Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that that Lord chastens those He loves. But those who still refuse to repent will have great cause to mourn. The Lamanites had done iniquity because of the tradition of their fathers, but then many of them had repented and hey were now keeping the commandments of God. They were striving to bring others to the knowledge of the truth. They have been made free through their faith.  Helaman 15:1-8 "And now, my beloved brethren, behold, I declare unto you that except ye shall repent your houses shall be left unto you desolate.  Yea, except ye repent, your women shall have great cause to mourn in the day that they shall give suck; for ye shall attempt to flee and there shall be no place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish.  Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them. But behold my brethren, the Lamanites hath he hated because their deeds have been evil continually, and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their fathers. But behold, salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites; and for this intent hath the Lord prolonged their days.  And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses.  Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily.  And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—  Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord would be the God of the Israelites and would be among them. They would know that He is their God who brought them out of Egypt.  Exodus 29:45-46 "And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we need to search and try our ways and return to the Lord.  We need to lift up our heart unto God. It's very important that we examine our lives and our hearts to see if they are in tune with God and that we're doing what we should be doing in our lives. Today is a great day to meditate, pray, and examine our lives, and then to seek God's help and guidance in making any changes that might be necessary. We can all improve! Lamentations 3:40-41 "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.  Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."