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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Moroni gathered together all those who wanted liberty to stand against the Amalickiahites.  When Amalickiah saw that he was outnumbered, and also that those who followed him were becoming doubtful about the justice of his cause, he took those who were willing and departed into the land of Nephi. Moroni did not want the Lamanaites to have any more strength so he decided to cut off the Amalickiahites and put Amalickiah to death to keep him from stirring up the Lamanites to anger and joining with them so he might obtain his purpose. So Moroni gathered together his armies and entered into a covenant with them to keep the peace. He marched into the wilderness to cut off the course of Amalickiah.  Alma 46:28-32 "And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.  And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and he also saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi.  Now Moroni thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites should have any more strength; therefore he thought to cut off the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them back, and put Amalickiah to death; yea, for he knew that he would stir up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come to battle against them; and this he knew that Amalickiah would do that he might obtain his purposes.  Therefore Moroni thought it was expedient that he should take his armies, who had gathered themselves together, and armed themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the peace—and it came to pass that he took his army and marched out with his tents into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickiah in the wilderness. And it came to pass that he did according to his desires, and marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the armies of Amalickiah."

In the New Testament we read about a plot to kill Paul.  In fact, 40 people vowed not to eat anything until he had been killed and formed a plot to ambush him on his way to being brought before the chief captain.  However, Paul's nephew warned the chief captain of this scheme.  Acts 23:12-21 "And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.  And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.  And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.  Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.  And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.  Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.  So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?  And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.  But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read what Jesus had to ay when people accused Him of associating with sinners.  He explained that just as healthy people don't need the help of doctors, but sick people do, so He had not come to call the righteous to repentance, but rather the sinners.    Luke 5:30-32 "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

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