Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Satan sent forth lyings among the people to try to harden their hearts and deceive them.  But in spite of this, most of the people still believed and were converted unto the Lord. Nephi went forth baptizing those who believed and there began to be peace in the land once again. However, the Gadianton robbers who were hiding in the mountains did commit many murders, and some dissenters among the Nephites fled to join them. This was the cause of much sorrow to the Lamanites, who began to decrease in faith and righteousness because of the wickedness of the rising generation. 3 Nephi 1:22-30 "And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.  And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land. And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to preach, endeavoring to prove by the scriptures that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures.  But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were convinced of the error which they were in, for it was made known unto them that the law was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; therefore in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did confess their faults.  And thus the ninety and second year did pass away, bringing glad tidings unto the people because of the signs which did come to pass, according to the words of the prophecy of all the holy prophets.  And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass away in peace, save it were for the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the mountains, who did infest the land; for so strong were their holds and their secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people.  And it came to pass that in the ninety and fourth year they began to increase in a great degree, because there were many dissenters of the Nephites who did flee unto them, which did cause much sorrow unto those Nephites who did remain in the land.  And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who were Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.  And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation."

In the Old Testament we read that the building of the tabernacle was recorded at Moses' instructions.  Those who worked on building it made everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. When the Lord sends us commandments through His prophets, do we obey and do everything that the Lord says? Exodus 38:21-22 "This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.  And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of how Zacchaeus, a publican, turned his life around and wanted to make his life right with God.  Jesus went to Zacchaeus' house and others murmured about Jesus being a guest of a sinner. But the reason Jesus came was to save those who were lost.  Repentant sinners are welcomed into Jesus' loving arms, and that includes you and me.  Luke 19:1-10 "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."