Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi taught his people to build buildings and work with wood and metals. They built a temple. Nephi taught them to be industrious and work with their hands. They wanted Nephi to be their king, but he didn't think they should have a king.  However, he did what he could for them.  2 Nephi 5:15-18 "And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands. And it came to pass that they would that I should be their king. But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king; nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power."

In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Israel would rebel against the Lord after the death of Moses and would turn to other gods, even after all the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of Egypt.  Because of their breaking the covenant with the Lord, He would be angry with them and turn away from them, allowing many evils and troubles to befall them.  Deuteronomy 31:16-29 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.  Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?  And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.  Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.  For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.  And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.  And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying,  Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.  For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.  For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that God created men in His own image and gave him dominion over the birds, fish, animals, and everything that creeps upon the earth. We have been given stewardship over every living creature. Suppose you had a friend who was going on vacation and asked you to watch their lovely, expensive home while they were gone.  They told you to make yourself at home and help yourself to anything you found in the refrigerator.  But would it be okay for you to trash their house or have a big party with your friends and allow them to destroy the property that had been entrusted to you? We have been entrusted with the earth by our Heavenly Father.  He allows us to use the resources of it. But that does not give us the right to abuse or misuse it.  We need to be responsible in taking care of the stewardship that has been entrusted to us.  Genesis 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi fashioned other swords after the sword of Laban because he felt the need to defend himself against his brothers, who now called themselves Lamanites and had such a hatred toward him and those who followed him.  2 Nephi 5:14 "And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people."

In the Old Testament we read that Moses placed life or death, blessing or cursing, before the people so they could choose. We, too, have this choice placed before us.  We can choose to obey the commandments of the Lord and thus choose life and blessings, or we can choose to disobey and thus choose death and cursings. It's up to us what we decide to do.  Deuteronomy 30:15-20 "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.  But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;  I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that we should not judge other people.  God will judge us the same way we judge others, whether with harshness or mercy.  Sometimes it's very easy to see the mistakes other people make, while glossing over the fact that we, too, make mistakes.  Next time we're shaking our heads at something somebody else has done, maybe we could look inwardly and remember times when we, too, have fallen short and done things we should not have done.  Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Nephi and the people who followed him kept the commandments according to the law of Moses. They raised crops and herds and the Lord blessed an prospered them.  2 Nephi 5:10-13 "And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.  And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.  And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land."

In the Old Testament we read about all the wonderful things the Lord did for the children of Israel and how they all made a covenant with Him to be His people and He would be their God.  Deuteronomy 29:1-13 "These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;  The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:  Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.  And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God. And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them: And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.  Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,  Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day:  That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."

In some verses with a thought booklet we're reminded that we need to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us.  That is not an easy thing to do.  It's easy to love our friends who are kind to us--even evil people do that.  But to be true disciples of Jesus Christ we need to go beyond that and lose those who are difficult to love.  I think this is impossible to do without the Lord's help.  But if we'll humbly ask Him to change our hearts, we can learn to love even the most difficult of people.  And I think that praying for them helps to change our feelings toward them. Also, it helps to know that God is kind to everyone, even those who are evil.  He sends rain to not only the righteous but also the wicked.  We need to follow His example.  Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord warned Nephi to depart from his brothers and flee into the wilderness. He took with him those who believed in the revelations of God.  They took their tents and provisions into the wilderness, named the land where they stayed Nephi and began to call themselves the people of Nephi.  2 Nephi 5:5-9 "And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me. Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words. And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we did pitch our tents. And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi.  And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the people of Nephi."

Yesterday we read about the great blessings that would attend those who obey the commandments of the Lord.  Today we read about the terrible cursings that will come to those who do not obey. Deuteronomy 28:15-35 "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.  Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.  The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.  And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.  The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.  And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.  The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:  And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.  Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.  Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.  The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:  So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.  The Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we'll draw near to God, He will draw near to us.  We're also told to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts.  If we're clean and pure and seek the Lord, we will find Him.  If we feel distant from Him, we need to examine ourselves to see what changes we need to make in our lives.  The Lord wants to be close to us, but we need to do our part to make sure that happens.  James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the anger of Nephi's brothers increased toward him to the point that they sought to take away his life. They blamed him for their trials and murmured against him. They felt that since they were older than him, they should rule over him instead of the other way around.  2 Nephi 5:1-4 "Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren. But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.  Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.  Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life."

