Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lucifer was cast out of heaven for rebellion. He wanted to be exalted above the throne of God, but was brought down to hell. 2 Nephi 24:12-16 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall consider thee, and shall say: Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?"

In the Old Testament we read the sad story of Amnon and Tamar.  Amnon loved his sister Tamar and wanted to have her.  But rather than going through proper channels and asking their father King David for her hand in marriage, he arranged to be alone with her by pretending to be sick and asking her to make him food.  Then he raped her.  After he had done this, his hatred for her became stronger than the "love" he had previously had for her and he sent her away, bolting the door behind him.  She went away crying her eyes out. This demonstrates the difference between love and lust.  He never did love her, but simply lusted after her.  If you really love someone the last thing you'd want to do is hurt them.  And breaking the law f chastity with someone is a terrible way to cause pain and hurt.  If you really love someone you'll want to be committed to them in marriage before any physical intimacy takes place.  2 Samuel 13:1-19 "And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.  And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.  So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.  And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.  And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.  And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.  And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.  Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.  And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.  And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that when a shepherd calls his sheep, they know his voice and follow him.  If they hear the voice of a stranger that they don't know, they will not follow, but will run away.  We need to become so acquainted with the Lord, that we know His voice and can follow Him.  If we know God so well that we recognize His voice, we will not be lead astray by false ideas that claim to be from God.  John 10:3-5 "To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the oppression of the king of Babylon will cease. The whole earth will be at rest and quiet and break forth into singing. Even the trees will rejoice.  2 Nephi 24:4-11 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: How hath the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepters of the rulers.  He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.  The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and also the cedars of Lebanon, saying: Since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us.  Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.  All they shall speak and say unto thee: Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave; the noise of thy viols is not heard; the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee."

In the Old Testament yesterday we read about how David sinned by sleeping with a married woman and getting her pregnant.  Now we read that things went from bad to worse as he arranged to have her husband Uriah killed in battle and then took his widow to be his wife.  This displeased the Lord.  2 Samuel 11:14-15, 26-27 "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we are to love and serve the Lord, and keep His commandments, which He has given us for our good. The commandments weren't given to us to restrict us and take away our fun, they were given to bless us and are for our benefit.  Our lives will be better off and happier if we obey the word of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 10:12-13 "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Israel will be gathered and will enjoy millennial rest.   2 Nephi 24:1-3 "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land; and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them and bring them to their place; yea, from far unto the ends of the earth; and they shall return to their lands of promise. And the house of Israel shall possess them, and the land of the Lord shall be for servants and handmaids; and they shall take them captives unto whom they were captives; and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall give thee rest, from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve."

In the Old Testament we read about how David was on the roof of his house when he saw a beautiful woman bathing.  Instead of looking away, he allowed lust to enter his heart and he send messengers for her to fetch her so he could lie with her, even though she was married to someone else.  She conceived a child by David.  Sometimes, innocently, we come upon things that tempt us.  If we immediately turn away, we can avoid sin.  But if we allow ourselves to harbor unclean thoughts and dwell upon them they can lead to unclean actions which can lead to dire consequences.  2 Samuel 11:2-5 "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.  And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us that blessed are the peacemakers. What do we do to bring peace to stressful situations? Or do we add fuel to the fire? I remember years ago while teaching primary, a 7 year old boy in my class taught me a wonderful lesson about being a peacemaker.  The children were filing into the classroom.  First a little girl came into the room and sat down.  Then a boy came into the room and loudly announced, "Eww!  I'm not sitting by HER!" and sat himself down on the opposite side of the room.  Then a girl came in and loudly exclaimed, "Eww!  I'm not sitting by her either" and sat by the boy. That's when Tyler walked in.  He loudly announced, "Well, I'M not afraid to sit by her!" as he plopped down in the seat next to her. He then looked over to the children on the other side of the room as if to say, "What in the world is wrong with you guys?" They looked down, ashamed, and scooted over to where Tyler and the girl sat. He defused a bad situation that could have been traumatic for a little girl's ego.  What an example!  Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the stars of heaven will not give their light and the sun will be darkened. The world will be punished for their iniquity. The proud will be humbled. The earth will be shaken and removed out of her place. Children will be dashed to pieces before the eyes of their parents. Babylon will be overthrown, as was Sodom and Gommorrah. The wicked will perish.  2 Nephi 23: 10-22 "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.  And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword. Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished.  Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it.  Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.  And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.  And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish."

