Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after some of the people partook of the fruit of the tree of life, other people mocked them and pointed their fingers at them, scoffing at them.  Some of the people caved in to this peer pressure and were ashamed, falling away into forbidden paths and becoming lost. While reading these verses, the words of a hymn came to me. We will heed not what the wicked may say, for the Lord alone we will obey.   1 Nephi 8:25-28 "And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.  And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.  And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost."

In the Old Testament we read about the wonderful reunion between Joseph and his father, Israel.  They embraced and wept together for a long time. You can just imagine how Israel must have felt to think that his beloved son was dead and then to find out that he indeed is still alive and be able to see him again!  Genesis 46: 29 "And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recount a story that illustrates how if we want the Lord to forgive us, we need to forgive others--not just 7 times, but 70 times 7. The story is told of a servant who owed the king a large sum, but the king forgave him the debt.  However, then this same servant went out and demanded repayment of a debt that a fellow servant owed him--a much smaller amount.  He refused to show any mercy and insisted that if the debt was not repaid, he would cast him into prison. Of course when the king who had shown him mercy heard about how harsh he was with the fellow servant, he confronted him and punished him accordingly.  So likewise will the Lord deal with us if we don't forgive others. Sometimes forgiveness is easier said than done, but if we're having trouble forgiving, the Lord will help us if we turn to Him.  It may not happen overnight, but if we persist in trying to forgive, the Lord can soften our hearts. And I've found that it's difficult to stay angry at a person if we pray for them.   Matthew 18:21-35 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.   So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."