In the Old Testament we read about the great blessings that will come to those who obey the commandments of the Lord. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.  The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.  And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.  The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.  And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them."

In a verse with a thought booklet we're told that God is our strength and power and makes our way perfect.  We can get through any difficult circumstance that comes our way if we'll lean on the Lord for strength.  He can make whatever path we need to travel the perfect one for us.  2 Samuel 22:33 "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Nephi's prayer that he should shake at the appearance of sin and that the gates of hell would be continually shut against him. He prayed for humility and that he would be able to walk on the right path and no stumbling blocks would be placed in his way. Instead of placing his trust in man, he would put his trust in the Lord forever. God gives to those who ask, if they ask not amiss. He is our rock and everlasting God.  2 Nephi 4:31-35 "O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.  O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.  Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read that when the Egyptians afflicted the children of Israel under hard bondage, the children of Israel cried out to God and He heard their voice and brought them forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand and great signs and wonders.  He brought them to a land that flowed with milk and honey.  The people were commanded to rejoice in every good thing that the Lord had given to them and to pay their tithing.  We can likewise look at all the blessings the Lord has given us, and all the things He has done for us and all the prayers He has answered.  We can rejoice in all these things.  And what a small thing it is to pay our tithing, a mere 10% of the material things the Lord has blessed us with, not to mention the non material things He's given us.  Deuteronomy 26:6-12 "And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:  And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:  And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.  And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:  And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;"

A verse with a thought booklet is one that we'd do well to memorize and repeat to ourselves when we are tempted to judge others harshly.  None of us is without sin.  It's often easy to magnify the sins of others while minimizing the sins we ourselves commit.  But if we don't see that we ourselves likewise sin, we're just deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  1 John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read how Nephi prayed mightily and angels came down and ministered unto him. He had seen great things that he was forbidden to write about. However, in spite of all that, he was still weighed down with his afflictions, he still was tempted by the devil, and he still became angry because of his enemy. He chastened himself about these things--saying "awake my soul!" He told himself to no longer droop in sin and rejoice, not allowing his afflictions to weaken him. What a great example to follow. Maybe we should give ourselves a similar pep talk, and turn to the Lord in praise and rejoicing instead of allowing ourselves to wallow in misery.  2 Nephi 4:24-30 "And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.  O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?  And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.  Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

In the Old Testament we're told that if we make a vow, we should fulfill what we've agreed to do.  We need to keep our word and it is a sin to do otherwise.  Deuteronomy 23:21 "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we cover an offense, we promote love.  But adding fuel to the fire separates us from our friends.  We can always find reasons to be offended in our lives.  Maybe somebody cuts in front of us in line.  Or a friend passes us by without saying hello.  Every day things happen that can upset us.  When these things happen, do we put out the fire quickly or fan the flames into a blazing inferno?  The choice is ours.  Proverbs 17:9 "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that in spite of Nephi seeing the great goodness of the Lord and having His great and marvelous words revealed to him, he sorrowed because of his own iniquities. He was encompassed about with temptations and his heart groaned because of his sins. However, he still trusted in the Lord and acknowledged that God had been his support through his afflictions in the wilderness and had preserved him while traveling through the ocean. He had heard his prayers by day and given him knowledge by visions at night.   2 Nephi 4:17-23 "Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.  He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.  He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time."

