Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the Lord appeared in glory to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple and accepted it as His house.  D&C 110:1-7 "The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.  We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.  His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:  I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.  Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house."

In the New Testament we read that instead of laying up for ourselves the treasures of the earth, worldly wealth that can be stolen or rust away, we need to lay up for ourselves heavenly treasures that cannot be taken away from us and which we can enjoy for eternity.  Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recount the parable of the Good Samaritan.  A lawyer had asked Jesus how he might obtain eternal life, and Jesus had answered that he must love the Lord with all his heart and love his neighbor as himself.  The lawyer, wanting to justify himself, asked who his neighbor was.  Jesus then told the parable of the Good Samaritan.  A man fell among thieves and lies beaten on the ground.  Two religious leaders (who you would think would help him) ignore him and pass on by, pretending not to see.  Then a Samaritan comes along and does render aid.  Keep in mind that the Jews despised the Samaritans and would go miles out of their way to avoid them.  But it was a Samaritan who showed compassion for the injured man, and who was truly his neighbor.  Jesus then tells us to go and do likewise.  Are there certain groups of people that we'd just as soon avoid just because of their race or religion or the country they come from?  If so, we have cause to repent.  According to Jesus, they are all our neighbors, and since we are all children of God, they are our brothers and sisters and they deserve our love and kindness.  Luke 10:25-37 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."