Daily Thoughts

In the P of GP we read that Joseph Smith wondered which of these sects could be right and how he could possible find out.  While he was laboring under these extreme difficulties, he was studying the scriptures and came upon a passage in James which told him that any man who lacked wisdom could ask of God.  This scripture came with great power to his heart and after pondering these things at length, he realized that if he was ever going to gain the wisdom that he sought, he was going to have to do as the scriptures direct and ask God.  Joseph Smith History 1:10-13   "In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?  While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to "ask of God," concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture."

In the New Testament we read that we need to set our affection on the Lord and spiritual things, not on the things of the world.  Where do we place our priorities?  Do we care more about worldly wealth or power or fame than we do about pleasing the Lord? Where is our heart, really?  Colossians 3:2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord has created us and redeemed us and we are called by His name and are His.  He will help us and be with us in whatever we go through in life.  Isaiah 43:1-2 " 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."