Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read that if we're happy, we need to praise the Lord in prayer and music and thanksgiving.  And if we're sorrowful, we can call upon God in prayer and supplication so that we can find joy in our lives.  D&C 136:28-29 "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.  If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful."

In the New Testament we read that if a person is going to built a tower, they calculate the costs first to make sure they have the money to finish before they even start.  Otherwise, people will laugh at them for having a partially completed tower they can't afford to finish.  If a king is going to make war, we first tries to figure out if he has the manpower and resources to win the battle.  Otherwise, if he has 10,000 soldiers and the enemy has 20,000, he may try to make peace instead.  Likewise, before we become disciples of Christ we need to count the cost and be willing to commit ourselves to forsaking all that we have.  It will not profit us if we partically commit to being a disciple, but when the going gets rough not be able to stay the course. We have to be willing to give our all.   Luke 14:28-33 " For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about how the Lord is our shepherd and we shall not want.  We need fear no evil for He will walk with us, even though the valley of the shadow of death.  He will restore our souls and lead us on the paths we should go.  Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and after our lives on this earth are through, we'll dwell in the House of the Lord forever.  What more could anyone ask for?  Psalms 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
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