Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Nephites concealed their army and they were able to take the Lamanites by surprise as they crossed a river, encircling them. A battle ensued. The Lamanites were getting the worst of it, for their lack of armor. The Lamanites became frightened, due to the great destruction among them, and they began to flee. However, the Nephites pursued them and continued to attack them.  Alma 43:34-42 "And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on the north of the hill, where a part of the army of Moroni was concealed. And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and came into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.  And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they saw the Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about and began to contend with the army of Lehi. And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.  While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that the Lamanites became frightened, because of the great destruction among them, even until they began to flee towards the river Sidon. And they were pursued by Lehi and his men; and they were driven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the waters of Sidon. And Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of the river Sidon that they should not cross.  And it came to pass that Moroni and his army met the Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon, and began to fall upon them and to slay them.  And the Lamanites did flee again before them, towards the land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of Moroni."

In the New Testament we read that the community of believers were one in heart and mind.  They didn't claim that any possession was theirs, but held everything in common. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them and donate the proceeds from the sales, placing it in the care of the apostles so it could be distributed to anyone who was in need. As a result there was no needy among them. Living this way requires great love toward others, and unselfishness. If we have an abundance of worldly goods and see that others have great need, how willing are we to share what we have?  Acts 4:32-37 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we are the offspring of God and all nations are of one blood. When we seek God and feel after Him, He is not far from us and we will find Him. In Him we live and move and have our being.  Acts 17:26-28 "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."