Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that even though Nehor was put to death, that did not stop the preaching of priestcraft throughout the land. Many people loved the vain things of the world and taught priestcraft in order to gain riches and honor. They pretended to belief what they preached, so the law could have no power over them.  And they did not steal or murder, for fear of the law. However, they began to persecute the humble people who belonged to the Church of God who had taken upon them the name of Christ. There grew so much contention that the people began to fight one another with their fists. Alma 1: 16-22 "Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.  Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.  And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death.  But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.  Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price. Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves. Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists."

In the Old Testament we read a wonderful reminder that we do not need to feel fear or be dismayed--the Lord will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with His right hand.  Whatever trials or struggles we might be faced with, we don't need to face them alone.  The Lord will be by our side through it all, helping us get through whatever we need to do Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Some verses with a thought booklet are some of the most familiar verses in the Bible.  They tell us that God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  He sent His Son, not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.  This is wonderful news!  And it's news meant for every one of us.  It's personal.  God so loved YOU that He sent His Son to save YOU.  Christ atoned for YOUR sins.  He broke the bonds of death so that YOU could live forever.  And all this was done out of love for YOU.  Yes, YOU!!!  John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."