In the Old Testament we read that God is great and there is no other god like Him.  2 Samuel 7:22 "Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we're merciful to others, we will be blessed and we will receive mercy from God. Do we view others with love, compassion and understanding or are we quick to judge?  When we see others in the grocery store, what are our thoughts?  Are we loving, kind, and concerned or do we think things like "Why would anybody buy that much junk food?"  "I wonder when he last took a bath." "Why doesn't she put some more clothes on to go out in public?"  "Why would anybody want all those tattoos and body piercings?" "She must be a terrible mother to let her kids run around like that."  If we're quick to judge others and condemn them, our hearts are not right before God. When we can look upon others as our brothers and sisters and feel love and compassion toward them, seeing them the way God sees them, only then are we on the right path.  Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about the destruction of Babylon, which is a type of destruction at the Second Coming. It will be a day of wrath and vengeance. 2 Nephi 23:1-9 "The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.  I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness.  The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man's heart shall melt;  And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.  Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it."

In the Old Testament we read that Uzzah stretched forth his hand to steady the ark.  But he was not authorized by the Lord to touch the ark, so the Lord smote him that he died.  The Lord is not pleased with people who take it upon themselves to do work and callings that belong to someone else, even if they're just trying to "steady the ark."  2 Samuel 6:6-7 "And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we will be blessed and filled.  Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that in the millennial day all men will praise the Lord and He will dwell among them.  What a joyous day that will be! 2 Nephi 22:1-6 "And in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.  Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.  And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.  Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

 In the Old Testament we read that inquired of the Lord whether he should go up to the Philistines and whether they would be delivered into his hands.  The Lord told him to go up and David smote them.  2 Samuel 5:18-20 "The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that as God's chosen and dearly beloved people we should show forth compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all charity.  If we have a quarrel against someone else, we need to be forgiving, just as Jesus is forgiving of us. Colossians 3:12-14 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel.  2 Nephi 21:10-16 "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.  And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together; they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.  And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod.  And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt."

In the Old Testament we read that the houses of David and Saul engage in a long war.  David waxes stronger and stronger, as the house of Saul grows weaker.  2 Samuel 3:1 "Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker." 

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are very appropriate for today, telling the story of the birth of Jesus.  Luke 2:1-20 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how in the Millennium animals who would eat each other now will lie down together in peace. They will not hurt nor destroy. And the knowledge of God will cover the earth.  2 Nephi 21:6-9 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

After the death of Saul, David was anointed king. He praised those who had shown kindness to bury Saul.  2 Samuel 2:4-7 "And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.  And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that God is gracious and full of compassion, good to all with His tender mercies.  He is slow to anger.  He upholds us when we fall down and raises up those who are bowed down.  What a great and loving God we have! Psalms 145:8-9, 14 "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge will rest upon Him.  2 Nephi 21:1-5 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Philistines defeated Israel and killed Saul and his sons.  Their bodies are retrieved by the Gileadites and burned. 1 Samuel 31:1-13 "Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons.  And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.  Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.  So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.  And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.  And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.  And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen though the things He has made. So unbelievers are left with no excuse.  Who could look at some of the beauties of nature and not know that a wonderful God had created them?  Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the Lord will humble the haughty and hew them down.  2 Nephi 20:27-34 "And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.  He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages. They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.  Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.  Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.  As yet shall he remain at Nob that day; he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.  Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled. And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord again delivered Saul into David's hands, but David again spares him, refusing to stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed.  1 Samuel 26: 7-25 "So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.  Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.  And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?  David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.  The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.  So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them. Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:  And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?  And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.  This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.  And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.  And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?  Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.  And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.  The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed.  And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to number our days and apply wisdom to our hearts.  Does numbering our days mean that we should mark them off on a calendar?  No, I think it means we should make every day count.  We've only been allotted so many in our lives and eventually our time will be up and we'll find ourselves meeting God face to face.  We'll have to give an accounting for how we're used the limited among of time we were given on this earth.  We need to be wise in how we spend every day we have here.  Psalms 90:12 " So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read few people would be left but the remnant will return unto the mighty God.  2 Nephi 20:19-26 "And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.  The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.  For the Lord God of Hosts shall make a consumption, even determined in all the land.  Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.  For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as his rod was upon the sea so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt."

