, the positive, in your life today, and stop complaining!  Numbers 14:26-29 "And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,  How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.  Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we draw near unto the Lord, He will draw near unto us, and He will give us everything we ask for that is expedient for us.  D&C 88:63-64 "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;"

In the Old Testament we read that even though Pharaoh was as mighty as a lion or a whale, the Lord was able to bring him down and destroy him.  No matter how great a person or a nation thinks they are, they are powerless when compared to the Lord.  Ezekiel 32:1-15 "And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers. Thus saith the Lord God; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net. Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.  And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.  I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee. And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord God.  I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known. Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall. For thus saith the Lord God; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.  By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed. I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them. Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord God. When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tell us that we are the apple of God's eye and He will hide us safely under the shadow of His wing.  A lady would love to tell her nieces and nephews, "God loves all His children, but I'm His favorite."  Then after a pause and with a twinkle in her eye she'd add "and so are you!"  We're all God's favorites, the apple of His eye! He loves each and every one of us so much!  Psalms 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings," 

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read a wonderful verse that's almost like a poem in describing the heavens and the earth.  D&C 88:45 "The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord would send destruction to the wicked nations and destroy their idols.  Ezekiel 30:12-17 "And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the Lord have spoken it. Thus saith the Lord God; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.  And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.  And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily. The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us it is better to have little but be righteous than to have great worldly wealth without doing right.  Sometimes people will use dishonest business practices in order to get ahead financially--cheating other people, misrepresenting products, or selling inferior merchandise.  Any extra money they may gain from such things will not be worth it in the end. What really matters is our relationship with the Lord. We can't take our money with us when we die, so how much money we had will be of no importance then.   Proverbs 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that in order for a person to profit from a gift they need to receive that gift.  Are we willing to receive the gifts the Lord has offered us, and rejoice in Him for giving them to us?  D&C 88:33 "For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift."

In the Old Testament we read that the vengeance of the Lord would fall upon wicked nations. Those who are evil will suffer the rebuke of the Lord.  Ezekiel 25:13-17 "Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God. Thus saith the Lord God; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."

Some verses with a thought booklet are familiar ones we've all probably heard before.  In fact, I remember a song quoting these verses that was popular back when I was a teenager, "Turn, Turn, Turn."  It talks about how there is a time for everything, a season for every purpose under heaven.  Sometimes it's the right time to speak. Other times it's the right time to be silent.  Sometimes it's the time to plant; other times is time to reap what we've planted.  There's a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to rend and a time to sew.  This is the way life is.  When we're young it might our season for going to school and learning. Later on it may be our season for marriage and raising a family, for careers and church callings.  In our older years and perhaps with failing health, we have different but still important things to do, perhaps just serving as a listening ear to a troubled person or praying for those in need.  Perhaps we have lessons of wisdom to pass on to children and grandchildren. Perhaps we need to provide opportunities for others to grow through serving us. No matter what our age or stage in life, we still have a purpose (if we didn't, the Lord would have already taken us home to Him).  Our job is to be in tune to figure out what it is He wants us to do and then go forth and do it.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read the the Lord is pleased with us when we assemble ourselves together to receive the will of the Lord and to pray.  He will send us His Comforter, as He promised, and which will give us eternal life in the celestial kingdom.  D&C 88:1-4 "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together to receive his will concerning you: Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world. Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;"

In the Old Testament we're told that the Lord keeps His word.  If He speaks it, it will come to pass.  He doesn't go back on what He says.  Ezekiel 24:14 "I the Lord have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord God."

