In the Book of Mormon we read that Nephi was downcast because of the iniquities of the people. But the voice of the Lord came to him commending him for trying to preach the gospel to the people, in spite of peril to his own life. He had been steadfast in keeping the commandments and the Lord wold bless him, giving what he asked for because the Lord knew he would not ask for anything contrary to the Lord's will. He would be given power to seal in heaven and on earth. Helaman 10: 1-10 "And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them. And it came to pass that Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him. And it came to pass as he was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people. Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people. And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done. And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done. And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass."
In the Old Testament we read that after Jacob died, Joseph's brothers feared that Joseph would hold a grudge against them and try to get even with them for the terrible things they had done to him, selling him as a slave. They approached Joseph and told him that their father had wanted him to forgive them. Joseph reassured them that he did indeed forgive them and pointed out that the Lord had used the situation for good. The brothers wept together and Joseph assured them that they had nothing to fear and that he would take care of them. What a great example of forgiveness and love! Genesis 50:15-21 "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to watch waht God does and then do the same, just like children learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love wasn't cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us, but in order to give everything of Himself to us. We need to love like that Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
In the Old Testament we read that after Jacob died, Joseph's brothers feared that Joseph would hold a grudge against them and try to get even with them for the terrible things they had done to him, selling him as a slave. They approached Joseph and told him that their father had wanted him to forgive them. Joseph reassured them that he did indeed forgive them and pointed out that the Lord had used the situation for good. The brothers wept together and Joseph assured them that they had nothing to fear and that he would take care of them. What a great example of forgiveness and love! Genesis 50:15-21 "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to watch waht God does and then do the same, just like children learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love wasn't cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us, but in order to give everything of Himself to us. We need to love like that Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
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