In the Old Testament we have an interesting story of Nabal, a wicked man that no one could talk to or reason with.  He rebuffs David's men and refuses to give them food.  David determines to go and kill Nabal and all his household.  However, Nabal's wife Abigail intervenes, meeting David with gifts and asking his forgiveness. David is pacified and spares Nabal.  However Nabal dies anyway.  David then sends for Abigail asking her to become his wife.  Interesting story!  1 Samuel 25:5-24, 32-39 "And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.  And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:  They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.  Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:  And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.  So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.

And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that scripture is given to us for our profit and instruction, to guide us in what we should do to perfect ourselves. Scriptures are given through the inspiration of God.  Have you ever had a concern or problem and then as you read your scriptures you found just the thing you needed to hear at that time?  Or do you read your scriptures daily, and sometimes wonder if you're retaining anything, but then in a time of need just the thing you need will pop into your head from what you'd read in the scriptures some time in the past?  These scriptures are special to you and your needs.  Write them down.  Memorize them.  They are God's words to you. Very often when we pray for direction, the answers will come through the scriptures.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that the destruction of Assyria is a type of destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming.  Few people will be left after the Lord comes again.  2 Nephi 20:5-18 "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation.  I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few.  For he saith: Are not my princes altogether kings? Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus? As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and to her idols?  Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;  And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.  Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood! Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his fat ones, leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.  And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day; And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul was pursuing David to kill him when the Lord delivered Saul into David's hands.  David had every opportunity to kill Saul while he slept, but he did not want to raise his hand against the Lord's anointed   Saul realized that David was more righteous then he was and that David would become king.  1 Samuel 24:2-12, 17-20 "Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.  And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.  And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.  David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.  Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.  The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.  And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.  And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand."

Some verses with a thought booklet warn us not to judge others, because we'll be judged with the same judgment we mete out to those around us.  Sometimes people try to remove a tiny speck from the eye of someone else but they can't see it clearly because of the beam in their own eye.  The story is told of someone who was trying to shred some papers at work, but the shredder jammed.  They looked inside and saw a big mass jamming it and spent an hour digging it out, all the time angry at the idiot who had put something plastic in the shredder, causing it to jam.  They kept thinking if they could find the culprit they were going to give him a piece of their mind!  When they finally dislodged what was jamming the shredder they found it was a piece of x-ray film that they themselves had tried to shred!  What a reminder that we should not be so quick to blame somebody else and criticize them for things that we do ourselves.  Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that woe would come to those who turn away the needy and take away from the poor. The Lord's anger will not be turned away form them.  2 Nephi 20:1-4 "Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;  To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!  And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul accused his servants of all conspiring against him and being in league with David.  Doeg told Saul that Ahimelech had helped David and Saul ordered that Ahimelech and the other priests of the Lord be killed. Only Doeg was willing to carry out this order.  1 Samuel 22:7-19 "Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.  And he inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.  Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.  And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?  Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?  Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.  And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet warns us that we can't always trust in friends or family members who will sometimes betray us, but we can always rely on the Lord. We can look to Him and He will hear our prayers.  Micah 7:5-7 "Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read the Lord sent His word unto Jacob and it lighted upon Israel. Because the people refused to turn to the Lord and did not seek after Him, the Lord's anger was not turned away from them. The leaders of the people caused them to err and be destroyed. The Lord's anger is not turned away from the hypocrite and evildoer. The wrath of the Lord darkened the land and the people became as fuel to the fire.   2 Nephi 19:8-21 "The Lord sent his word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel. And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart: The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.  For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts. Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day.  The ancient, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.  Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.  For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.  Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm—  Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

