Daily thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that 600 years after Lehi left Jerusalem, a Messiah or Savior of the world would be raised up among the Jews. Except for this Redeemer, all mankind would have remained in a lost and fallen state. Also, John the Baptist would come before the Messiah to prepare the way for Him. He would baptize with water, and baptize the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. 1 Nephi 10: 4-10 "Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.  And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.  Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer. And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—  Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing. And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water. And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord heard the cries of the children of Israel and called Moses go to Pharaoh and to bring the people forth out of Egypt to a land of promise. The Lord does hear and answer our prayers, and sometimes sends other people to help us.  Exodus 3:7-10 "And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;  And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.  Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read about how while oxen were carrying the ark of God on a cart, the oxen shook it and Uzzah stretched forth his hand to steady the ark.  He was not authorized to touch the ark and the Lord smote him because of his error. This may seem like a pretty harsh punishment for someone who was just trying to be helpful in steadying the ark. But we need to be very careful that we don't overstep our bounds in trying to do things that the Lord has not authorized us to do.  2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7 "And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."