Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that God sent prophets all through the ages to testify of Jesus Christ so that all who would believe might receive a remission of their sins and have great joy. However, in spit of many signs and wonders being shown to them, they were a stiffnecked and hard hearted people.  They did not understand that the Law of Moses was of no avail except through the atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no other name or means given whereby men may be saved. A person who refuses to himself like a little child and believe that salvation comes through Christ will drink damnation to their souls. The natural man is an enemy to God. We need to become as a little child--submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love. We need to be willing to submit to the Lord and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.  Mosiah 3:13-19 "And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them. Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.  And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.  And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.  And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.  For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.  For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

In the Old Testament we read about how miserable Job was, tossing and turning during the night and wondering when the night would be over. His skin was broken and covered in worms and dust.  Job 7:4-5 "When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.  My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the works of the Lord are great,and they are sought out by all those who take delight in them. God created a beautiful world.  We can sit in awe at the beauties of nature--a colorful sunset, a calm lake, birds singing in the trees, a meadow full of wildflowers, a purring cat (as I write this I've got a purring cat on my left and another one on my right). God's works put wonder in our hearts. We need to take time to enjoy them and give Him thanks.  Psalms 111:2 "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Jesus would suffer great pain, such that blood would come from every pore. He would suffer anguish for the wickedness of the people so that if they would have faith, they might obtain salvation. But in spite of all He would do for them, the people would say he had a devil, and they would scourge and crucify Him. But He would rise from the dead the third day. And He will be a righteous judge of the children of men. His blood would atone for the sins of all who ignorantly sinned. But to those who knowingly rebelled against God and refused to repent or have faith, salvation would not come. Mosiah 3:7-12 "And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.  And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.  But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how Job's friends judged him harshly and insinuated that he was suffering because he was being punished for some wickedness he had done.  Today we read Job's response, saying that when a person is afflicted, his friends should show pity to him, not deal deceitfully as his brethren had done with him. We need to show love and kindness to our friends who are going through difficult times.  Job 6:14-15 "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.  My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God takes hold of our right hand and says to us, "Do not fear, I will help you." This sounds like something an earthly parent might say to their child when they're unsure of themselves or afraid. Indeed, the Lord is our loving Father and He likewise will take us by the hand and lovingly lead and guide us.  We have nothing to fear!  Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Jesus would be able to cast out devils and evil spirits. We need to remember that God is always more powerful than Satan!   Mosiah 3: 6 "And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men."

In the Old Testament we read about how Job's friend Eliphaz reproved him and accused him of wickedness which he was being punished for.  Actually, Job was not wicked and was being falsely judged.  Bad things sometimes do happen to good people.  Are we ever guilty of making things even worse for our friends who are going through challenging circumstances by judging them harshly?  Job 4:7-8 "Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?  Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord will open the eyes of the blind, raise up those who are bowed down, and loves the righteous.  Sometimes the Lord will physically heal the blind or disabled, but often times He'll mentally and spiritually heal those who are blind to what they need to see, or bowed down with grief or worries. Can we clearly see what we need to change in our lives, or what we can do to serve someone else?  If not, the Lord can help us see more clearly. If we'll turn to the Lord during the times of our troubles, He can lift our burdens which bow down our backs, and make our loads light.  And of course we know that He loves the righteous. Let's obey His will and turn to Him for help in all we need.  Psalms 146:8 "The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that an angel had revealed things to come to King Benjamin, glad tidings of great joy. King Benjamin testified that Jesus would be born and dwell among men, performing mighty miracles and healing the sick.  Mosiah 3:1-5 "And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come.  And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy.  For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases."

In the Old Testament we read that Job was smitten with boils and was in great physical distress, and his wife told him to curse God and die, but still me maintained his integrity and did not sin.  Job 2:7-10 "So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.  And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.  But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips."

