Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. No man can know or understand the mysteries of God except it is revealed unto him by the revelations of God. The earth and man were created by the power of the word of God. We should not seek to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from Him. This is something we need to remember when we say our prayers.  Do we ask for this, that and the other, as if we're listing things we expect the Lord to give us?  Or do we instead try to atune ourselves to Him and seek guidance about what we should pray for and the paths we should take in our lives?  He knows far better than we do what is best for us.  Are we willing to align ourselves with God's will?  Jacob 4:8-10 "Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.  For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure?  Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

In the Old Testament we read that David had wanted to build a House of the Lord, but because he had shed much blood in wars, the Lord restrained him and told him that He would give him a son that could build His House, and He would give peace to the land so that the son would not have to be a man of war.  David prepared all the materials to build the House of the Lord, an gathered workmen to build it.  And he admonished his son Solomon t keep the commandments and rule wisely.  He also told all the princes to help Solomon.  1 Chronicles 22:1-19 "Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.  And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.  And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;  Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God:  But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.  He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.  Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath said of thee.  Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.  Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee. David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,  Is not the Lord your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the Lord, and before his people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us tells us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.  How do we do this?  I think the rest of the verse holds the key:  to be thankful.  When we have gratitude in our hearts, we're happier and more content, and we are able to feel peace.  Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."