And we talk of Christ,we rejoice in Christ,we preach of Christ..........2 Nephi 26:25

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-30T07:47:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite continued with his prophecies, talking about the great destruction and three days of darkness that would occur on the American continent at the time of the crucifixion of the Savior. Helaman 14:20-27 "But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead. Yea, at the time that he shall yield up the ghost there shall be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours, and the earth shall shake and tremble; and the rocks which are upon the face of this earth, which are both above the earth and beneath, which ye know at this time are solid, or the more part of it is one solid mass, shall be broken up; Yea, they shall be rent in twain, and shall ever after be found in seams and in cracks, and in broken fragments upon the face of the whole earth, yea, both above the earth and beneath. And behold, there shall be great tempests, and there shall be many mountains laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall be many places which are now called valleys which shall become mountains, whose height is great. And many highways shall be broken up, and many cities shall become desolate. And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many. And behold, thus hath the angel spoken unto me; for he said unto me that there should be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours. And he said unto me that while the thunder and the lightning lasted, and the tempest, that these things should be, and that darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days."

In the Old Testament we read about how Absalom conspired against David and was able to steal the hearts of the people and gain their support. 2 Samuel 15: 2-14 "And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that since Christ died for all and was resurrected from the dead, we need to live unto Him, not unto ourselves, and become new creatures unto Christ, old things having passed away. 2 Corinthians 5:15, 17 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-29T08:43:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite, who said that a sign would be given at the time of Christ's birth that there would be a day, a night, and a day in which there would be no darkness. Helaman 14:1-4 "And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written. And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born."

In the Old Testament we read how Nathan told David a parable of the ewe lamb and likened it to what David had done by taking Uriah's wife and having hims killed. David admits that he has committed a grave sin. Nathan tells him that the child that Bath-sheba bore will die. 2 Samuel 12: 1-14 "And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."

Some verses with a thought booklet show how even though we're all different and have different talents and abilities, we're all needed in the Kingdom of God. It's just like with different parts of the body. We need eyes to see and ears to hear--each part has its own function and each is needed in it's own way, all working together for the good of the whole. Some of us are good at teaching, others are good at fellowshipping and making others feel welcome, still others are good at serving and being sensitive to the needs of others. Whatever our gifts and talents are, we need to use them for the benefit of others as we all work together. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 "For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-28T09:34:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the sad state of those who procrastinate the day or their repentance until it is everlastingly too late. Those who seek to find happiness in doing iniquity will find that such is against the nature of happiness. Wickedness never was happiness! Helaman 13: 38-39 "But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words! And I pray that the anger of the Lord be turned away from you, and that ye would repent and be saved."

Yesterday we read about how David allowed lust in his heart to cause him to commit sin and get a married woman pregnant. Today we read how he committed an even greater sin of having her husband killed in battle and then taking her to be his wife. One bad thing lead to another, and the Lord was very displeased with what David had done. If we do something wrong, we need to repent right away and turn our lives back around before we head on a downward spiral to even worse things. 2 Samuel 11:14-15, 26-27 "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to always give thanks unto our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, for all things. ALL things! It's one thing to express our gratitude to the Lord for our health, our families, our homes, all the blessings in our lives. But is it so easy to give thanks for illnesses, financial setbacks, a job loss, and other trials and tribulations that come our way? In yet, we're told to give thanks in ALL things. And even our difficult situations can turn into blessings in disguise when we look back at them after we're gone through them. In the eternal prospective of things, all things work together for our good and help strengthen us and help us to become the people we have the potential to become. If we truly can give thanks in ALL things, it will change our attitudes and help us find joy even in the midst of our trials. Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-27T07:21:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Lord's anger is kindled against wicked people who seek to kill the prophets who testify against them and chastise them for their sins, but who love false prophets who tell them that everything they do is okay and they are not guilty of sin. It's sad when people love darkness rather than light. Helaman 13: 26-30 "Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light? Yea, behold, the anger of the Lord is already kindled against you; behold, he hath cursed the land because of your iniquity."

In the Old Testament we read about how David saw a beautiful woman bathing from his rooftop. Instead of walking away from this temptation, he sent for the woman even though she was married to someone else. David lied with her, and she became pregnant as a result. This all began with lustful thoughts that David allowed to enter into his mind as he watched her from his rooftop. When we're faced with unclean thoughts, we need to redirect our thoughts to something else such as a favorite hymn, before those thoughts take root and we end up doing things we'll later regret. 2 Samuel 11:2-5 "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet compare the difference between the old worldly man we once were and the new creature in Christ that we become when we take His name upon us. We put off such things as anger, wrath, malice, dishonesty, and filthy communications coming out of our mouths. Instead we show forth kindness, mercy, humility, longsuffering, forgiveness, and most of all charity. We allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts and have a grateful attitude, doing all things in the name of the Lord and giving thanks unto Him. Colossians 3:8-17 "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-26T08:04:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that if we will repent and return to the Lord, His anger will be turned away and we will be blessed. How wonderful that the door is always open for us to turn our lives around and repent, and He will welcome us with open arms. Helaman 13:11 "But if ye will repent and return unto the Lord your God I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lord; yea, thus saith the Lord, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto him that repenteth not."

In the Old Testament we read that David reigned over Israel and executed judgment and justice to all his people. He was a good king. 2 Samuel 8:15 "And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that when Judgment Day comes, people will be judged by how they treated other people and how they helped those in need. If they fed the hungry or visited the sick, it will be like they did these things to the Lord. But if they neglected to do these things, it will be like they neglected to help and serve the Lord. And everyone will receive their eternal reward or punishment based on whether they chose to love and share and serve or whether they chose to ignore the poor, the hungry, the hurting people they encountered during their lives. Matthew 25: 34-46 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-25T06:59:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the greatness and power of God. No matter what He commands, it is done! Helaman 12:7-17 "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God. Yea, behold at his voice do the hills and the mountains tremble and quake. And by the power of his voice they are broken up, and become smooth, yea, even like unto a valley. Yea, by the power of his voice doth the whole earth shake; Yea, by the power of his voice, do the foundations rock, even to the very center. Yea, and if he say unto the earth—Move—it is moved. Yea, if he say unto the earth—Thou shalt go back, that it lengthen out the day for many hours—it is done; And thus, according to his word the earth goeth back, and it appeareth unto man that the sun standeth still; yea, and behold, this is so; for surely it is the earth that moveth and not the sun. And behold, also, if he say unto the waters of the great deep—Be thou dried up—it is done. Behold, if he say unto this mountain—Be thou raised up, and come over and fall upon that city, that it be buried up—behold it is done."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord is great and there is none other like Him. 2 Samuel 7:22 "Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the way of the transgressor is hard. When we sin, it just makes life more difficult for us! Proverbs 13:15 "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-24T07:58:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that when the Lord blesses people with peace and prosperity they often forget Him and are quick to turn to iniquity. Sometimes He needs to chastise them with afflictions in order for them to humbles themselves before Him and turn to Him. How foolish people can be! We need to be on our guard that when things are going well for us, we don't make this same mistake and begin to forget that all our blessings come from the Lord. Helaman 12:2-5 "Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths!"

In the Old Testament we read that David decided to built a house for the Lord. At first Nathan, without consulting the Lord tells David to go ahead with his plans and the Lord would be with him. However, that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan and told him that David should not build the house for Him, but that after David dies his son should build the house. Are we sometimes like Nathan in that we get ideas we think are good and just go ahead and proceed with them without first consulting with the Lord? The understanding of men is very limited compared to the knowledge of the Lord. We need to pray and seek guidance about everything we do. 2 Samuel 7: 2-6, 12-13 "That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that when we cry unto the Lord, He helps us with our troubles and saves us from our distresses. We have great reason to praise Him for all the wonderful things He does for us. Psalms 107: 13-15 "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-23T08:02:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that in the space of just three years the people went from beginning to forget the Lord to waxing stronger and stronger in iniquity and ripening for destruction. We need to watch ourselves that we don't begin to forget God and start on the pathway that will lead us away from our eternal goals. Helaman 11:36-38 "And in the eighty and second year they began again to forget the Lord their God. And in the eighty and third year they began to wax strong in iniquity. And in the eighty and fourth year they did not mend their ways. And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction. And thus ended the eighty and fifth year."

In the Old Testament we read about how David inquired of the Lord whether or not he should go up against the Philistines. The Lord told him to do so and he would deliver him from their hands. If we seek the Lord's guidance, He will help us do what we need to do. 2 Samuel 5:19 "And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that because iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax cold. It's a cause and effect. Wicked people don't show forth love. So if we can't love other people, we can know for certain that our lives are on the wrong track. Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-22T07:18:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Nephi preached repentance to the people and declared to them that if they refused to repent they would be destroyed. But they hardened their hearts and would not listen to him. Instead they cast him into prison. But the Lord was with him and conveyed him out of the prison where he continued to declare the Word of God to the people. They still would not hearken to his words though, and there began great contentions among them that divided the people. Helaman 10:14-18 "Therefore Nephi did declare unto them the word of the Lord, saying: Except ye repent, thus saith the Lord, ye shall be smitten even unto destruction. And it came to pass that when Nephi had declared unto them the word, behold, they did still harden their hearts and would not hearken unto his words; therefore they did revile against him, and did seek to lay their hands upon him that they might cast him into prison. But behold, the power of God was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them. And it came to pass that thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people. And it came to pass that they would not hearken unto his words; and there began to be contentions, insomuch that they were divided against themselves and began to slay one another with the sword."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord spoke of David, saying that by his hand He would save His people Israel out of the hand of their enemies. 2 Samuel 3:18 "Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of Jesus talking to a woman by a well. He told her that people who drank water from the well would just get thirsty again. But He offered the kind of water that would spring up into everlasting life, and if men drank of that water, they would never thirst again. John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-21T08:22:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read Nephi's rebuke of the people who were blind and stiffnecked. He told them they ought to howl and mourn because of the great destruction that would await them unless they repented. Alma 9:21-22 "Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation; Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things—"

In the Old Testament I read that Saul was buried and David was anointed king. 2 Samuel 2:4 "And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul."

A verse with a thought booklet talks about having the Lord test and try us, and examine our heart and mind. This life is a test, and indeed the Lord can see into our hearts and minds and knows our every thought. Is He pleased with what He sees? Psalms 26: 2 "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that those who reject the words of God and refuse to repent of their sins, are heaping up for themselves wrath in the day of judgment. Unless they repent, they will ripen for destruction. Helaman 8: 24-26 "And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his prophecy? And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all— Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come."

In the Old Testament we read that the Amalekites invaded the land and took the women captive. This greatly grieved the people so they wept until they had no more to weep and wanted to take out their grief on David by stoning him. This understandably distressed David! But he turned to the Lord for encouragement. When we're at the end of our ropes with everything going wrong, do we turn to the Lord for help and comfort? 1 Samuel 30:1-6 "And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jesus being criticized for being a guest in the home of a sinner. But Jesus knew that this man was worth saving! And indeed, he was willing to repent and wanted to make restitution for the things he'd done wrong. It was Jesus' mission to save the lost. Luke 19:5-10 "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."
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-19T08:13:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the prophets all down through the ages testified of Jesus Christ. Helaman 8:19-22 "And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his prophecy? And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all— Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come."

In the Old Testament we read how the Lord again delivered Saul into David's hands but he choose not to kill him. 1 Samuel 26:7-11 "So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we repent of our sins, the Lord will be faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-18T07:58:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that Moses and Abraham other ancient prophets testified of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before He came. Just as Moses held up the brazen serpent in the wilderness and those who looked upon it lived, even so shall those who look about Jesus Christ with faith and a contrite spirit will live--even unto life that is eternal. Helaman 8:13-18 "But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah.Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal. And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham. Yea, and behold, Abraham saw of his coming, and was filled with gladness and did rejoice. Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Abraham who were called by the order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; and this that it should be shown unto the people, a great many thousand years before his coming, that even redemption should come unto them."

In the Old Testament I read about how Nabal treated David's men with such rudeness that David commanded his men to go and kill Nabal and all his household. But Nabal's wife Abigail went rushing forth to meet David and his men bearing them gifts and apologizing for her husband. She was able to make peace with David and he spared Nabal's life. However, the Lord struck Nabal down and he died anyway. When David heard about this he sent for Abigail and she became his wife. What a story! 1 Samuel 25 9-42 "And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife. And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord can help us increase in love for one another and establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before Him at the coming of Jesus Christ. If we're having trouble loving others or keeping the commandments, we can turn to the Lord for help and He will strength us and change our hearts to help us become the people He wants us to be. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-17T08:27:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that Nephi called the people to repentance for all their wickedness and told them that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. Helaman 7:17-22 "O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to anger against you. And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts. O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you? But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity. And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies."

In the Old Testament we read about how even though Saul had been seeking to kill David, when David found Saul sleeping in a cave and could have easily killed him, he refrained form doing so. But he but off the skirt of his robe and later showed it to Saul so that Saul could see for himself that he'd had an opportunity to kill him but did not do it. Saul could see that David was more righteous than he, treating him kindly even though Saul had wanted to kill him. How do we treat our enemies? Do we take every opportunity for revenge against them, or do we use restraint and reward their evil with good? 1 Samuel 24:2-10 "Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about our motives behind giving or doing good things. Do we do these things to be seen of men and loudly try to draw attention to our actions? If so, the notice we draw to ourselves from other people will be our sole reward. Or do we quietly go about doing good and give to others because we love them and want to help them, rather than seeking for other people to see what we're doing and think we're great? If we do good things out of love and a desire to serve rather than a desire for other men's praise, our Heavenly Father will reward us openly. So if we go out of our way to help someone else and nobody seems to notice, that's okay! We don't need thanks and recognition from other people. Heavenly Father sees what we did, and that's all that really matters. Matthew 6:1-4 "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-16T07:53:00.001-08:00

n the Book of Mormon we read that the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from the Nephites because of their wickedness, but the Lamanites were more willing to believe the word of the Lord, so He poured out His Spirit among them. The Lord blesses whatever people will hearken unto His words. Helaman 6: 35-36 "And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words."

In the Old Testament we read about how David inquired of the Lord what he should do regarding fighting against the Philistines. The Lord told him to go ahead and fight them and He would deliver them into his hands. When we're faced with obstacles and trials, do we pray to the Lord about what we should do? The Lord can help us prevail over our troubles if we'll trust in Him. 1 Samuel 23:1-5 "Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah."

Do you have a tendency to worry? I do! But a verse with a thought booklet tells us what to do about our worries and fears--seek the Lord's help! He will hear us and deliver us from all our fears. I've also noticed that if I concentrate on things I'm grateful for and thank the Lord for those things, it takes my mind off my worries and fears. It's difficult to have negative and positive thoughts at the same time. Psalms 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-15T07:24:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that Satan is the author of sin and it has been his evil influence down through the ages that caused Cain to kill Abel, the tower of Babel to be built, and the Gadianton robbers to carry on works of darkness among the Nephites. If people allow him to take hold of their hearts, they will trample the commandments of God under their feet and turn to their own ways instead of the Lord. Helaman 6: 27-31 "Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth. And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell. Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time. And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men. And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver."

In the Old Testament we read of Saul's desire to kill David, due to jealousy. However, Michal (David's wife and Saul's daughter) helped him escape unharmed. 1 Samuel 19:11-18 "Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster. And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to be willing to sacrifice all things for Christ, because nothing else is of much worth compared to Him. Are we willing to give up things that we think are important for Christ's sake? Are we willing to put Him No. 1? Philippians 3:7-8 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-14T08:01:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that after the Lord blessed the people with riches they began to seek to get gain so that they could be lifted up above other people, and they were willing to resort to robbing and murdering to get what they wanted. Helaman 6:17 "For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain."

In the Old Testament we see how jealousy took hold of the heart of Saul as he heard women singing and dancing with joy saying that David had slain tens of thousands while Saul had only slain thousands. From that day forward, Saul eyed David in an unkind way. When we see others getting recognition, how do we react? Are we happy for them or jealous of them? 1 Samuel 18:6-9 "And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell is that if we abide in the Lord, He will abide in us and has promised us eternal life. When we die, that is not the end! And if we abide in the Lord, we can live eternally with Him. 1 John 2:24-25 "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-13T09:24:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the people who were overshadowed with darkness cried unto the Lord in repentance and the cloud of darkness was dispersed from them and they were encircled with a pillar of fire and were filled with unspeakable joy. Helaman 5:40-45 "And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you. And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words."