In the Old Testament we read that the penalty for adultery was death.  Even though this is no longer the case as far as physical death is concerned, we can see from this how serious this offense is in the sight of God and we can also know that adultery still brings spiritual death. Deuteronomy 22:22 "If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to pray that we will not to fall into temptation.  The Lord really can help us resist temptation and avoid doing things we shouldn't be doing, if we'll ask for His help.  The story is told of a woman who was meeting an old friend for lunch--someone she used to attend church with but hadn't seen for several years, since the woman moved away. As she was sitting in the restaurant waiting for her friend to arrive, she thought of several juicy stories she could tell the woman about negative things that had happened to members of her church since her friend had moved away. But she knew it wasn't right to gossip so she said a silent prayer that she'd be able to resist passing on the negative stories. After her prayer, several women from her church walked in and ended up sitting at the table right next to her.  There was no way she could sneak in the gossippy stories with them sitting within earshot!  The Lord really does answer our prayers!  Luke 22:40 "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi was constrained to speak to his brothers according to the word of the Lord, just like his father had spoken to them before his death. Their words are written upon plates. Nephi wrote the words of his heart. His soul delighted in the scriptures and he pondered them in his heart. They are written for profit and learning. Do we likewise delight in the things of God?  Do we ponder them continually?  2 Nephi 4:14-16 " For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates. And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.  Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard."

In the Old Testament we read that if we find something that belongs to someone else, we should not take it and hide ourselves from the person who lost it.  We should take the lost items to the person they belong to. And if we don't know who lost them, we should take the items to our home for safe keeping until the person comes looking for them.  In other words, finders keepers, losers weepers is NOT the way the Lord would have us conduct ourselves.  Deuteronomy 22:1-3 "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.  In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that just hearing the word of God preached to us is not enough.  It will only profit us if we have faith in what we hear. Just hearing the word of God is of no benefit to us if we don't believe what we hear.  Hebrews 4:2 "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Lehi had spoken to all his household, according to the feelings of his heart, he died and was buried. It wasn't long after he was gone that Laman and Lemuel became angry with Nephi because of the admonitions of the Lord.  2 Nephi 4:12-13 " And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.  And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord."

In the Old Testament we read that the people should not fear even if they needed to  battle against an enemy more numerous than they are, with horses and chariots.  The same God which brought them out of the land of Egypt would be with them and fight for them.  If the Lord is on our side, it doesn't matter who is against us.  Deuteronomy 20:1 "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to commit whatever we do to the Lord and He will establish our plans. Our days will go so much better if we turn them over to God.  Proverbs 16:3 "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lehi did not want to go down to his grave without leaving a blessing to his posterity, that they would not perish and that the Lord would be merciful to them and their seed.  2 Nephi 4:5-11 "But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it. Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.  Wherefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.  And it came to pass that after my father had made an end of speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he caused the sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought before him. And he spake unto them, saying: Behold, my sons and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my second son; behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the sons and daughters of Laman; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.  And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household. And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shalt inherit the land like unto thy brother Nephi. And thy seed shall be numbered with his seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy brother, and thy seed like unto his seed; and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days."

In the Old Testament we read that divination, spiritualism, and the like are abominations to the Lord and should not be found among us.  Deuteronomy 18:9-14 "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.  For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do."

In some familiar verses with a thought booklet we read that the Lord's thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways.  He knows far better than we do what is best and we need to place our trust in Him. Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi testified concerning Joseph of Egypt, that his prophecies were written on the plates of brass. After Lehi finished teaching his children concerning those prophecies, he admonished them to keep the commandments and told them that if they did, they would be blessed and prosper in the land.  If not, they would be cut off.  2 Nephi 4:1-4 "And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt. For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.  Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold, my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my firstborn, I would that ye should give ear unto my words. For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence."

In the Old Testament we read that we should follow that which is altogether just, that we may inherit the land which the Lord gives to us.  Deuteronomy 16:20 "That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. When we feel chaos, disorder and confusion in our lives, we can know that this does not come from God. Turning to Him can bring the peace we seek.  1 Corinthians 14:33 " For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that cries of repentance would come forth from generations past, and the Lord would make their words strong. One would rise up who would do much good in word and deed and be an instrument in the hands of God to work mighty wonders and bring to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel. In Lehi's dying words, he admonished his son Joseph to remember his words and hearken to his brother Nephi.  2 Nephi 3:20-25 "And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.  Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.  And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy.  Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.  And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read that we should hearken to the voice of the Lord, keep His commandments, and do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 13:18 "When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that Jesus, at times, separated Himself from other people so He could enjoy peace and solitude and be able to commune with His Father by Himself.  If this was necessary for Jesus, we can know that it is also necessary for us.  We need to take time to be alone and pray.  Matthew 14:13, 23 "When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." 

