Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the wicked men again came to scatter the flocks. Ammon told the other servants o encircle the flocks to keep them together and he would contend with the men. The men were not afraid of him because he was only one person, but they did not know that the Lord was with him.  He was able to slaw some of them by slinging stones at them.  This made the others angry and them came after him with clubs.  He cut off the arms of everyone who came against him with their clubs. The servants carried the arms in unto the king as a testimony of what had taken place.  Alma 17:33-39 " And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.  Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.  Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.  But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they could not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.  But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm. Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few.  And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done."

In the Old Testament we read the story about how the king wanted to feed the young men rich foods and wine, but Daniel and his friends did not want to defile themselves by partaking.  Instead, Daniel asked to be fed water and grains.  The prince of the eunuchs was afraid to grant him this request because he thought their health would suffer and then he'd get in trouble. But Daniel convinced him to let them try out this diet for ten days just to see what would happen.  At the end of this time, Daniel and his friends were healthier than those who were fed the king's food.  And not only were they healthier physically, but they had more wisdom and understanding as well.  When we take care of our bodies by eating the right things, we're also blessed mentally and spiritually too.  Daniel 1:3-20 "And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;  Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.  And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.  Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:  Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.  And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.  Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.  And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recount how Jesus taught in the temple and the Jews marveled at how much He knew, having never been educated in such things.  Jesus explained that His doctrine was not His, but His that sent Him.  In other words, He had learned what He knew directly from Heavenly Father--the best source of knowledge anyone can have!  Have there been times in your life when your worldly knowledge failed you, but when you humbly sought help from the Lord, He taught you what you needed to know?  That has happened to me, sometimes in such simple things as trying to figure out how to set up some new gadget, or find something I've misplaced.  But also in more important things like how to care for a sick loved one.  The Lord knows everything, and He can teach us what we need to know if we'll humbly seek Him.  John 7:14-16 "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."