Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that those who would not hearken unto Helaman and his brethren gathered together, becoming angry and desiring to slay them. The leader of these angry people was a large and strong man named Amalickiah. He wanted to be king and those who followed him also were seeking for power. Amalickiah flattered them and told them that if they would make him king, he would make them rulers over the people. Many in the church believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah and they dissented from the church as a result. It is very sad to note this happening so soon after they had rejoiced in the Lord because He had delivered them from the hands of the Lamanites.  How soon they forgot the Lord, and how quickly they turned to iniquity! And we can also see how the wickedness of just one man can cause so much damage.  Alma 46:1-10 "And it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren.  And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them. Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah.  And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power.  And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be their king that he would make them rulers over the people.  Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church. And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord. Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.  Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.  Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake."

In the New Testament we read about what a wonderful missionary Paul was.  He served the Lord with great humility and tears in the midst of great trials. He held back nothing that would be helpful so that he could proclaim the gospel, both publicly and privately in their homes. He testified to both Jews and Greeks that they must change their hearts and lives and turn to God and have faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even his life, was more important than his completing his mission--the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus to testify about the goo news of God's grace.  Acts 20:19-21, 24 "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life. For centuries, lighthouses have guided ships away from dangers shoals and hazardous reefs and on to safe harbors. Likewise, the spiritual light which Jesus provides guides those of us traveling on our earthly journey away from the dangers of the world and keeps us on the right path to eternal life. His Light illuminates our minds and charges our hearts.  John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."