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the fruit of the loins of Judah would write (the Bible) and the fruit of the loins of Joseph would write (the Book of Mormon) and the two together would confound false doctrines and bring a knowledge of the covenants of the Lord. The choice seer that the Lord would raise up in the latter-days would be named Joseph, and his father would be named Joseph also. These prophesies would be fulfilled.  The words which this seer would write would be words that are expedient to come forth.  2 Nephi 3:12-19 "Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.  And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.  And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;  And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.  Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.  And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him. And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.  And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith."

In the Old Testament we're admonished to reverence the Lord, keep His commandments, and obey His voice.  We should serve Him and cleave unto Him.  Deuteronomy 13:4 "Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that the wicked will experience many sorrows, but mercy will surround he that trusts in the Lord.  We can be glad in the Lord and rejoice!  If we want to be happy, we need to keep the commandments and trust in the Lord.  Wickedness never was happiness.  Psalms 32:10-11 " Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.  Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Joseph who was sold into Egypt saw in revelation that the Lord would raise up a choice seer out of his loins who would be like unto Moses, bringing to light a knowledge of the covenants which the Lord made with the fathers. This seer would not only bring forth the word of the Lord, but also be able to convince the people of the truth of the word.  2 Nephi 3:6-11 "For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.  Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.  And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.  And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.  And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.  But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them."

In the Old Testament we read that when we keep the commandments of the Lord and love Him with all our hearts, we will be richly blessed. But if we disobey the Lord, we will be cursed and receive punishment.  Deuteronomy 11:13-17, 22-28 "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,  That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.  Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;  And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;  Then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.  Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;  A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:  And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can be sure that when we undergo sufferings for Christ, He will shower us with His comfort and encouragement. Sometimes it seems like we just get through one problem when another one crops us.  We may wonder why this is the case, especially when we pray every day.  Do we really think that having a good prayer life should stave off giving us future reasons to pray?  When we have troubles, it humbles us and allows us to feel our need for God so that we turn to Him.  We grow closer to Him as we trust in Him and rely on Him to help is through our difficult circumstances. Sometimes God sends us trials as an invitation to grow closer to Him. Instead of seeing this as a burden, let's see this as an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God.  1 Corinthians 1:5 "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read more of Lehi's words to his son Joseph. He told him that they are descendants of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that the Lord had made great covenants with him. Joseph had received great revelations from the Lord, seeing their day and seeing that the Lord would raise up a righteous branch of the house of Israel from his posterity.  However, the Messiah would not be from his loins, but would be made manifest to his seed in the latter-days.  2 Nephi 3:4-5 "For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph. Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom."

In the Old Testament we're told that all that God requires of us is to love and serve Him and keep His commandments.  Deuteronomy 10:12-13 "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,  To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"

In some verses with a thought booklet we are reminded not to lean unto our own understanding, but to trust the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all things, allowing Him to direct our paths. We might think we know what is best for us, but our perspective is very limited.  Only God can clearly see what is for our best good.  Sometimes we need to go through difficult times in order to gain the experience we need to make us the people we can become. If God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want, we need to still trust Him to do what is best for us.  Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Lehi's words to his son Joseph, who was born in the wilderness, during a time of great affliction and sorrow. Lehi told him that if he would keep the commandments, he would inherit the land for his seed and they would not be utterly destroyed.  2 Nephi 3:1-3 "And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.  And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel. And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed."