In some verses with a thought booklet, we read about Moses began the work of building the tabernacle and needed skilled workers to do the job.  He needed people who could work with wood, fabrics, and various metals.  God gifted different people with the skills and wisdom needed to get the job done. This happens in our day as well.  Every group trying to do the Lord's work will have various people with gifts and talents needed.  Some will be talented singers, others great teachers or preachers, and still others will be wonderful caregivers or blessed with other talents that are needed for the group. Sometimes we don't even know what talents we have until we accept a calling that is way out of our comfort zone which forces us to develop the talents needed to fulfill it.  The important thing is that we're willing to do whatever the Lord requires of us.  He'll supply us with the wisdom and ability to do it.  Exodus 36:1-4 "Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:  And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.  And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that all the people, except for little children, had been properly taught the commandments of God.  People who have been taught the truth but choose to disobey it and go against what they know, withdraw themselves from the Spirit so it has no place in them.  Note that it is we who withdraw ourselves from the Spirit, not the other way around.  It is our choice. When we choose to rebel against God in this way, we are obeying the evil spirit and there will be no place for the Lord in us, for He cannot dwell in unholy temples. Unless we repent, we will be filled with guilt, pain, and anguish and will endure never-ending torment. Those who fall into transgression are in an awful situation! But those who keep the commandments of God are in a blessed and happy state and they will be able to dwell with God forever in a state of never ending happiness. The choice is ours--repent and be happy forever or rebel against God and spend eternity in awful misery. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!  Mosiah 2:34-41 "I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;  And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore, they are just and true. And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved— I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.  Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.  And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.  O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

In the Old Testament we read about how one thing after another went wrong with Job, with servants one after another coming to him and reporting terrible disasters concerning Job's property, flocks, and children.  But even after all this terrible news Job blessed the name of the Lord and did not sin.  What an example this is for us all to follow.  When bad things happen, we can still find reason to praise the Lord.  Job 1:13-22 "And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:  And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:  And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:  And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

Going along with this, a verse with a thought booklet likewise talks about praising the name of God with song and magnifying Him with thanksgiving. Psalms 69:30 "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read King Benjamin's warnings that there should be no contentions among them. When people contend, they are obeying the evil spirit and they will reap everlasting punishment if they don't repent.  Mosiah 2:32-33 "But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge."

In the Old Testament we read that even though the decree of the king could not be overturned, after Esther pleaded for the life of her people,  the king sent out another decree in which he granted to the Jews the right to gather and defend themselves against those who would attack them, and avenge themselves of their enemies.  Esther 8: 4-13 "Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,  And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:  For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.  Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:  Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,  Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that our riches won't do us any good in the day of judgment, but our righteousness will deliver us from death.  Proverbs 11:4 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."  

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that we have all been created from the dust of the earth and this includes King Benjamin. He gathered the people together to speak to them so that he could die with a clear conscience, knowing he had done everything he could for the people. He told them that he was about to go down into his grave and that his son Mosiah should be appointed ruler over them. He told them that they should obey the commandments of the Lord which Mosiah would give to them.  Mosiah 2:25-31 "And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.  And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth.  Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you. I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.  And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king;  For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you; but the Lord God doth support me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath commanded me that I should declare unto you this day, that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you.  And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you."

In the Old Testament we read about how Haman ended up being hung on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.  He reaped what he had sown.  Esther 7:1-10 "So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.  Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:  For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?  And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.  Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.  And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.  So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."

In a verse with a thought booklet we're commanded to give thanks always for all things.  This doesn't mean just good things, but ALL things.  If we can find reasons to be grateful, even during our times of adversity, we'll be able to find joy in life even when we're in the midst of trials.  And indeed, tribulations often turn out to be blessings in disguise as they teach us things we need to learn and help strengthen us.  Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. Just as King Benjamin had served his people, he encouraged them to go forth and serve one another. And if King Benjamin deserved any thanks for the things he had done for his people, so much more so does God deserve our gratitude.  If we should render thanks with our whole souls to God, and serve Him with all our mights, it would never be enough to repay Him for all He's done for us, including granting us breath and supporting us from moment to moment. All He asks of us is that we keep His commandments, and if we do so, He prospers and blesses us. We will forever be in His debt.  Mosiah 2:16-24 "Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.  And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.  Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?  And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!  I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—  I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.  And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.  And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?"

