Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that there is a low irrevocably decreed in heaven that blessings are predicated upon obedience to laws.  If we expect to receive the rewards, we need to obey the laws pertaining to those blessings.  In other words, we can't expect good health if we disobey the Word of Wisdom and we can't expect the Lord to bless us financially if we refuse to pay our tithing.  D&C 130:20-21 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."

In the New Testament we read that the greatest commandment of all is to love the Lord with all our hearts and souls, and the second greatest commandments is to love others as we love ourselves.  The most important thing we can do is to show forth love, which is more important than offerings or sacrifices.  Do we really believe this and live our lives accordingly?  Have we ever been guilty of paying our tithing but treating someone unkindly?  Do we make sure we attend our church meetings but neglect our elderly neighbor who needs assistance?  Do we strictly obey the Word of Wisdom but have a holier than thou attitude toward those who don't? Do we avoid using profanity in our speech but love to spread juicy bits of gossip against others?  Perhaps we need to rethink some of these things and place a higher priority on showing love.  Mark 12:28-34 "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:  And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." 

Some verses with a thought  booklet give a good example of people not listening to the Lord.  When the Lord, through His prophet Moses, told the people not to try to go to battle against their enemies for He was not with them due to their rebellion against Him and their failure to keep His commandments, they did not listen.  They further rebelled and fought the Amorites anyway.  And just as the Lord said would happen, they were defeated.  Then they turned weeping to the Lord, but He would not hear them or hearken to their voice.  If we refuse to listen to the Lord, do you think He's going to listen to us?  Deuteronomy  1:42-45 "And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill. And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.  And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you."