Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Moroni was angry with Ammoron's reply because he knew that Ammoron knew that his cause was not just. Moroni refused to exchange prisoners unless Ammoron withdrew his purpose. So Moroni drew up a plan to get his prisoners back.  He sent a man named Laman with some other men to the place where the Nephite prisoners were kept, the city of Gid. They approached the Lamanites claiming to be Lamanites themselves and claming to have escaped from the Nephites, having stolen their wine and brought it with them. This wine had been specially prepared to be extra strong and when the Lamanites drank it freely, they became drunk and went into a deep sleep.  Alma 55:1-15 "Now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi.  And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any more power than what he hath got. Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard my people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammoron would not grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto him according to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until they shall sue for peace.  And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words, he caused that a search should be made among his men, that perhaps he might find a man who was a descendant of Laman among them.  And it came to pass that they found one, whose name was Laman; and he was one of the servants of the king who was murdered by Amalickiah.  Now Moroni caused that Laman and a small number of his men should go forth unto the guards who were over the Nephites. Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gid; therefore Moroni appointed Laman and caused that a small number of men should go with him. And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who were over the Nephites, and behold, they saw him coming and they hailed him; but he saith unto them: Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite. Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they sleep; and behold we have taken of their wine and brought with us.  Now when the Lamanites heard these words they received him with joy; and they said unto him: Give us of your wine, that we may drink; we are glad that ye have thus taken wine with you for we are weary.  But Laman said unto them: Let us keep of our wine till we go against the Nephites to battle. But this saying only made them more desirous to drink of the wine;  For, said they: We are weary, therefore let us take of the wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations, which will strengthen us to go against the Nephites.  And Laman said unto them: You may do according to your desires. And it came to pass that they did take of the wine freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its strength.  And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and by they were all drunken.  And now when Laman and his men saw that they were all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and told him all the things that had happened."

In the New Testament we're told to pray for all people, including our political leaders.  God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously in this present world while looking forward with hope to the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us fro all iniquity.  Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."