Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that a man named Amlici sought to become king. This man was cunning as to the things of the world, like Neho who slew Gideon. He gained much power over the people and drew many after him. It was his intent to destroy the church of God. There was much contention and dispute. However, the people voted on the matter, whether they were for or against Amlici, and the voice of the people was against him.  So he did not become king.  Alma 2:1-7 "And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law—  Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the people.  Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such things must be established by the voice of the people.  Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the church of God.  And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together throughout all the land, every man according to his mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another. And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord has chosen us in the furnace of affliction and has refined us. Sometimes we need to go through sore trials and tribulations in order to become the people we need to become.  Our suffering refines us and helps us to be strong.  Isaiah 48:10 " Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that sometimes people sow and other people reap the harvest.  This can be true in planting crops or flowers.  Oe person might plant a wonderful garden move away, and the new residents can enjoy the fruits of the former owners labors.  It can also be true in the gospel.  One person might plant the seeds of the gospel in the life of a person who does not accept it at that time, but later (sometimes many years later) those seeds will grow and the person does accept the gospel when their hearts are ready. Sometimes we're the seed planters and other times we are able to reap the harvest of what others have already planted. Either way, we can rejoice together.  John 4:36-38 "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours."