Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read yesterday about how Laman and Lemuel didn't complain about returning to Jerusalem to obtain wives, but they sure did complain that they had to return to the wilderness with their wives, and other people in Ismael's family complained as well. Nephi tried to remind them of the great things the Lord had done for them, but hey were very quick to forget these things and tended to dwell on the negative things in their lives.  Are we like this at times?  Do we easily forget all the blessings the Lord has poured out upon us but are quick to remember our trials ad hardships and tend to dwell on them and complain about them?  1 Nephi 7:6-12 "And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.  And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.  And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?  How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord? How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?  Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."

 

In the Old Testament we read that even though Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, the Lord was still with him and prospered him and he was made overseer.  The Lord blessed him even in his circumstances.  Genesis 39:1-6 " And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the word of the Lord came to the people from the prophet Zechariah telling them to live good lives of mercy and compassion.  But the people refused to hearken, stopping up their ears so they wouldn't have to hear and making their hearts as stone against the words of God.  As a result, the Lord refused to hear their cries and scattered them among the nations, making their land desolate.  When our prophet today tells us to do something, do we hearken and obey or do we turn a deaf ear to him and go on doing what we want?  Refusing to listen to a prophet has consequences.  Zechariah 7:8-14 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."