Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lehi saw a straight and narrow path leading to the tree of life, and a rod of iron along the path. Many people were pressing forward along the path, holding to the iron rod so they would not lose their way. Those who did not hold to the rod wandered off the path and were lost.  1 Nephi 8:19-24 "And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.  And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.  And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.  And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.  And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.  And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree."

In the Old Testament we read that Joseph finally made himself known to his brothers.  They were greatly troubled, knowing how they had sold him into slavery.  But he reassured them that God had used his situation for good, in providing a way for them to be fed during the famine.  He kissed and wept with his brothers and invited them to go get their father and other family members and come and dwell in Egypt with him so that he could nourish them and provide for them. What a happy reunion!  And what a great example Joseph was in forgiving, not holding grudges, and in seeing the good even in difficult situations.  Genesis 45: 1- 15 "Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.  And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.  And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.  Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:  And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:  And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.  And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.  And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.  And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.  Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish us to have patience in our afflictions, just like the prophets of old did, including Job. Grumbling and complaining is not pleasing to God, nor to anyone around us. It sours our souls and pushes people away. Looking for the good and noticing our blessings helps us have patience.  The Lord has tender mercy toward us and if we endure well, we will find happiness.  James 5:10-11 " Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."