Daily thoughts

I write these Daily Thoughts many weeks in advance and noticed this morning that I seem to be off a day in sending them.  Don't know if I missed a day or duplicated a day or what, but I'm sending two days worth today to get them reconciled.  

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lamanites knew nothing of God and no one taught them. They prospered in riches and were wise as to things of the world, but they delighted in wickedness. Mosiah 24:1-7 "And it came to pass that Amulon did gain favor in the eyes of the king of the Lamanites; therefore, the king of the Lamanites granted unto him and his brethren that they should be appointed teachers over his people, yea, even over the people who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the land of Shilom, and in the land of Amulon.  For the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands; therefore, the king of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all these lands.  And now the name of the king of the Lamanites was Laman, being called after the name of his father; and therefore he was called king Laman. And he was king over a numerous people.  And he appointed teachers of the brethren of Amulon in every land which was possessed by his people; and thus the language of Nephi began to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites.  And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless they knew not God; neither did the brethren of Amulon teach them anything concerning the Lord their God, neither the law of Moses; nor did they teach them the words of Abinadi;  But they taught them that they should keep their record, and that they might write one to another.  And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began to trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world, yea, a very cunning people, delighting in all manner of wickedness and plunder, except it were among their own brethren." 

In the Old Testament we read that just like a fire will go out without wood to burn, so will strife cease if there is no talebearer to fuel the flames of contention.  The words of a talebearer cause deep wounds.  Proverbs 26:21-22 "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a person who hears the Word of God, understands it, and bears fruit is like a seed planted on good soil. When we hear the Word of God, do we allow it to sprout in our souls?  Do we put into practice the things the Lord has told us to do? Do we bring forth fruit by the good that we do? It's not enough to just listen to spiritual ideas such as how to love and serve others, we need to allow these things to grow in our hearts and blossom in our lives.   Matthew 13:23 "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

In the Book of Mormon we read that Amulon persecuted Alma and his people, putting heavy tasks on them and putting them to death if they prayed. The people stopped praying vocally, but poured out their hearts to God in silent prayer, which God heard. When we're in situations where we cannot pray aloud, we can rest assured that God will hear and answer our silent prayers.  Mosiah  24:8-12 "And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise authority over Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him, and cause that his children should persecute their children.  For Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king's priests, and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi and was driven out before the king, and therefore he was wroth with him; for he was subject to king Laman, yet he exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put task-masters over them. 0 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.  And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.  And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts."

In the Old Testament we read that the wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the righteous are bold as a lion.  When we sin it makes us paranoid and we find ourselves looking over our shoulders.  But the righteous have nothing to fear.  Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that eternal life is that we may know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."