Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read we look to Christ for the remission of our sins, and we talk and preach of Him so our children may know to look to Him for the remission of their sins. The law of Moses was given to prepare people for when Christ would come, but would be fulfilled in Him. If people deny Christ, they deny also the law and the prophets. The law was to be kept until it was fulfilled in Christ, who is to be worshiped with all our might, mind and strength.  2 Nephi 25:26-30 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.  Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.  And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.  And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.  And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses."

In the Old Testament we see an example of the wisdom of Solomon in being able to judge the people righteously.  Two women came to him arguing over which one was the mother of a baby.  Solomon suggested that he take a sword and divide the child in two and give half to each woman.  The real mother of the child begged him not to harm the child, but to give him to the other woman. So he was able to discern who the real mother was.  1 Kings 3:16-28 "Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.  And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.  And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.  And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.  And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.  And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.  Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.  And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to pray for one another.  The fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. If we're concerned about a friend or family member who is going through a difficult trial, we sometimes feel helpless, like there is noting we can do to help their situation.  But we are wrong.  We can pray.  And prayer does help! Even if it is not God's will to deliver us from our tribulations, He will see us through them and strengthen us so we can bear them. We can safely trust in God in good times and in bad. He is our refuge.  There is no situation or circumstance that can prevail against us when we have God on our side.   James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."