In the Old Testament we read the Lord's reminder that if we forget the Lord our God and are not obedient to His voice, we will perish.  Deuteronomy 8:19-20 "And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the story of how Mary and Martha sent for Jesus when their brother Lazarus was sick.  Jesus delayed coming for two days and by the time he got there,  Lazarus had died. When Martha greeted him she said that if only He had been there, her brother would not have died. But she still expressed faith in the resurrection. Jesus then proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead. This is an example of how the Lord sometimes answers our prayers.  We pray for something we want, but the answer is delayed and then things go really wrong. It's easy to lose faith and give up hope.  But if we continue to have faith and trust the Lord, things eventually turn out to be for our good, even if we don't see it at the time. The Lord always answers our prayers in the way that is best for us and the other people involved. In the end, it really will be okay.   John 11:1-6, 11-15, 19-27, 38-45 " Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.  (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.   When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.  When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.  And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.  Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Messiah came to redeem the children of men from the fall.  Men are free to act for themselves, to know good from evil and be able to choose. They can choose righteously and receive liberty and eternal life or they can choose evil and receive captivity and death. If we look to the great Mediator and hearken to His commandments, and are faithful to the end, we will receive eternal life. If we choose evil, we give the devil power to reign over us and bring us down to hell. Lehi spoke these words in the last days of his life and stated that his only object was the everlasting welfare of our souls.  2 Nephi 2:26-30 "And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.  Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.  And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit; And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, in the last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good part, according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord led the children of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years in order to prove them to know whether they would keep the commandments or not.  He humbled and chastened them, feeding them with manna and preventing their clothing from getting old. They were commanded to keep the commandments of the Lord, walk in His ways, and reverence Him.   Deuteronomy 8:2-6 "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that it's not enough to merely hear the word of God, we need to obey it and do what it says.  James 1:22-24 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that if Adam and Eve had not fallen they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy or misery and not having any children.  Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy. 2 Nephi 2:22-25 "And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.  And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.  Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."  

In the Old Testament we read that we should diligently keep the commandments of the Lord and do that which is right in the sight of God.  If we do this, it will be well with us.  Deuteronomy 6:17-18 "Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.  And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers,"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that whatever we do, we need to do it unto the Lord and not unto men, with thanksgiving.  We need to have gratitude in our hearts at all times and concentrate on pleasing the Lord instead of men. Colossians 3:17, 23 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" 

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that these are the days of probation, and they have been prolonged so that we would have the opportunity to repent while in the flesh. 2 Nephi 2:21 "And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents."

In the Old Testament we're commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might. Do we truly love the Lord with everything we've got and put Him as the top priority in our lives?  Deuteronomy 6:5 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that Jesus born our griefs and sorrows, as well as suffered for our iniquities.  With His stripes, we are healed.  Even though we're gone astray, He bore our iniquity.  He was oppressed and afflicted and brought like a lamb to the slaughter, but He opened not His mouth.  Isaiah 53:4-7 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that there must be opposition in all things. God has given us agency to act for ourselves.  Satan fell and now seeks to make all men miserable like he is. 2 Nephi 2:11-20 "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God. And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.  And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon. And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.  Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.  And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore he said: Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.  And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth. And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of all the earth."

In the Old Testament we read that if we will seek the Lord with all our hearts, we will find Him.  He is a merciful God and will not forsake those who are obedient, nor forget the covenants He has made with us.  When we are in tribulation, we can turn to the Lord.  Deuteronomy 4:29-31 "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can rejoice in following the statues of the Lord, as one rejoices in great riches.  Indeed, the commandments of the Lord can be considered a rich treasure because if we obey them our lives will be happier in this life and we'll receive eternal life in the world to come. Psalms 119:14 "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Men are instructed to know good from evil, and if they choose the evil they will become miserable forever.  Redemption only comes through the Holy Messiah who is full of grace and truth. He offers Himself a sacrifice for sin so that those who repent with a contrite spirit can be saved. No flesh could dwell in the presence of God except through the mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah.  He was resurrected from the dead and made it possible for all of us to be resurrected also. All men will stand before God to be judged. 2 Nephi 2:4-10 "And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free. And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.  Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.  Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.  Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.  Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.  And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—"

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord was angry with Moses so he would not be allowed to go over the Jordan to possess the good land, but die in that land. He warned the people that they must not forget the covenant of the Lord. Deuteronomy 4:21-23 "Furthermore the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:  But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land. Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee."

