Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi is instructed to make two sets of records, the larger plates containing a secular history and the smaller ones dealing primarily with sacred things.  We don't always know why the Lord asks us to do things, but we need to trust in Him that it's for a wise purpose and we can know that He has power to help us accomplish whatever He asks. 1 Nephi 9:2-6 "And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.  Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.  Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.  Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read about how after Jacob died, Joseph's brothers were afraid that he would be angry with them for selling him into slavery and might take vengeance against him.  They fell down before his face and begged him to have mercy on them.  Joseph assured them that he forgave them and the had nothing to fear.  He spoke kindly to them and told them he would nourish them and their little ones.  What a great example of how to forgive--something we should all follow.  Genesis 50:15-21 "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,  So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."

Some scriptures with  a thought booklet contrast the fate of the righteous with the wicked.  The upright man will find peace, salvation, and strength in time of trouble.  If he trusts in the Lord, he will be delivered from the wicked and be saved.  However, the transgressors will be destroyed and the wicked will be cut off.  Psalms 37:37-40 " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.  But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."