Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that church positions held by those who are not faithful shall be given to others.  D&C 114:2 "For verily thus saith the Lord, that inasmuch as there are those among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and receive their bishopric. Amen."

In the New Testament we read the parable of the sower.  Just like seed can be sown in different kinds of ground and the results vary, so when people hear the word of God the results vary according to the state of their heart.  When a seed is planted in a stony place it cannot get root.  It springs up for a time but then dies. Likewise some people receive the word of God with joy, but if they're not rooted and grounded in their faith, as soon as persecution or tribulation arise, they abandon their new found faith.  Or if a seed is planted among thorns it can be choked out, just like a person who allows the cares of the world or a love of riches to take over their lives at the expense of the gospel.  However, a seed planted in good ground brings forth fruit, just like a person who accepts the gospel with a faithful heart bears forth fruit.  Matthew 13:18-23 "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."


A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord comforts us and helps us during difficult times and then brings us alongside someone else who is going through tribulations so that we can likewise comfort them.  When we're suffering through a hard trial, it can be a consoling thing to know that someone else has gone through the same thing and survived.  Often the person who can comfort others the best is a person who has likewise suffered.  2 Corinthians 1:4 "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."