In a verse with a thought booklet we're told to rejoice always in the Lord. When Paul wrote these words he was in prison and was very familiar with difficulties and hard times. But he had discovered that joy was possible, even in the midst of the worst circumstances. If we'll stop focusing on our troubles and focus on the Lord instead, we'll be able to discover that true joy comes through Him.  Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Lehi's words to his son Jacob  He recounted how Jacob  had been born during their days of tribulation traveling through the wilderness, and he had suffered great affliction and sorrow. But Jacob had seen firsthand the greatness of God and how He can consecrate our afflictions for our gain.  Lehi exhorted Jacob to spend his days in the service of God.  2 Nephi 2:1-3 "And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men."

In the Old Testament Moses exhorted Israel to keep the commandments of the Lord, and not to either add to them or subtract from them.  Sometimes we like to pick and choose which commandments we want to obey, taking out those that seem too difficult for us.  Or we make up commandments of our own and then look down on people who don't obey them.  It's not up to us to decide what are commandments and what are not.  We need to obey what God has given us.  Deuteronomy 4:1-2 "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that if we love God we'll also love our brother.  Anyone who claims to love God but hate his brother is a liar.  How can we say we love God whom we have not seen but hate our brother whom we have seen?  1 John 4:20-21 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Lehi's words to Zoram, who had been the servant of Laban.  He had been a true friend to Nephi and Lehi promised him that if he would continue faithful, his seed would be blessed and dwell in prosperity. 2 Nephi 1:30-32 "And now, Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever.  Wherefore, because thou hast been faithful thy seed shall be blessed with his seed, that they dwell in prosperity long upon the face of this land; and nothing, save it shall be iniquity among them, shall harm or disturb their prosperity upon the face of this land forever. Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, the Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with the seed of my son."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord told Israel that they should not fear the king of Bashan for He would deliver him, his people, and his lands into their hands.  If we have the Lord on our side, we have nothing to fear.  He can help us conquer any problem that might come our way.  Deuteronomy 3:1-3 "Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.  And the Lord said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.  So the Lord our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining." 

In some scriptures with a thought booklet, the question was asked why a man was born blind.  Sometimes we wonder why bad things seem to happen to people or why a certain person became ill or why a baby was born with disabilities.  The answer Jesus gave was that it was not a result of sin on the part of the blind man or his parents, but rather was so that the works of God could be made manifest.  Sometimes we need to go through difficult situations in order to become stronger people, or in order to become humble and dependent on the Lord, or in order to learn things we need to learn.  Instead of questioning why things happen the way they do, we need to question what we can learn from the experience and how it might help us or those around us to become better people.  John 9:1-3 "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon, Lehi, warned his older sons to give heed to their younger brother Nephi instead of trying to hurt him.  He had not sought for power or authority over them, but was only concerned for their eternal welfare.  They claimed that Nephi had used sharpness and anger with them, but actually he was just boldly manifesting to them concerning their iniquities, and he had the power of God with him in what he said to them.  Lehi told them that if they would obey what Nephi told them to do, they would be blessed.  But if they refused t listen, they would perish.  2 Nephi 1:5-29 "And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare. And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you. Ye say that he hath used sharpness; ye say that he hath been angry with you; but behold, his sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him; and that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that which is in God, which he could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.  And it must needs be that the power of God must be with him, even unto his commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it. And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam, and also my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing.  But if ye will not hearken unto him I take away my first blessing, yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon him."

In the Old Testament we read a recounting of how the Lord had commanded the children of Israel to go and possess Canaan but the people were fearful to do so.  They sent twelve men to bring back a report and everyone except Joshua and Caleb brought back a discouraging report, saying the inhabitants of the land were giants and could not be defeated.  In spite of all the great things the Lord had done for them in the past, they were afraid to proceed.  So the Lord in His anger said that no one from their generation, except for Joshua and Caeb would be able to enter into the promised land.  Deuteronomy 1:21-40 "Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.  And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:  And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.  And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us.  Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God:  And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;  And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.  Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God,  Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.  And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,  Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord. Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.  But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.  Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.  But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord can see all our iniquities before Him and our secret sins are made known in the light of His countenance. We cannot hide anything from God.  We might be able to fool other people, but He sees everything and knows what we do wrong.   Psalms 90:8 "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance."

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