Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that the elders in the church are to go forth among all nations and proclaim the gospel, calling people to repentance.  D&C 133:7-16 "Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews. And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about. Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour. Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion.  And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord's house. Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon. But verily, thus saith the Lord, let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.  Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent."

In the New Testament we read bout how a faithful man named Simeon who had received the knowledge by revelation that he would not see death until he had seen Jesus Christ.  The Spirit led him to the temple where Mary and Joseph had brought Jesus and Simeon took the baby into his arms and gave a prayer of thanks to God, knowing that having beheld him he could now depart this life in peace, having seen the salvation of God prepared for His people.  Being able to behold the Christ child was a tender mercy granted by God to a faithful man who had lived a righteous life. Luke 2:25-33 "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we are precious beyond measure in the sight of God.  He created us and redeemed us and He will be with us, whether we're facing mighty rivers or raging fires.  He is our God and we are His people and He loves us.  A woman told a story about how she spent weeks nursing a sick goldfish back to health.  Miraculously, he survived and thrived. He became her favorite and she'd watch particularly for him when she'd feed her fish.  She had invested time and effort into him, so he became more valuable to her.  Imagine how much our Savior must love and value us after He suffered and died for us. We are of infinite worth to Him.  Isaiah 43:1-4 "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life."

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