Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read Alma's commandments to his son Shiblon.  He told them that if he kept the commandments of God, he would prosper, but if not he would be cuff off from God's presence. Alma commended Shiblon for being steadfast in his faithfulness. He had looked to God in his youth and Alma had hope that he would continue on that course and endure to the end.  Alma 38:1-2 "My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end."

In the New Testament we read an example of caving in to peer pressure.  Pilot knew Jesus was not guilty of death, but the people kept insisting that He be crucified.  Pilot suggested that Jesus just be whipped and set free, but the people were adamant that Jesus be killed, even preferring that a rioter and murderer be set free before Jesus be allowed to go free  Instead of standing up for what he knew to be right, Pilot gave in to the demands of the crowd and turned Jesus over to be crucified.  When we know something is right, do we have the courage to stand our ground, even if we're alone?  Or, like Pilot, do we allow the demands of others to sway us?  Luke 23: 13-25 "And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.  I will therefore chastise him, and release him.  (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:  (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.  And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that instead of allowing ourselves to be overcome by evil, we need to overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."