In some verses with a thought booklet we're told to be patient, for the coming of the Lord is near.  Now keep in mind that this was written nearly 2,000 year ago!  But in the time table of the Lord, what's a couple of thousand years?  So when will Jesus come again?  We don't know.  Only Heavenly Father and Jesus know that.  But we're told to be patient and to prepare for His coming.  Are we living our lives so we'll be ready?  Are we waiting patiently?  Or are we like the little child riding in the back seat who asks for the thousandth time, "Are we there yet?" James 5:7-8 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about the great calamities that will fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.  We need to stand in holy places and not be moved, until the Lord comes again.  D&C 87:6-8 "And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations; That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies. Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read about the judgments of God coming upon Jerusalem because of her wickedness.  Her lewdness and whoredoms would be discovered and the Lord would deal with her hatefully.  When we sin, we will eventually reap the punishments we deserve, unless we repent.  Ezekiel 23:28-30 "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated: And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.  I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can put our trust in God, for He will preserve us.  Psalms 16:1 " Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read the meaning of the parable of the wheat and the tares.  D&C 86:1-11 "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares: Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed; And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness. But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender— Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned. Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—   For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God— Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began. Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. The Lord hath said it. Amen."

In the Old Testament I read Ezekiel cataloging the sins of the people in Jerusalem, how they were guilty of shedding blood, making idols, profaning the Sabbath,  committing immoral acts, and making dishonest gain.  The Lord would cause other countries to mock them because of their iniquities, and they would be scattered and slain for their filthiness.  Ezekiel 22:1-15 "Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord God, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself. Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries. Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed. Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood. In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow. Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.  In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.  And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord God. Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.  Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it. And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee."

In some verses with a thought booklet it tells us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.  Just like a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it's connected to the vine, we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Jesus.  We depend on Him to produce good fruit that will nourish the people in our lives.  The story is told of a tree that fell down in a storm and within a few days the leaves were withering.  When they were no longer receiving nourishment from the tree, they died.  Likewise, we will spiritually die if we lose our connection with the Lord.  John 15:4-6 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we should all labor in the callings we have been given, for each is important and necessary, just like the various parts of the body are needed for their different functions.  D&C 84:109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."

In the Old Testament we read that those who are low will be exalted and those who are high will be abased--the crown and diadem will be removed from them.  Ezekiel 21:26 "Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet say that we should be lowly and gentle and longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.  When we see others struggling, do we ignore them and continue on our way, or do we gently and lovingly do what we can to help them bear their burdens.  Ephesians 4:1-2 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that those who are strong in the Spirit should succor the weak and edify them in meekness, helping them to become strong also.  It's important to reach out to those who are struggling and help to lift them up.  D&C 84: 106 "And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord commanded His children to walk in His statues, observe His judgments, observe His Sabbaths, which would be a sign between Him and them, that they might know that He is the Lord their God.  However, they rebelled against Him and refused to obey the commandments.  They polluted His Sabbaths and refused to walk in His statutes.  So the anger and fury of the Lord was upon them.  Ezekiel 20:19-21 "I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we will search for the Lord with all our heart and soul, we will find Him.  Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're told that we should not be unduly worried about what we'll eat and wear.  Just as the Lord takes care of the lilies of the field, He knows what things we stand in need of and will take care of us.  And as we try to spread His gospel, He will help us know what to say in the very hour we need it.  D&C 84:81-85 "Therefore, take ye no thought for the morrow, for what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed. For, consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory, are not arrayed like one of these. For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things. Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself. Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man."

In the Old Testament we read that when a wicked man repents of his sins and turns from his evil ways, the Lord forgives him.  However, if a righteous man turns from his righteous ways and commits iniquity, he will die.  In other words, we need to endure to the end and remain righteous.  And if we're evil, we need to repent now and change our ways.  Ezekiel 18:24-32 "But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how God created this beautiful world for our enjoyment and blessed it abundantly, providing water for crops to grow and clothing the pastures with flocks.  Indeed, we should shout and sing for joy as we bask in the wonderful creations of the Lord. Psalms 65:9-13 "Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that signs will follow those who believe--they'll be able to do many wonderful works, casting out devils, healing the sick, and being protected from poison. However, we should not boast about these things to the world.  D&C 84:65-73 "And these signs shall follow them that believe— In my name they shall do many wonderful works; In my name they shall cast out devils; In my name they shall heal the sick; In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf; And the tongue of the dumb shall speak;  And if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them; And the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them. But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation."