In the Old Testament we read about Saul's continued anger against David and wanting to kill him.  His son Jonathan tried to defend David and the result was that Saul became angry at his son and threw a javelin at him.  Jonathan was very grieved for David.  1 Samuel 20:30-34 "Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?  For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.  And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us how we should treat one another and how we should speak to one another.  We should be kind, forgiving, and try to uplift and encourage those around us--avoiding all anger, bitterness and malice, which grieve the Spirit of God.  Ephesians 4:29-32 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon Isaiah speaks Messianically as we I read that the people who are in darkness will see a great Light.  Unto us a child is born, a son is given and He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He will reign on David's throne.  2 Nephi 19:1-7 "Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations.  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor.  For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul send messengers to David's house to kill him, but David's wife Michal (who was Saul's daughter) helped him escape.  1 Samuel 19:11-18 "Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.  And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.  And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.  And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that there is no reason our hearts need to be troubled or afraid.  Jesus is preparing a place for us in the mansions of His Father. I could die today. So could you.  But that is not a reason to panic or be fearful.  God is stronger than death.  He can handle it.  When we die He is waiting with open arms to receive us.  We can safely trust in Him. And we can safely entrust all our loved ones who have died into His care as well.  John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that we should seek the Lord, not peeping wizards, and we should turn to the law and to the testimony for guidance.  2 Nephi 18:19-22 "And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?  To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and darkness, dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness."

In the Old Testament we read that David behaved wisely and was respected and honored by the people, and even Saul's servants. Saul became jealous of David and tried to kill him. However, David was able to escape.  Saul was afraid of David because he sensed that the Lord's Spirit was with David, but had departed from Saul.  1 Samuel 18:5-9, 11-12 "And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.  And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.  And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?  And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul."

A scriptures with a thought booklet tells us to give and it will be given unto us, in an overflowing amount.  When we're willing to be generous in giving to others, the Lord will be generous in blessing us.  Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that Christ would be as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and many will stumble and fall and be snared and taken.  2 Nephi 18:14-18 "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.  Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.  And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion."

In the Old Testament we read the story of David and Goliath. We're all familiar with this story, but it's more than a story of a youth prevailing against a giant. It's a story of David putting his trust in the Lord.  Even in the face of a giant, David knew that the Lord was on his side.  He had no doubt that just as the Lord had saved him from a lion and a bear, the Lord would save him from the hands of this giant who dared to make light of the God of Israel.  If we have the Lord on our side, it doesn't matter who is against us.  We can prevail against any foe as long as we have the Lord fighting for us. We have nothing to fear!  1 Samuel 17:32-50 "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.  And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.  And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.  And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 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."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet teach us not to hate or resent the Lord's disciple.  He chastises us because He loves us and wants what's best for us, just like any loving father would do. Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:  For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people of far countries should gird themselves for they will be broken in pieces. God was with the children of Israel who were commanded not to walk in the way of the people. They had nothing to fear from others.  2 Nephi 18:1-13 "Moreover, the word of the Lord said unto me: Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen, concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.  And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.  And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me: Call his name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz.  For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. The Lord spake also unto me again, saying: Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;  Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.  And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.  Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.  Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."

In the Old Testament we read a reminder that the Lord doesn't look on our outward appearance, but rather sees the person that we are in our hearts.  Do we judge people because they may not be as attractive as someone else?  Maybe they're handicapped or overweight or can't afford to wear designer clothes.  But these are not the things that God sees when He looks at us.  We need to likewise look deeper and see into a person's heart.  We may find some real treasures there we would otherwise miss.  1 Samuel 16:7 " But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Some verses with a thought booklet teach us to love and interact with people the way Jesus would.  It's not enough to love the nice people who love us back and treat us kindly.  We need to love everyone, including our worst enemies.  Not easy to do, but if were are to be perfect (which we're commanded to be) this is something we need to learn to do.  But the good news is, we don't have to do it on our own.  God will help us if we turn to Him.  Is there someone you have bad feelings for, or who makes you angry every time you think of them?  Pray for them.  Do something good for them.  Ask the Lord to soften your heart toward them.  God loves everyone and sends the rain to the good and evil people alike.  When we're tempted to judge or condemn another person, let's remember that this person is a child of God and He loves them.  Let's try to see them with His eyes.  Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the land will be forsaken of both her kings and there will be briers and thorns where a thousand vines had been.  2 Nephi 17:16-25 "For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.  The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, the king of Assyria.  And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.  And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes. In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.  And it shall come to pass in that day, a man shall nourish a young cow and two sheep;  And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk they shall give he shall eat butter; for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land. And it shall come to pass in that day, every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, which shall be for briers and thorns. With arrows and with bows shall men come thither, because all the land shall become briers and thorns.  And all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and the treading of lesser cattle."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul was commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have.  However, he saved some animals to sacrifice.  The Lord was displeased with this and Samuel told Saul that to obey is better than sacrifice.  Even if we disobey for a "good reason" the Lord will not be pleased with us. We need to do whatever the Lord asks us to do.  1 Samuel 15:3, 9-22 "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.  And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.  And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.  And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?  And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.  Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.  And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?  And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.  Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?  And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.  And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that rather than trusting in our weapons, we should put our trust in God who saves us from our enemies.  We can apply this to our own lives in realizing that rather than trusting in money or ourselves or other people, we can depend on the Lord to help us through whatever situations come our way.  We can smugly think we don't need the Lord because we have lots of money saved up which can carry us through whatever comes our way.  Then we become ill, unable to work, and our savings are quickly depleted with medical bills.  The only thing we can safely rely on is the Lord.  Psalms 44:6-7 "For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us."  

