Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Jacob concluded his record, knowing that he was old and would soon go down to his grave. He had done his best to keep the records, according to the command of his brother Nephi, and turned the plates over to his son Enos. He hoped that his brethren would read his words and be benefited by them.   Jacob 7: 26-27 "And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.  And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore, I said unto my son Enos: Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu."

In the Old Testament we read that as long as Uzziah kept the commandments and sought the Lord, the Lord prospered him and helped him defeat his enemies.  2 Chronicles 26:1, 4-8 "Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.  And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.  And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly."

A verse in a thought booklet reminds us that this is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it.  Many days have challenges or problems to deal with, but every day is a gift from God and we an always find something to rejoice in about it.  The Lord wants us to be happy, and we will be if we approach each day with gratitude and look for the good instead of the bad.  Psalms 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."