In the Old Testament we read that Sodom was full of pride and was haughty.  She had bread in abundance but did not help the poor and needy.  Because of these abominations before the Lord, He took her away.  Ezekiel 16:49-50 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to ponder the precepts of the Lord and seek the Lord with out whole hearts, that we won't wander from the commandments of God or sin against Him.  We should delight ourselves in His statutes and not forget His word.  Psalms 119:9-16 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we must be diligent in heeding the words of the Lord.  We should live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God.  D&C 84:43-44 "And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord commanded Ezekiel to make known to Jerusalem all her abominations.  In order for people to repent, the first thing they need to do is to become aware that they are sinning.  Ezekiel 16:1-2 "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,"

In some verses with a thought booklet we read advice that we should not weary ourselves just to become wealthy.  When we set our eyes on worldly wealth, our riches can fly away like they have wings.  Money can come and go and is of no lasting eternal value.  Instead of placing our hearts on worldly gain, let's place our affections on the things of God.  Proverbs 23:4-5 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we're told how the priesthood ordinances and authority is necessary for the power of godliness to be manifest unto men in the flesh.  D&C 84:21 "And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;"

In the Old Testament we read more about prophets who prophecy lies to the people, telling them there will be peace when that is not true, or telling them they do not sin when they do.  Things are the kinds of things that people want to hear and someone who tells them such things can become a popular preacher.  This is true today as well, when mega churches don't preach a thing against sin but flocks of people attend, donating lots of money.  But is that kind of preaching beneficial to people or harmful?  Today's scriptures say it's harmful.  It makes righteous people sad and it falsely promises life to the wicked so they don't repent or return from their evil ways.  You're not doing people any favors by telling them that their sins are not sins and that it's okay to do break the commandments of God.  Ezekiel 14:16, 22 "Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us not to depart from the Word of God, but to do everything written in it. We're reminded that if the Lord commands us to do something, we need to be strong and have good courage to do it.  We have nothing to be afraid of because the Lord will be with us wherever we go, and if we keep His commandments the Lord will bless us. Joshua 1:8-9 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that those who sin and harden their hearts against the covenants they have made with the Lord will be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan.  That sounds like a pretty scary fate!  D&C 82:21 "And the soul that sins against this covenant, and hardeneth his heart against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church, and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption."

In the Old Testament the Lord warns against false prophets who foolishly prophesy their own desires instead of the will of the Lord.  These lying prophets will prophesy peace and give the people false hope when the Lord has said there would be no peace.  Ezekiel 13:1-10 "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.  They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.  Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken? Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God. And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:"

In a scripture with a thought booklet we read that Jesus sent the multitudes away and went up into a mountain away from everybody so He could be alone to pray.  If Jesus needed quiet time alone so He could commune with His Father, how much more do each of us need this in our lives?  It's important that we take time every day to pray, study scriptures, and have some alone time with our Father in Heaven.  Matthew 14:23 "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that when we do what the Lord commands us, He is bound to keep the promises He has made to us.  But if we don't do what He says, we'll lose out on the blessings that would have been ours.  D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord would eventually gather His people who had been scattered, and give them the land of Israel.  He would put a new heart in them to replace their stony heart and they would walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances.  They would be His people and He would be their God.  Ezekiel 11:17-20 "Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.  And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how the Lord instructed the people to take twelve stones gathered from the Jordon River and make a memorial with them to remind the children of Israel about how the Lord had dried up the waters so they could pass over on dry ground.  This would serve as a reminder that the hand of the Lord is mighty.  Are we prone to forget how the hand of the Lord has blessed us in our lives?  Do we not always remember the miracles that have occurred in our lives?  Perhaps we need reminders to help us remember, such as journal entries recording the details of the ways the Lord has blessed us.  Humans have a tendency to forget, so it's important to have things that will job our memories.  Joshua 4:20-24 "And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?  Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.  For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:  That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that where much is given, much is required.  If we have greater light and knowledge and don't live up to what we know to be right, our condemnation will be greater than it would be for someone who sins in ignorance. The more we know, the more that will be expected of us.   D&C 82:3 "For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation."

In the Old Testament we read how Ezekiel saw the identifying of the righteous and the slaughter of all the others due to their exceeding great wickedness.  Ezekiel 9:1-11 " He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.  And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:  Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.  And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that twelve priests were to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, one man from each tribe.  In order to cross the Jordan river with the ark, the prists were to walk into the river, and as soon as their feet touched the water, the water from upstream would stop flowing and they'd be able to cross on dry ground.  The Lord performed a miracle!  But isn't it interesting that He didn't stop the overflowing river until AFTER the priests went forth and got their feet wet.  They first had to step forth in faith before the miracle occurred.  Likewise we need to keep moving forth in faith, even into scary situations, trusting in the Lord that He will protect us and He will provide the way for us to keep going.  Sometimes we have to step into the unknown darkness before the Lord shows us the light and we can see the path to follow. Joshua 3:11-17 "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.  And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we'll forgive others their trespasses against us, we'll be forgiven by the Lord.  D&C 82:1 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you."

In the Old Testament we read about how judgment will come upon the people because of their abominations.  The Lord will not pity nor spare them but will recompense them for all the evil that they have done.  Just because the Lord is loving and merciful, that does not mean that He will save the unrepentant and spare them their deserved punishments if they refuse to change their wicked ways and hearken unto Him.  The Lord will forgive us if we repent, but if we persist in our rebellion, we will indeed have to someday suffer the consequences of our actions.  Ezekiel 7:1-5 "Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.  And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come."

In some verses with a thought booklet we're reminded to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and the other things we need will be added unto us.  If we keep our priorities right, the Lord will bless us with what we need.  We're also reminded that we should not worry unduly about what tomorrow will bring.  We have enough concerns today to worry about without worrying about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  Sometimes we allow worry about the future to crowd out the joys of today.  The story is told of a man who was just about to be released from prison after nine years.  He was worried about who would hire him as an aging ex-con in a bad economy.  Where would he live?  Would he be able to afford food?  Could he buy a car?  While thinking these thoughts one of his fellow inmates shouted out, "Boy, I sure wish I was in your shoes!"  Suddenly he realized what a great blessing it was to be regaining his freedom and felt bad he was allowing the joy of that to be crowded out with all his worry.  I think all of us often do the same thing.  We're so worried about aspects of the future we're uncertain about that we fail to appreciate all the joys and blessings that surround us.  Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read how the Lord told Frederick G. Williams that if he is faithful in his ministry that the Lord has appointed to him, lifting up the hands that hang down and strengthening the feeble and weak, he will receive immortality and eternal life in the mansions that the Father has prepared for him.  I think this is true for all of us.  If we live our lives trying to serve and help others and do our best to fulfill whatever the Lord calls us to do, we'll receive eternal life.  D&C 81:5-6 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father."

In the Old Testament we read about how the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel telling him that he was to be a watchman to the House of Israel, to warn them to forsake their wicked ways.  If he gave them warning and they repented of their wickedness, their lives would be saved.  If he warned them and they refused to listen, their blood would be on their own heads because they had been warned but would not heed the warning.  However, if Ezekiel refused to warn them, their blood would be upon his own head.  Ezekiel 3:16-19 "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the familiar story of David and Goliath.  The young man who had no armor went to fight the huge formidable giant who everybody was afraid of.  But David was not afraid because he knew he had the Lord on His side.  And he was able to slay Goliath with a single stone. When we have gigantic problems in our lives they might appear as Goliath, formitable foes that anyone should be afraid of.  But if we have the Lord on our side, He will fight our battles for us and strengthen us so that we can triumph over all our foes. 1 Samuel 17:40-50 "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.  And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we are like little children who don't understand all the wonderful blessings that our Heavenly Father has in store for us.  But we can be of good cheer because He will lead us along and the Kingdom will be ours, and the riches of eternity will be ours.  If we receive all things with thankfulness, we will be made glorious and if we remain faithful and are wise in our stewardships, we will inherit all things.  D&C 78:17-22 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you; For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion. And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord called Ezekiel to be a prophet and to go to the rebellious House of Israel and preach to them His word.  He should not be afraid of them even though they are stiff hearted and are transgressors, but he should take heed not to become rebellious like they are.  Ezekiel 2:1-8 " And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that we can either choose to obey the Lord and be righteous, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ, or we can be servants of sin, the wages of which are death.  Romans 6:16-23 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that animals of all kinds have spirits which are in the likeness of their bodies and will dwell in heaven and paradise with men in happiness.  Sometimes people wonder whether or not their pets will be able to join them in the afterlife.  I've always felt that they would, but this scripture gives us the answer that such is the case.  To me heaven would not be heaven if I couldn't have my cats there.  D&C 77:2 "Q. What are we to understand by the four beasts, spoken of in the same verse? A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.