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ahaz refused to ask for a sign.  But the Lord Himself will give a sign that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, Immanuel. He will refuse the evil and choose the good.   2 Nephi 17:10-15 "Moreover, the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying:  Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depths, or in the heights above. But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul built an altar unto the Lord, tried to draw close to Him,  and asked counsel of God if he should go to battle, but the Lord didn't answer him that day.  Sometimes when there is something amiss in our lives or we have not been keeping the commandments, it takes time before the Lord will answer our prayers again and we are worthy to have the Spirit with us.  Repentance isn't always an immediate process, but it is possible to turn our lives around and become clean again if we persist in doing what's right.  1 Samuel 14:35-37 "And Saul built an altar unto the Lord: the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord. And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.  And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that whether we live or die, it is unto the Lord.  Christ died and was resurrected and is Lord of both the living and the dead.  Romans 14:8-9 "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ephraim and Syria will wage war against Judah but not be able to prevail against it.   2 Nephi 17:1-9 "And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.  And it was told the house of David, saying: Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.  Then said the Lord unto Isaiah: Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;  And say unto him: Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.  Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying: Let us go up against Judah and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, yea, the son of Tabeal. Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be established."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul made a burnt offering when he was not authorized to do so and they Lord rejected him as a result.  All things must be done in order and we should not attempt to do things that we have no authority to do.  1 Samuel 13:9-14 "And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.  And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to give thanks to God ALWAYS for ALL things. It's easy to thank Him for blessings and good things that come into our lives.  And it's easy to feel thankful during times when things are going well.  But what about times when we're experiencing difficulties or things aren't going so well?  Can we give thanks unto God then?  Even our trials and tribulations have a purpose.  They help us grow and develop into the people we need to  be.  They teach us patience.  They help make us more sensitive to other people who are going through similar difficulties.  Can we be grateful for our trials, and thank God ALWAYS and in ALL things?  Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Isaiah was called to prophesy.  He prophesies of the rejection of Christ's teachings by the Jews and how the land will be made utterly desolate, but that a remnant shall return. 2 Nephi 16:8-13 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me. And he said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed.  Then said I: Lord, how long? And he said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate; And the Lord have removed men far away, for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.  But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and shall be eaten, as a teil tree, and as an oak whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof."

In the Old Testament we read Samuel's words to the children of Israel, reminding them of how the Lord delivered them out of Egypt but then the people forgot about Him and served other gods.  But when they repented the Lord delivered them again.  Then they again forsook the Lord, wanting a king to rule over them when they had the Lord to be their king.  But even then the Lord said that if the people and their king would keep the commandments and not rebel, the Lord would do great things before their eyes.  The Lord is ever ready to forgive and bless us if we'll just be willing to repent and obey His commandments.  1 Samuel 12:6-16, 20-25 "And Samuel said unto the people, It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.  Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers.  When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.  And when they forgat the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.   And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.  And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over you.  If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:  But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers. Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;  And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.  For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:  Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.  But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that God wants us to use he gifts He has given us to serve and edify others.  Rather than being envious of somebody else's gifts, we should all work together so that everyone benefits. The story is told of a lady who attended a church meeting where someone gave a very powerful, moving message.  Then she went to the restroom and found another woman crying.  When asked what was wrong the woman told her that she wished she could speak like that.  The other woman reminded her that she was a gifted pianist who had lifted the spirits of the whole congregation on many occasions and instead of envying the person who was a great public speaker, she should rejoice that God had given her such great musical talents.  Then she said "I'd give anything if I could play the piano like you do."  Then she realized the irony of what she'd just said, and they both had a good laugh.  Ephesians 4:11-16 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."