Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Helaman believed the words of Alma, including his teachings about Jesus Christ. Helaman said that he would keep the commandments with all his heart.  Alma told him that the Lord would bless ad prosper him.  Alma 45:2-8 "And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma came unto his son Helaman and said unto him: Believest thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records which have been kept?  And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe.  And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesus Christ, who shall come? And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast spoken. And Alma said unto him again: Will ye keep my commandments?  And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart. Then Alma said unto him: Blessed art thou; and the Lord shall prosper thee in this land."

In the New Testament we read what Paul preached in Pisidian Antioch.  He taught how Jesus' crucifixion, atonement and resurrection were all prophesied in the scriptures and had been fulfilled.  And through Him, we can be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected as well.  Acts 13:26-41 "Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.  But God raised him from the dead:  And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.  And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.  And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.  Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:  But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet are familiar ones we've read many times, but I think we need to be continually reminded of them because it's difficult to do what they tell us to do--love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us.  Are we always kind to those who are unkind to us?  What are our feelings towards those who frustrate and irritate us?  If we something think unkind things about the difficult people in our lives, we have cause to repent and do better.  Maybe after we read these verses for the umpteenth time, they'll finally sink in and we'll be able to make some needed changes in our lives.  Matthew 5:43-44 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"