Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when Moroni read Helaman's epistle, he was very happy over their welfare and over the fact that they had been able to regain the cities which had previously been lost. He sent an epistle to Pahoran asking that he send support so they could maintain the lands they had gained. He then made preparations to battle the Lamanites.  While he was still making those preparations, the Lamanites attacked the city of Nephihah and there was a great slaughter. The Lamanites were so numerous that the people of Nephihah fled before them and joined the army of Moroni. Moroni was angry with the government for not sending help, feeling that they were indifferent concerning the freedom of their country.   Alma 59:1-13 "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and had read Helaman's epistle, he was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost. Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might rejoice also.  And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman, insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land which he had been so miraculously prospered in regaining.  And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them.  And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of Moroni and the city of Lehi and the city of Morianton, were attacked by the Lamanites.  Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land.  And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay them with an exceedingly great slaughter.  And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moroni. And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city.  Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places which he had recovered. And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.  Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.  And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country."

In the New Testament we're told that if we want to love life and seek good days we should keep our tongue from speaking evil and our lips from speaking lies.  We should shun evil and do good, seeking peace and chasing after it.  The Lord will keep His eyes on the righteous and listen to their prayers, but He cannot tolerate those who do evil.  1 Peter 3:10-12 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Some verses with a thought booklet emphasize the point that little things matter. Ants are small but are wise to prepare their food in the summer.  Tiny spiders may be found in the in the palaces of kings. Little things do matter.  One misplaced comma can change the meaning of a sentence.  One misplaced letter in an email address will make it undeliverable.  One harsh word can break a heart.  And one kind word can make a person's day and change their whole attitude. Little things can indeed make a difference, for good or ill. Let's make sure all the little things we do during the day help to make the world a better place.   Proverbs 30:24-28 "There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces."