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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Daily Thoughts

In the P of GP we read that despite the persecution heaped upon him, Joseph Smith could not deny the vision which he had had, and nothing could make him deny it.  Joseph Smith History 1:24-25  "However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

In the New Testament we're told to comfort each other and edify other people.  When someone is sad, to we do our best to comfort them?  Do we try to build other people up and lift their spirits?  1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell of the woman take in adultery who was brought before Jesus.  The men who brought her were prepared to stone her for her sins.  Jesus told them that whoever was without sin among them should cast the first stone.  They all examined their hearts and realized that they, too, were guilty of sin, and they all slunk away.  Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more.  Often we're quick to condemn other people and find fault with them for things they've done wrong.  But who among us is perfect?  We've all done things that are wrong and we're all guilty.  We're all in need to repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ.  None of us has the right to judge someone else.  It's our job to live our own lives the best we can and to love other people, not find fault with them.  John 8:3-11 "And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,  They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

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