Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ammon and the other servants drove the flocks to water.  Some Lamanites scattered the flocks, sending them in all directions. The other servants began to weep, fearing that the king would slay them for allowing his flocks to be scattered. Ammon tried to cheer the servants up, suggesting that they go gather up the flocks. They were able to gather them up again to the place of water.  Alma 17: 26- 32 "And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—  Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.  Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already.  Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.  And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.  And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.  And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water."

In the Old Testament we read that the gates of the city will bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the name of the city will be "The Lord is There." What a great name for a city!   Ezekiel 48: 30-35 "And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.  And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.  And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.  And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.  At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.  It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that all things will work together for our good if we love God.  When we're going through trials and tribulations, we need to remember that God has a plan for our lives.  It may not be all smooth sailing, but may require is to go through some difficult circumstances so we can learn and grow.  It will all be for our good in the end.  Maybe instead of praying for things to turn out a certain way that we want for ourselves or for this or that trial to not come our way, we should trust God enough to pray that our lives will go in the direction that He wants for us. It will all be for our good.  Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."