Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Helaman was commanded to keep the records which had been entrusted unto him and also add o them the record of the people. They were kept for a wise purpose and should be kept sacred, and handed down from one generation to the next, and preserved by the hand of the Lord.  Alma 37:1-5 "And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;  And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.  And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—  Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.  And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ."

In the New Testament we read a lesson Jesus taught about generosity.  When we host a dinner party and invite our family and friends who will repay us by inviting us to similar events, the return invitations are our reward.  But if we invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame who cannot return the favor, we will receive a great reward in he resurrection.  Luke 14:12-14 "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that athletes who run races must exercise self control in all things if they expect to win. If they do win, they receive a perishable wreath.  But we hope to obtain a crown which is lasting.  So how much more important is it for us to gain mastery over ourselves? Just as a physical body can become weak when we lead a lazy, sedentary lifestyle, so our spirits can become weak when we don't work our spiritual muscles. As important as physical fitness is, spiritual fitness is even more important and is deserving of our best efforts.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."