Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ammon was able to perceive through the spirit what the king was thinking. This amazed the king even more, who asked him if he was the Great Spirit.  Ammon told him that he was not and began to teach him by what power he had been able to accomplish the things that he had.  Alma 18: 16-23 "And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings? I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do. Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things? Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.  And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—  And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.  Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.  And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile."

In the Old Testament we read that Daniel admonished the king to be righteous and break off his sins and iniquities.  He told him to show mercy to the poor.  By doing these things, he would find tranquility.  Indeed, all of us could have more tranquil and peaceful lives by keeping the commandments and doing what is right.  Daniel 4:27 "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." 

A verse with a thought booklet talks about people who draw near to the Lord with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him.  I think sometimes we read this and automatically think this refers to other people, certainly not us!  But think about it.  Have you ever said a prayer, similar to other prayers you say day after day, but you're not even really paying attention to what you're praying?  Have you ever sat in church and instead of listening to what is being said, your mind is on something else?  Have you taken the sacrament and not really thought much about your Savior or the covenants you're making? Do you sometimes merely go through the motions at church, while keeping God at arm's length?  We may all, at times, be guilty of this.   Isaiah 29:13 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"