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."