Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when a man speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost carries it unto the hearts of the children of men.  Some will harden their hearts against the Holy Ghost, that it will have no place in them, casting away the things of God as if they are things of naught, when actually they are of great worth. Nephi prayed continually for the people day and night, and that the words he had written in weakness would be made strong and be able to persuade people to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ.  2 Nephi 33:1-4 "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.  But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.  And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal."

In the Old Testament we read yesterday about the righteous reign of Hezekiah.  Today we read how the king of Assyria invaded Judah and Rab-shakeh asked Jerusalem to surrender to the Assyrians, telling them not to listen to Hezekiah who was telling them to trust in the Lord.  He argued that the gods of other nations had not saved them from the Assyrians, so how could they think their God would be any different?  2 Kings 18:28-35 "Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.  Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:  Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us.  Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?  Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how Jesus washed His disciples feet.  And then He taught them that even though He was Lord and Master, He was willing to serve them.  So likewise should they serve one another.  This is a lesson all of us need to learn.  We all need to be servants to one another.  John 13:4-5, 12-15 "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."