Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma, greatly distressed by the iniquity of the Zoramites, prayed unto God asking how long he would need to dwell in the flesh to behold such gross wickedness which pained his soul. He asked the Lord to comfort him and give him patience in his afflictions. He asked that he and his brethren would be able to bring souls to Christ, knowing that these people were precious in the sight of God. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Lord provided for them that they would not hunger or thirst and He gave them the strength that they needed.  Because Alma prayed in faith, they were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.   Alma 31:26-38 "And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried, saying: O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men? Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world. Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.  Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them that there shall be no Christ.  O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.  O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.  O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, and also my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ. Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.  O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.  Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee. Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.  And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."

In the New Testament we read about how the people had traditions passed down to them from their fathers about ritually washing themselves, washing their hands carefully before eating, washing their cups, jugs, sleeping mats, etc. Jesus reprimanded them for being hypocrites.  On the surface they seemed clean and appeared to honor God, but inside where it counted they were corrupt and their worship was empty. They would get around the commandment to honor their parents by claiming what they were withholding from their parents was a gift to God. They found a way to do away with God's word in favor of rules handed down by men. Things that enter into a man don't have the power to contaminate the way that things coming out of him do. Things taken in go into the stomach and pass out into the sewer.  But it's from inside a man, from the human heart, that evil comes that can truly contaminate.  Sins like adultery, theft, murder, greed, deceit, evil action, unrestrained immorality, envy, pride, and foolishness begin with impure thoughts that come from inside a person and that is what contaminates a man in the sight of God.  Mark 7:1-23 "Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.  And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.  And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?  And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. m"

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us to highly esteem and love those who are over us in the Lord and admonish us as they labor among us.  We need to respect and love our leaders, even when they have to chastise us. There are many ways we can show our appreciation to them--thanking them for all they do, praying for them, sending them a card or note, or baking a special treat for them. Sometimes they may feel overwhelmed with the burdens placed upon them and just a word of appreciation can help lift their spirits. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."