Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that we should rejoice and not fear, but allow our hearts to be comforted.  We can rejoice evermore as we give things in all things.  The Lord will answer our prayers if we wait patiently, for all our prayers are recorded in heaven and will be fulfilled.  Everything that we're afflicted with will work together for our good.  D&C 98:1-3 "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;  Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord."

In the Old Testament we read about the wickedness of the children of Israel and their many sins.  Because of this, the land would mourn and the people would languish.  There are consequences to living unrighteous lives. Hosea 4:1-3 "Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.  By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.  Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that if we are righteous and keep the law of the Lord in our hearts, we have nothing to fear from the reproach of men and their revilings.  Instead, they will experience joy and rejoicing and all their sorrow and mourning will flee away.  The Lord will comfort them.  Why should we worry about what puny men shall do, when they will die like grass, when we have the Lord on our side, who created the heavens and the earth and who has all power. This knowledge should give us courage in the face of the fearful situations that come into our lives.  Isaiah 51: 7, 11-16 "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;  And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?  The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.  But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."