Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi broke his bow so wasn't able to obtain food, which made his brothers angry. They suffered much for lack of food. His whole family became sorrowful because of their suffering and began to murmur against the Lord. However, Nephi went to work and made another bow and then went to his father and asked him where he should go to obtain food. Lehi humbled himself due to the admonition of Nephi and inquired of the Lord, having been truly chastened for his murmuring against the Lord. The Lord told Lehi to look to the ball for direction as to where to go. The pointers of the ball worked according to the faith and diligence and heed which they gave them. Nephi was thus able to obtain food which he brought back to his family.  They received it with joy and thanksgiving. From this story we see that when difficult times come some people murmur and complain against God.  But others, like Nephi, get to work to solve their problems as best they can (such as by making a new bow) and they inquire of the Lord as to what they should do (such as asking where to go to obtain food). Which type of person are we?  1 Nephi 16:18-32 "And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food. And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord. Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?  And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.  And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.  And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball. And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.  And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him."

In the Old Testament we read that we should not defraud or rob other people and should pay those we hire in a timely manner.  Leviticus 19: 13 "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who trust the Lord are like trees along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water, who can bear fruit even during times of drought.  If our lives are built on the firm foundation of the Lord, even during trying times our roots will go down deep and we can still gain the strength we need from the Lord to continue on and lead fruitful lives.  Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."