Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read an explanation of the Nephite monetary system.  Alma 11:3-19 "And the judge received for his wages according to his time—a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is equal to a senine of gold; and this is according to the law which was given.  Now these are the names of the different pieces of their gold, and of their silver, according to their value. And the names are given by the Nephites, for they did not reckon after the manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem; neither did they measure after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and their measure, according to the minds and the circumstances of the people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges, they having been established by king Mosiah.  Now the reckoning is thus—a senine of gold, a seon of gold, a shum of gold, and a limnah of gold.  A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrom of silver, and an onti of silver.  A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of grain. Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value of a senine. And a shum of gold was twice the value of a seon.  And a limnah of gold was the value of them all.  And an amnor of silver was as great as two senums. And an ezrom of silver was as great as four senums.  And an onti was as great as them all.  Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their reckoning—  A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for half a measure of barley.  And a shiblum is a half of a shiblon.  And a leah is the half of a shiblum.  Now this is their number, according to their reckoning.  Now an antion of gold is equal to three shiblons."

In the Old Testament we read that Ezekiel was called by God to take the word of the Lord to rebellious Israel.  He was told not to fear because he would speak the words of the Lord.  Ezekiel 2:1-8 "And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.  And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.  And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.  For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.  But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that keeping the commandments teaches us great wisdom and understanding. Instead of looking at the commandments as restrictions, we should love them and meditate upon them. The word of the Lord can be a lamp unto our feet which lights our path.  Psalms 119:97-106 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments."