Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Zoramites were angry because of the Word of God which had been preached to them and they refused to hearken to what they had been taught. They cast out those who believed in the word of God, and they went to Jershon where they were ministered unto by Alma and his brethren.  Alma 35:1-7 "Now it came to pass that after Amulek had made an end of these words, they withdrew themselves from the multitude and came over into the land of Jershon. Yea, and the rest of the brethren, after they had preached the word unto the Zoramites, also came over into the land of Jershon.  And it came to pass that after the more popular part of the Zoramites had consulted together concerning the words which had been preached unto them, they were angry because of the word, for it did destroy their craft; therefore they would not hearken unto the words.  And they sent and gathered together throughout all the land all the people, and consulted with them concerning the words which had been spoken. Now their rulers and their priests and their teachers did not let the people know concerning their desires; therefore they found out privily the minds of all the people.  And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of all the people, those who were in favor of the words which had been spoken by Alma and his brethren were cast out of the land; and they were many; and they came over also into the land of Jershon.  And it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister unto them."

In the New Testament we read about Jesus being criticized for allowing a sinful woman to touch his feet and pour ointment on them.  Jesus pointed out that if two debtors (one with a large debt and one with a smaller debt) were both forgiven, the one who had been forgiven of the great debt would be the most grateful.  The woman who had been forgiven of a great sin was the most grateful to Jess and had shown her gratitude by the way she treated Him.  Jesus told the woman that her faith had saved her and her sins were forgiven.  Luke 7:36-50 "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.  And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us whatever is honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy is what we would think about.  Have you ever seen the previews of a movie or TV series and got excited to see it?  But then once you got into it the bad language and smut and violence made you realize that these were not the influences you wanted in your life?  It may seem like a small thing to turn off the TV or walk out of the theater, but avoiding the not-so-pure show is a step toward keeping our thoughts clean and honoring the God we love.  Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."