In the Book of Mormon we read that Mormon lead the Nephite armies in their battles against the Lamanites. In spite of fortifying themselves, the Lamanites came upon them with great strength and drove them out of their cities. They tried to gather themselves together but the land was filled with robbers. The people refused to repent of their evil doings and the wars brought much blood and carnage on both sides. Mormon 2:1-8 "And it came to pass in that same year there began to be a war again between the Nephites and the Lamanites. And notwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephi appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies. Therefore it came to pass that in my sixteenth year I did go forth at the head of an army of the Nephites, against the Lamanites; therefore three hundred and twenty and six years had passed away. And it came to pass that in the three hundred and twenty and seventh year the Lamanites did come upon us with exceedingly great power, insomuch that they did frighten my armies; therefore they would not fight, and they began to retreat towards the north countries. And it came to pass that we did come to the city of Angola, and we did take possession of the city, and make preparations to defend ourselves against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did fortify the city with our might; but notwithstanding all our fortifications the Lamanites did come upon us and did drive us out of the city. And they did also drive us forth out of the land of David. And we marched forth and came to the land of Joshua, which was in the borders west by the seashore. And it came to pass that we did gather in our people as fast as it were possible, that we might get them together in one body. But behold, the land was filled with robbers and with Lamanites; and notwithstanding the great destruction which hung over my people, they did not repent of their evil doings; therefore there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Nephites and also on the part of the Lamanites; and it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land."
In the Old Testament we read that the children of Israel continued doing evil things and forgetting the Lord, turning instead to idols. This made the Lord angry. But when they cried out to Him, he delivered them from their enemies. However, they just returned to doing evil once again. Doesn't seem like they ever learn from their mistakes and just keep repeating them. Are we the same way? Judges 3:7-12 "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years. And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us the secret that Paul learned in order to be happy and content regardless of his circumstances--whether hungry or well fed, sick or well, lacking in material things or abounding in wealth. The secret is to always rejoice in the Lord. We can do that no matter what is going on in our lives. Of course this is easier said than done. And it's not something we can learn in a flash. Rather, it's something that we need to gradually learn over time. Just like a child learning math or reading doesn't pick it up all at once, but with continual lessons and repeating concepts, we need to continually work on this. We need to pray to the Lord to guard our hearts against discontent and teach us the secret of abiding in Him. Philippians 4:11-20 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
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In the Old Testament we read that the children of Israel continued doing evil things and forgetting the Lord, turning instead to idols. This made the Lord angry. But when they cried out to Him, he delivered them from their enemies. However, they just returned to doing evil once again. Doesn't seem like they ever learn from their mistakes and just keep repeating them. Are we the same way? Judges 3:7-12 "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years. And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us the secret that Paul learned in order to be happy and content regardless of his circumstances--whether hungry or well fed, sick or well, lacking in material things or abounding in wealth. The secret is to always rejoice in the Lord. We can do that no matter what is going on in our lives. Of course this is easier said than done. And it's not something we can learn in a flash. Rather, it's something that we need to gradually learn over time. Just like a child learning math or reading doesn't pick it up all at once, but with continual lessons and repeating concepts, we need to continually work on this. We need to pray to the Lord to guard our hearts against discontent and teach us the secret of abiding in Him. Philippians 4:11-20 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
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