Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the father of Lamoni was not at all happy with Ammon.  In fact, he commanded his son to kill Ammon instead of going to Midoni with him. But Lamoni stood up to his father, refusing to kill Ammon and insisting that he was going to Midoni with him. He said that Ammon and his brethren were prophets of the true God. This made his father very angry and he drew his sword to smite his son. Ammon stopped him and told him and told him that slaying his innocent son would cause him to lose his soul. This made the man even more angry and he tried toslay Ammon, who withstood his blows.  Alma 20:14-20 "Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.  But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.  Now when his father had heard these words, he was angry with him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth.  But Ammon stood forth and said unto him: Behold, thou shalt not slay thy son; nevertheless, it were better that he should fall than thee, for behold, he has repented of his sins; but if thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could not be saved.  And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst forbear; for if thou shouldst slay thy son, he being an innocent man, his blood would cry from the ground to the Lord his God, for vengeance to come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy soul.  Now when Ammon had said these words unto him, he answered him, saying: I know that if I should slay my son, that I should shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to destroy him.  And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon. But Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use it."

In the Old Testament we read that the pride of Israel testified against them.  They refused to return to the Lord and would not seek Him.  Hosea 7:10 "And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that as long as we live, we have a labor to perform, whatever God wants us to do.  But if we die, we'll be with Christ in a far better place.  So whether we live or die, it is all good and we can have joy.  We don't need to fear death.  We can rejoice in Christ no matter which side of the veil we are on.  Philippians 1:20-26 "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."