In the Old Testament we continue to read the story of Esther.  She courageously went before the king who spared her life and agreed to grant her request.  She requested to invite him and Haman to a banquet. Haman glories in the fact that he's been invited to a banquet with the king and builds a gallows on which to hang Mordecai.  Esther 5:1-14 "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.  And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.  Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;  If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.  Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.  And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.  Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us not to grow weary in well-doing. If we persist and endure, we will receive our reward.   Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read hat King Benjamin began his speech by asking the people to open their ears that they might hear and open their hearts that they might understand what he would say to them. This is what we need to do hen the prophet speaks--open our ears and our hearts. King Benjamin then told the people not to fear him--he was just a mortal man like them. But he had been called to serve them, and had tried to do so with all his might, mind and strength, which the Lord had given him. He had spend all his days in their service, not for money, but out of love for them. He had labored along with them and had taught them to keep the commandments. He was able to have a clean conscience toward God for the way he had handled his stewardship. Can we say the same toward those we've had stewardship over? Have we loved them and served them to the best of our ability, and done what we could to teach them to keep the commandments of God?  Mosiah 2:9-15 "And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me. I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;  Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—  And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.  Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day."

In the Old Testament we read about how Mordecai and the Jews mourned and fasted because of the king's decree stating that all the Jews should be destroyed.  Mordecai told Esther that perhaps she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this.  She decides to go in unto the king, at the peril of her life. Sometimes in our lives we're placed in circumstances where we can be of help. So we face these situations with courage and determination the way Esther did?  Esther 4:1-17 "When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.  And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.  Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.  And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.  And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;  All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him."

Some verses with a thought booklet repeat a long list of names of people who built and repaired the walls and gates of Jerusalem.  It lists several people and then says "and next to him... and next to him."  These are not just names.  They were real people with families and stories and with a determination to help do something the Lord wanted them to do. And they didn't work singly and alone.  They worked together, next to each other, side by side.  When we all work together for a common cause, much can be accomplished.  There are things we can learn from this seemingly boring long list of names. (I've only quoted a few verses here, the list of names goes on for the rest of the chapter). Nehemiah 3:1-10 "Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.  And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.  And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.  Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall. And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.  And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that King Benjamin erected a tower so that the people could better hear him speak. But even then, there were so many people they could not all hear his words so he had what he'd said written down and sen tit forth among the people.  This is kind of like general conference.  It's broadcast so more people can hear tan what can fit into the conference center, and then it's written down and sent forth in the Ensign and Liahona Magazines, plus on the Internet, so that even more can hear what the church leaders have to say. When something is important for all to hear, every effort is made to reach as many people as possible.  Mosiah 2:7-8 "For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.  And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words."

 In the Old Testament we read that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, which angered him greatly.  So he arranged for a decree to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.  Esther 3:5-11 "And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.  If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.  And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to trust in the Lord, do good, and delight in Him, and He will feed us and give us the desires of our hearts.  Psalms 37:3-4 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the people gathered to the temple to hear King Benjamin address them, and they offered sacrifices and gave thanks that they had been delivered out of the hands of their enemies and that God had placed a just man to be their king and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God and had brought peace to the land. The people pitched tents around the temple with the doors toward the temple so they might hear the words of King Benjamin. Mosiah 2:1-6 "And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them. And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land.  And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;  And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.   And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;"

In the Old Testament we read about how when the king sent forth a decree to find a new queen, Esther went to the palace, along with many other maidens. Esther was the niece of Mordecai, who was a Jew who had been carried away captive from Jerusalem.  Howeer, Esther did not make it known who her people were. When it was Esther's turn to come unto the king, he loved her above all the other women and chose her to be his queen.   Esther 2:5-10, 16-17 "Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.  And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.  Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti."

Some verses with a thought booklet are appropriate for today, Easter Sunday.  They tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He is not here for He is risen!  What a great reason to rejoice!  Luke 24:1-12 "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.  And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.  And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.  Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that King Benjamin grew old and was soon to die so he conferred the kingdom onto his son Mosiah.   He admonished his son that if the people remained righteous they would prosper, but that if they became wicked they would fall into the hands of the Lamanites. King  Benjamin also gave Mosiah charge concerning the records and the Liahona. Mosiah went out and proclaimed to the people that they should gather together at the temple to hear the words his father would speak.  Mosiah 1:9-18 "And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of teaching his sons, that he waxed old, and he saw that he must very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, he thought it expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.  Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are the words which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth that thou art a king and a ruler over this people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.  And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lord God hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord. And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression.  Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.  For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in the preservation of our fathers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred. And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of these sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom.  And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.  Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.  And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them."

