Daily Thoughts

In the D&C we read about how Jesus, after His death, organized His forces and appointed messengers to carry the light of the gospel to those who had died, preaching the gospel to those who had died without a knowledge of the truth.  Through the ordinance of vicarious baptism, they would be able to qualify to be judged according to men in the flesh.  Redemption was made possible by the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.  D&C 138:30-35 "But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.  And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel. Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,  And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross."

In the New Testament we're told about signs that will come in the last days.  There will be distress and perplexities, roaring waves and earthquakes, and men's hearts will fail them. And then the Son of Man will come in a cloud, with great power and glory. We can look to these signs and be glad, for they mean that our redemption is drawing near.  Just like watching a fig tree shoot forth shows us that summer is near, so can seeing these signs show us that the coming of the Lord is near.  Even though the heaven and the earth will pass away, the Lord's words will all be fulfilled.  We need to watch and pray so that we can be accounted worthy to escape all the things that will come to pass and be able to stand before the Son of Man.  We need to watch and pray so that the cares of this life won't cause that day to come upon us unawares.  Luke 21:25-36 "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

In some scriptures from a thought booklet we're told to avoid murmuring and disputing, that we might be found blameless and to be like shining lights in a darkened, sinful world.  Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"