Daily Thoughts

In the D&C I read about how Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared and committed their keys of their dispensations.  D&C 110:11-16 "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.  After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:  Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse— Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors."

In the New Testament we read about how the wise man who obeyed the commandments of the Lord was like a man building his house upon a solid rock foundation.  When storms and winds arose, his house stood firm.  However, a man who refuses to listen to what the Lord says is foolish and is like a man who builds his house on a foolish foundation.  When rain and storms arise, his house is washed away.  If we keep the commandments in our lives, we're building on a firm foundation so we can remain on solid ground when trials and tribulations arise in our lives.  If we don't have this solid foundation, we're liable to be swept away.  Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."


Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about the Pharisee and the publican.  The Pharisee was proud and self-righteous.  When he prayed, it was to thank God that he wasn't like other men who committed sins and to brag about how he fasted and paid his tithing.  On the other hand, the publican was humble and repentant.  Jesus said that the publican was more justified than the Pharisee.  Those who exalt themselves will be abased and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  When we examine ourselves and our own attitudes, who are we more like--the Pharisee or the publican?  Do we sometimes look down at other people and think we're better than they are because we aren't guilty of the sins that they are?  We need to remember that one of the worst sins is pride and being judgmental of others.  Luke 18:9-14 "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."