Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Nephites had so many prisoners it was difficult to keep them under control and they were using up valuable provisions to keep them. They decided to send these prisoners to Zarahemla. But the men sent to transport the prisoners came back in time to help them fight the Lamanites who were upon them.  The 2,060 stripling warriors fought with all their might and were firm and undaunted. They were obedient and full of faith. It as because of these stripling warriors, and the men who came back from transporting the prisoners, who gave victory to the battle and allowed them to retain the city of Cumeni. However, the Nephites did suffer great losses. None of the strpling warriors were killed, although thy all received many wounds and 200 of tem fainted because of loss of blood. It was a miracle that none of them was killed, and this was because of their greatfaith and trust in God.  Alma 57:13-27 "But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous that, notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were obliged to employ all our force to keep them, or to put them to death.  For behold, they would break out in great numbers, and would fight with stones, and with clubs, or whatsoever thing they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war.  Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should put an end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the land of Zarahemla; and also our provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which we had taken from the Lamanites.  And now, in those critical circumstances, it became a very serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of war; nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of Zarahemla; therefore we selected a part of our men, and gave them charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of Zarahemla.  But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions and also a numerous army of men.  And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were about to overpower us.  But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and did administer death unto all those who opposed them.  And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.  Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.  And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti.  And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.  And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.  And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.  And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.  Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."

In the New Testament we read that the Lord disciplines those that He loves. Just as any loving parent disciples their children, so does our Heavenly Father disciple us, His children, for our own good.  Even though being chastened is no fun when it happens to us, it really is for our best.  Hebrews 12:5-11 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that having a heavy heart can make our spirits droop, but a kind word can make us glad.  How many times during the day do we encounter people with heavy hearts and burdens that are weighing them down?  Perhaps a kind and encouraging word from us can make all the difference!  Proverbs 12:25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."