Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Helaman went forth to preach the word of the Lord to the people and to establish the church among them, appointing priests and teachers. However, the people grew rich and became proud, and then they refused to give heed to the words of Helaman who admonished them to walk uprightly before God. Alma 45:20-24 "And now it came to pass in the commencement of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Helaman went forth among the people to declare the word unto them.  For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the people, it became expedient that the word of God should be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made throughout the church. Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches.  And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren;  But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God."

In the New Testament we read about the need to have proper priesthood authority.  When some unauthorized people tried to cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus, the spirits turned on them and overpowered them, saying they knew Jesus and they had heard of Paul, but who were they?  Acts 19:13-16 "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us of the shortness of life.  Maybe we live 70 years, or 80 years if we're strong.  but after work and sorrow our days are cut off and then we fly off.  We need to make the best use we can of our short time on earth, and not waste our time fretting over the past or worrying about the future.  Take each day and live it the best way we can.  Psalms 90:10 "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."