In the Old Testament we read about how the king wanted Queen Vashti to come before him so he could show off her beauty to his friends, but she refused to come.  This angered him and he asked his friends what he should do.  They told him that if he allowed her to get away with this, it would set a bad example to other women and they might likewise disobey their husbands, so he should no longer allow her to be queen, nor to come before him.  He followed the advice o his friends.  Esther 1:10-21 "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)  What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?  And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.  If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.  And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:"

 A verse with a thought booklet warns u not to murmur, which can cause us to be destroyed by the destroyer.  When we murmur and complain, it can allow Satan to gain a foothold into our hearts. If we try to see the good in every situation and have gratitude in our hearts, instead of trying to find fault, we'll find that we're happier and that people will enjoy being around us more.  1 Corinthians 10:10 "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that there was no more contention in the land and King Benjamin had peace all the rest of his days. King Benjamin taught his sons the language and prophecies of their fathers.  The records were necessary to pass down a knowledge of God and teach other generations about the commandments of the Lord. Without having these records, it is easy to dwindle in unbelief, the way the Lamanites did. We need to search the scriptures diligently that we may learn the commandments of God.  This is just as important in our day as it was in ancient days.  Mosiah 1:1-8 "And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days.  And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord.  And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.  I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct. O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.  And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers. And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book."

In the Old Testament we read about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy.  Nehemiah corrected the practice of selling wares on the Sabbath by closing up the gates of the city and having guards stand by to make sure no burdens were brought into the city of the Sabbath.  Do we sometimes do unnecessary business on the Sabbath Day? Shop for groceries?  Go out to eat? Attend sporting events?  Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is just as important in our day as it was in ancient times.  Nehemiah 13:15-22 "In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.  There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.  And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.  So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.  Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy." 

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the words of Paul, saying he had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.  And now he had the assurance that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness.  But he added that this was not just the case for him, but also for all those who love the Lord and look for His coming. Someday we will come to the end of our course on earth.  Will we be this confident that we have done well and will be rewarded with eternal life?  If we aren't so sure, we need to act now to repent and put our lives in order.  We're all in a spiritual battle for our very souls. But with God's help we can be victorious!  2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the Lamanites came down against the people of King Benjamin, but King Benjamin had the strength of the Lord with him and was able to stand against them and drive them out of the land. King Benjamin was a holy man who ruled over his people in righteousness.  The false Christs and false priests were punished. Because of King Benjamin laboring with all his might and soul, and with the help of the prophets, peace was established in the land.  Words of Mormon 1:12-18 "And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people. And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites came down out of the land of Nephi, to battle against his people. But behold, king Benjamin gathered together his armies, and he did stand against them; and he did fight with the strength of his own arm, with the sword of Laban.  And in the strength of the Lord they did contend against their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of their inheritance. And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs, and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to their crimes; And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the holy prophets who were among his people— For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—  Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land."

In the Old Testament we read that the walls of Jerusalem were dedicated, amidst music, thanksgiving, and rejoicing.  Nehemiah 12:27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."

Some familiar scriptures with a thought booklet are worth memorizing.  Instead of leaning to our own understanding, if we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and acknowledge Him, He will lead us in the way we should go and direct our paths. I often have  tendency to worry and fret.  But when I do I'm usually trying to rely only on myself and I'm thinking about all sorts of possible horrible outcomes.  However, if I'm able to place my trust in the Lord, I can relax and realize that everything is in His hands and no matter what the outcome, He'll help me get through it and give me the strength that I need.  Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the plates were handed down from generation to generation until they came into the hands of Mormon who prayed that they would be preserved.  Words of Mormon 1:9-11 "And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.  Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin.  And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written."

In the Old Testament we read that the people covenanted to keep the commandments of the Lord which were given by Moses, to not marry outside the faith, and to keep the Sabbath day holy. Nehemiah 10:29-31 "They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;  And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:  And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to hear what the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to the faithful who turn their hearts to Him and who do not sin.  Psalms 85:8 "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Mormon's prayer that his brethren would once again come to a knowledge of God and become a delightsome people.   Words of Mormon 1:8 "And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people."

