Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon e read that the rebels had gained possession of the city of Zarahemla and had appointed a king over them who had joined an alliance with the Lamanites. Pahoransaid that he was not angry at Moroni for censuring him, but rejoiced in the greatness of Moroni's heart. Pahoran said he wanted to preserve the rights and liberty of his people. He was willing to put his trust in the Lord, who would deliver them. He did not delight in the shedding of blood but was willing to do what was necessary to preserve their freedoms.  He told Moroni to come to him with a few of his men so they could take possession of the city of Zarahemla so they could obtain more food to send to Lehi and Teancum and put an end to this great iniquity. He said they should not fear, for God would deliver them.   Alma 61:8-21 "They have got possession of the land, or the city, of Zarahemla; they have appointed a king over them, and he hath written unto the king of the Lamanites, in the which he hath joined an alliance with him; in the which alliance he hath agreed to maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance he supposeth will enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land, and he shall be placed king over this people when they shall be conquered under the Lamanites.  And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free.  And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land.  We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.  We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do. But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.  Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.  Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them.  Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me.  Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your march hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in the strength of our God according to the faith which is in us.  And we will take possession of the city of Zarahemla, that we may obtain more food to send forth unto Lehi and Teancum; yea, we will go forth against them in the strength of the Lord, and we will put an end to this great iniquity.  And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.  But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.  See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni."

In the New Testament we read that we must build each other up on the foundation of our faith.  We need to pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep each other in the love of God.  We need to wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ who will give us eternal life, and have mercy on others, making a difference in their lives as well. Jude 1:20-22 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And of some have compassion, making a difference:"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that what the Lord requires of us is to do justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with the Lord our God.  Micah 6:8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"