Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma remembered the words of his father concerning Jesus Christ who would atone for the sins of the world. He cried out to God for mercy and was no longer harrowed up by the memory of his sins, but was filled with light and joy. He was able to stand upon his feet and manifest to the people that he had been born of God.  Alma 36:17-23 "And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.  And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.  And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!  Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.  Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there. But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God."

In the New Testament we read that Jesus told us to stop worrying! Why worry about what we'll eat or what we'll wear.  Life is ore than food and clothing.  The ravens don't plant or harvest, in yet the Lord feeds them. And we're worth more than birds! All the worrying in the world can't add a single moment to our life. Instead, put the Kingdom of God first, and other things will be added unto us.  Luke 12:22-34 "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

A verse with a thought booklet shows Jesus chastising two men who had heard about His resurrection from the dead, in yet did not believe it, even though the prophets down through the ages had testified that it would happen.  In fact, these men had walked with Jesus and not even recognized Him.  He called them fools and slow to believe!  Do we have faith to really believe or are our hearts hardened to block out the Lord?  Luke 24:25 "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:"