In the Old Testament we read about a repeated cycle of how the children of Israel would be blessed by the Lord but then they would forget about Him and rebelliously break His commandments.  Then the Lord would allow their enemies to vex them and in the time of their trouble, they would again turn to the Lord and beg for mercy.  The Lord would listen to them and things would start going better for them, only to have them again rebel and become evil.  Then they'd turn to the Lord again and He would again hear them.  Do we sometimes find ourselves getting into a cycle like this?  Do we only turn t the Lord in times of trouble, and then forget about Him when things are going well?  Nehemiah 9:25-31 "And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.  Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.  But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;  And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us no one should look down on another person because they are young.  But even the young can set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Indeed, during the many years I taught primary I saw many, many instances in which the children taught me more than I taught them. We need to remember that children can serve as messengers from God, and we need to be open to every opportunity to learn from them.   1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when we do according to what the Spirit tells us to do, we can know that it is for a wise purpose, even if we don't understand that purpose. The Lord knows all things and we can safely trust in Him.  Words of Mormon 1:7 "And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."

In the Old Testament we read about the goodness of God.  He created all things.  He showed signs and wonders to Pharaoh and parted the Red Sea. Then he lead the children of Israel through the wilderness and provided them with water from a rock and manna to eat. But after all that, the people refused to obey the commandments of the Lord and worshiped a golden calf. We might read this and think "what stupid people, disobeying the Lord after everything He did for them."  But if we examine our own lives, we likewise can find many things the Lord has done for us over the years, many blessings and answered prayers and miracles. But how well have we obeyed His commandments?  Are we always as kind and forgiving toward others as we should be?  Do we always take every opportunity to serve? Do we sometimes gossip or tell less than the truth?  Do we make excuses for ourselves? Are we sometimes self righteous, seeing the sins of others but justifying ourselves (like thinking how stupid the Israelites were for worshiping the golden calf while we worship money or power or recreation, or anything that we place above the Lord in our lives). The Lord has richly blessed us.  And all He asks is our obedience.  Nehemiah 9:6-18 "Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.  Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous: And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea; And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.  And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.  Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:  And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:  And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them. But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,  And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet show Jesus commanded His disciples to go and teach all nations to observe the things He had taught them, and to baptize those they taught. To those who keep the commandments, the Lord has promised to be with them even unto the end of the world.  Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read some words which Mormon wrote as he abridged the plates, centuries after they were written and after the coming of Christ. He had witnessed almost the endure destruction of his people. He was about to deliver the plates to his son Moroni who he felt would witness the entire destruction of their people but who would preserve the records for the benefit of others at a later date. He testified that the prophecies in the plates had either been fulfilled or they would be fulfilled.  Mormon 1:1-6 " And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites.  And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them. And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.  And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass— Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.  But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren."

In the Old Testament we read that Ezra read and interpreted the law of Moses to the people so that they understood it.  Nehemiah 8:1-8 "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.  And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:  And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are appropriate for today, Palm Sunday, describing how Jesus came into Jerusalem humbling on the colt of an ass and the people greeted Him waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel."  John 12:12-15 "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Amaleki lived to see the death of Mosiah and saw Mosiah's son Benjamin reign in his stead. He saw many wars and much bloodshed. Amaleki began to be old and since he had no seed to pass the plates down to, he turned them over to Benjamin, exporting all to believe in the gifts of the Spirit. He said that all good things come from God and all evil comes from the devil. He encouraged all to come unto Christ and partake of salvation. We should fast and pray and endure to the end.  Omni 1:23-30 "Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah; and I have lived to see his death; and Benjamin, his son, reigneth in his stead. And behold, I have seen, in the days of king Benjamin, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage over them; yea, insomuch that king Benjamin did drive them out of the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil. And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.  And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi; for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance.   Wherefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their leader being a strong and mighty man, and a stiffnecked man, wherefore he caused a contention among them; and they were all slain, save fifty, in the wilderness, and they returned again to the land of Zarahemla.  And it came to pass that they also took others to a considerable number, and took their journey again into the wilderness.  And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking."

In the Old Testament I read that the wall of Jerusalem was finished, in spite of enemies trying to prevent it.  When these enemies heard that the work was complete, they were sad.  They knew that this work was wrought of God. No one can stop the work of God from progressing!   Nehemiah 6:15-16 "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.  And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God."

A verse with a thought booklet says that in the day we call upon God, He draws nea to us and tells u not to fear.  We can turn to the Lord for hope and comfort.  Lamentations 3:57 "Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not."