Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma appointed Nephihah to be the chief judge to govern the people. Alma continued being the high priest over the church and went forth among the people preaching the word o God to them, and trying to get rid of the pride and contention that existed among them.  Alma 4:16-20 "And he selected a wise man who was among the elders of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people.  Now this man's name was Nephihah, and he was appointed chief judge; and he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and to govern the people.  Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being high priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.  And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.  And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy."

In the Old Testament we read that those who fail to answer when the Lord calls and did evil before the Lord's eyes will have their fears brought upon them because they chose that which did not delight the Lord. They will be ashamed.  However, those who trembled at His word and suffered for His name's sake will find joy.  Isaiah 66:4-5 "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of how the Israelites needed water.  They came to a place that had water, but it was bitter and unfit to drink.  This was only three days after the Lord had parted the Red Sea for them, so you'd think they would trust in the Lord and know that He would provide for them.  But they murmured and complained.  But Moses turned to the Lord and cried unto Him, and He performed a miracle to make the water sweet.  He admonished the people and told them that if they would diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments, He would heal them. We have all seen many miracles in our lives, and times when the Lord has helped us through great difficulties.  How soon do we forget these things when more trials come upon us?  Are we quick to murmur or do we trust in the Lord that He will help us get through whatever comes our way?  Indeed, He can make the bitter sweet for us if we'll just turn to Him and keep His commandments.  Exodus 15:22-26 "So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.  And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?  And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,  And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee."