Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the master of the vineyard went to the nethermost parts of the vineyard to see how the natural branches of the tree were doing. They had brought forth much good fruit which he preserved unto himself.  His servant was surprised that it had brought forth good fruit, since it was the poorest part of the vineyard. But he had nourished it and it had brought forth good fruit. But when he came to a tree that he had planted in a good spot of ground and nourished it like the others, only a part of the tree brought forth good fruit, and part brought forth wild fruit.  Jacob 5:19-25 "And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Come, let us go to the nethermost part of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches of the tree have not brought forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self.  And it came to pass that they went forth whither the master had hid the natural branches of the tree, and he said unto the servant: Behold these; and he beheld the first that it had brought forth much fruit; and he beheld also that it was good. And he said unto the servant: Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self; for behold, said he, this long time have I nourished it, and it hath brought forth much fruit.  And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard.  And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.  And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self.  And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit. And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted.  Instead of choosing wealth or honor or long life for himself, he choose to be given wisdom and knowledge so that he could do a good job of being king over the people.  The Lord was very pleased that he choose something to benefit other people, so he not only gave him the wisdom he asked for, but also the other things he did not ask for--wealth and honor.  2 Chronicles 1:7-12 "In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.  Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.  Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?  And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we believe in Jesus, we will follow His example and do the things that Jesus would do. It's not enough to merely say we believe without showing our faith by our works. John 14:12 " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."