In the Old Testament we read Jeremiah's prayer, reciting the sorrowful state of Zion due to her iniquities.  Lamentations 5:1-22 "Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows. We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us. Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.  We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.  Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.  Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured. They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood. The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick. The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it. Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read David's plea that the Lord restore unto him the joy of salvation and grant him a willing spirit to sustain him.  Then he could teach sinners the ways of the Lord so they could be converted.  Before we can go out and preach the gospel to others, we need to have joy in our own salvation.  Our own hearts need to be right before we can help others find the joy of the gospel.  Psalms 51:12-13 "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
-----------------------------------

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we see a comparison between the three degrees of glory.  The celestial is likened to the sun, the terrestrial is likened to the moon, and the telestial is likened to the stars.  D&C 76: 91-93 "And thus we saw the glory of the terrestrial which excels in all things the glory of the telestial, even in glory, and in power, and in might, and in dominion. And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;  Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord is good to those who wait for Him and seek for Him.  It is good that we hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.  Lamentations 3:25-26 "The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord."

In some verses with a thought booklet, Jesus explained why he spoke in parables.  He wanted His disciples to understand the truths and mysteries He was teaching, but others would hear but not listen, their ears being "dull of hearing."  They refused to understand with their hearts which would have caused them to be converted and healed by the Lord.  Matthew 13:10-17 "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about the inhabitants of the telestial kingdom, who did not receive the gospel of Jesus Christ nor the testimony of Jesus. They will be thrust down to hell.  The inhabitants of this kingdom are as numerable as the sands on the seashore. D&C 76:81-85, 109 "And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who are thrust down to hell.  These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work.  But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;"

In the Old Testament we read about the destruction that befalls Jerusalem because of its wickedness.  Its enemies are able to swallow it up and devour it, just as the Lord had said would happen. Both the young and the old lie on the ground in the streets, slain in the day of the Lord's anger.  Lamentations 2:15-17, 21-22 "All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth? All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. The Lord hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries. The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied. Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the Lord's anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed."

In the scriptures with a thought booklet we read David's words of advice to his son Solomon, telling him that he would build a house to the Lord, but that he would need to keep the commandments of the Lord.  If he would do this, the Lord would bless him to possess the good land and leave it for an inheritance to his children.  But Solomon would need to serve the Lord with a perfect heart and a wiling mind and seek Him while He may be found.  But if he would forsake the Lord, he would be cast off forever.  The Lord had chosen him to build His house.  Now he needed to be strong and do it! The Lord has a work for all of us to do.  And whatever it is we've been called to perform, we need to keep the commandments, seek the Lord, and then go forth and do the work the Lord has for us to do!  1 Chronicles 28:8-10 "Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about those who inherit the terrestrial kingdom of glory, which differs from the celestial like the moon differs from the sun. These are people who died without law.  They didn't receive the testimony of Jesus in the flesh but afterwards received it.  They were honorable men of the earth who had been blinded by the craftiness of men and who were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus.  D&C 76:71-79  "And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament. Behold, these are they who died without law;  And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;  Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.  These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God."

