Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that we need to help the poor and visit the sick and afflicted, or else our prayers are vain and we are hypocrites who deny the faith.  Alma 34:28-29 "And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men."

In the New Testament we read that after Simon had worked hard all night trying to catch fish but had been unsuccessful, Jesus asked him to row out again and let down his nets.  Simon pointed out that they'd had no luck all night but because Jesus asked him to, he did it anyway. And he caught so many fish that he had to call another boat to help him with the haul of fish! And both boats were so full they were about to sink.  Sometimes the Lord asks us to do something that makes no sense or doesn't seem like it would work.  But if we have the faith to do it anyway, we'll be rewarded in ways we can't imagine.  Luke 5:4-7 "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how the Israelites sought for a king to rule over them so they could be like other nations, even though this was not the Lord's will for them.  Samuel warned the what would happen if they got a king. He would take their sons and daughters, he would take their best fields and orchards, he would take a tenth of their produce, take their servants, cattle and flocks. Take, take, take.  How many times have we chosen a way contrary to the Lord's will in our lives?  Sometimes we pray for things that are not good for us and insist that our requests be granted!  Sometimes we deliberate choose something to be king over our lives, even though we know it's in opposition to God. And sometimes our choices take away our peace, take our finances, take our joy, take our hope, take our faith, take our sound mind.  Take, take, take.  We need to be careful what we ask for and make sure it is according to God's will.  Otherwise, we'll reap the consequences. 1 Samuel 8:4-22 "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.  And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.  Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king.  And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.  And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.  And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.  And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.  And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.  And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.  He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.  And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;  That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.  And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.  And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city."