Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lehi had a dream or vision which caused him to rejoice in the hope that Nephi and Sam would be saved and also many of their seed.  However, he had reason to fear for the fate of Laman and Lemuel. In this dream he saw a dark and dreary waste, and also a beautiful tree which had fruit that would make a person happy. When he partook of this wonderful fruit, he wanted to share it with his family so that they could be happy too.  1 Nephi 8:2-12 "And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.  And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.  But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.  And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.  And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.  And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.  And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how there was famine in all the land but there was food in Egypt because Joseph had stored food during the seven years of plenty. Even Joseph's father Jacob back home sent his sons to Egypt to buy food so they wold not starve. Joseph recognized his brothers, but pretended not to and spoke harshly to them, accusing them of being spies. They bowed down to him, just like he had seen them do in his dream years earlier. Joseph insisted that they bring their brother Benjamin to see him to prove that they were actually brothers and not spies.  Genesis 42:1-16 "Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?  And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.  But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.  And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.  And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.  And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.  And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.  We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.  And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:  Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.  Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that each of us have received gifts from God which we should use to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.  Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's talents than our own.  But we each have God given gifts which we can use to bless the lives of others.  We should not ignore or hoard the gifts God has given us, we should use our gifts to serve other people.  And if we're not sure what our gifts are or how to use them, we can pray and ask the Lord to help us know these things.  1 Peter 4:10 " As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."