In the Old Testament we read about how Jeremiah laments the miserable state of Jerusalem which it suffers because of its sins and transgressions.  Lamentations 1:11-16, 20-22 "All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O Lord, and consider; for I am become vile. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up. The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress. For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death. They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.  Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that even though we haven't seen Jesus Christ, we believe in Him and love Him, which brings us great joy.  And the end result of this faith will be the salvation of our souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9 "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about those who inherit celestial glory, coming forth in the resurrection of the just.  They have been baptized in the correct manner and have received the Holy Ghost.  They have kept the commandments and their names are written in heaven.  D&C 76:50-53, 68-70   "And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just— They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical."

In the Old Testament we read about what happened due to the wickedness of the people.  There was famine in the land and the city was broken up.  The Chaldeans took the king, slew his sons, put out his eyes, and bound him in chains, casting him into prison for the est of his life.  Jeremiah 52:6-11 "And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land. Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain. But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him. Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.  And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah. Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God's way is perfect and His word has been tested and tried.  The Lord is a buckler (or shield) to all those who trust in Him.  If we want to be protected or shielded from dangers and evils, we need to place our trust in the Lord and in His perfect way.  We need to obey His word.  Psalms 18:30 "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that everyone except the sons of perdition will be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead through the triumph and glory of the Lamb, who was slain for the sins of the world and came to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  D&C 76:39-42 " For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us— That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him;"

In the Old Testament we read about the judgments and destruction and desolation that will befall Babylon because of her sins.  Israel is commanded to flee from Babylon or they too will suffer the vengeance of the Lord. Jeremiah 51:1-6 "Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;  And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.  Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host. Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets. For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.  Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that all things work together for our good when we love God.  The story is told about a woman who had a bothersome mole that she prayed would disappear.  But it didn't go away.  So she finally went to the doctor.  The mole was harmless but the doctor found another problem that would have proved fatal had she not gotten it treated.  So she was grateful God had not answered her prayer to have the mole disappear because otherwise she wouldn't have sought medical help when she needed to.  God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want him to, but we can trust in Him to answer them in the way that is best for us.  Sometimes the very things we pray to have removed out of our lives are the things that are necessary for us in order for us to grow and progress or they are for our best good in some way.  We can trust in the Lord to work things out for our good.  Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about the sons of perdition and the horrible fate they will suffer, having known the power of God and been made partakers thereof, but allowing themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome and deny the truth and defy the power of God.  D&C 76:31-38 "Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power— They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come— Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—  And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath."

In the Old Testament we read that the proud will stumble and fall and nobody will lift him up.  The Lord will kindle and fire and devour all around him.  The fate of the proud is not good!  Jeremiah 50:32 "And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others.  In other words, the most important thing we can do is to love, and all other commandments hang on this.  Think of other commandments.  How many of them would be break if we truly loved God and others?  Would we steal from someone we really loved?  Would we take the Lord's name in vain if we truly moved Him?  Would we murder if we had love for our fellowman? If we truly loved the Lord, wouldn't we delight in praying to Him and studying the scriptures?  Would we hesitate to pay our tithes and offerings?  Indeed, if we love God and love others, we'll automatically keep the other commandments.  And by this can all men know if we are Jesus' disciple, if we have one for one another.  Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about how Satan rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven and thrust out of the presence of God and the Son. D&C 76:25-27 "And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,  And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.  And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!"

In the Old Testament we read about the destruction that would come upon the wicked nations.  Their might and pride would deceive them.  Even if they tried to hide in the clefts of the rock, or as high as an eagle's nest, the Lord would bring them down.  There is no getting away from the Lord.  Jeremiah 49:16 "Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we are never at fault in what we say, we are a perfect man and are able to bridle our entire bodies.  How important are the words that come out of our mouths?  One woman was told that her newest granddaughter had inherited her mouth.  Indeed, the little baby's lips did seem to resemble hers.  This got her thinking.  What if her granddaughter also inherited the words that came out of her mouth?  This thought gave her pause.  Sometimes she tended to be negative, critical, or angry.  She decided she needed her mouth to get a makeover if she wanted her granddaughter to take after her.  We can use our words to encourage, uplift, and build, or we can use them to tear down and destroy.  The choice is ours.  James 3:2 "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
------------------------------------------------------