In the Old Testament we read the story of David and Goliath. As we read yesterday, all Israel was afraid of the giant Philistine who challenged them to fight him. But David, who was just a youth, was unafraid. He knew that with the Lord's help he had been able to fight off a lion and a bear, and he trusted in the Lord to help him likewise prevail against Goliath. When we're faced with Goliath-sized problems in our lives, do we run away in fear? Or do we trust in the Lord and know that with Him to help us, we can overcome any obstacle? 1 Samuel 17: 32-51 "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the afflictions that we suffer in this life are as a moment when compared to eternal glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-12T08:07:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins, but not save us in our sins. In order to be forgiven, we need to repent. If we build our lives on the foundation of Christ, we will have a firm foundation which will stand against all the storms and mighty whirlwinds that might come against us. The devil will have no power over us to drag us down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, as long as we are built upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. Helaman 5:10-12 "And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

In the Old Testament I read about how the giant Goliath defied Israel, challenging any Israelite to personal combat. Saul and all Israel heard him and were greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:4-11 "And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid."

A verse with a thought booklet talks about a day when we won't need to teach our neighbors about the Lord because everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Him and He will forgive their iniquities and remember their sins no more. Jeremiah 31:34 "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-11T07:35:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that there is no other ways nor means whereby man can be saved excepted through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who came to redeem the world. Helaman 5: 9 "O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience and his failure to keep the commandments. 1 Samuel 15: 10-11 "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we cannot serve two masters. We can't love the world and love the Lord at the same time. We need to choose which we will serve. Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-10T08:06:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when the voice of the people chose evil over good, their laws become corrupted and they are ripening for destruction. Helaman 5:2-3 "For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction."

In the Old Testament we read that Saul ruled over Israel and fought against enemies on every side. 1 Samuel 14:47-48 "So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to stop being selfish and to think about what we can do to help other people, rather than think what they can do for us. We need to be humble and care as much for other people as we do for ourselves. If we're upset with a friend because they haven't been there for us as much as we think they should be, perhaps we need to look inwardly and think what more we could be doing for them. Perhaps they're going through a rough time of their own and need our help. If we can stop thinking of ourselves long enough to try to see things from the other person's perspective, we may see ways we can serve them and show them love. And by so doing, we'll be happier ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-09T07:53:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the church began to dwindle because of iniquity, and people began to disbelieve in prophecy. Because they fell into a state of unbelief they became weak and vulnerable to the Lamanites. The Lord was no longer preserving them with His miraculous power. Helaman 4: 23-26 "And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face. And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples— Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should cleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish. For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years."

In the Old Testament the people were warned that they needed to reverence the Lord and serve Him with all their hearts, remembering all the great things He had done for them. But if they instead chose to do wickedly, they would be consumed, and their king along with them. 1 Samuel 12: 24-25 "Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we should acquaint ourselves with God. If we do this, good will come to us and we'll be at peace. Job 22:21 "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-08T07:32:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when the people became wicked and started boasting of their own strength instead of being humble and relying on the Lord, they did not prosper and were afflicted and smitten by the Lamanites until they lost possession of their lands. Helaman 4:13 "And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands."

In the Old Testament I read about how Samuel called all the people together and reminded them about how the Lord had delivered them out of Egypt and saved them from adversities and tribulations, but they had rejected God by demanding a king to rule over them. 1 Samuel 10: 17-19 "And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that rather than worrying, we need to trust in the Lord who will provide for us if we have faith. We need to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and other things we need will be added unto us. Matthew 6: 25-34 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-07T06:40:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that some people allowed their riches to make them prideful and persecute the humble followers of Christ. However, the people being persecuted fasted and prayed and became even stronger in their humility and firmer in their faith. Their hearts were filled with joy, as their hearts became purified and sanctified. When we are going through trials and tribulations, if we turn toward God instead of away from Him, we can become stronger and closer to Him as a result of going through those difficult times. We just need to yield our hearts to God. Helaman 3: 34-35 "And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

In the Old Testament we read about how the people demanded that they have a king to rule over them. Samuel warned them about the evils that would befall them under the hands of a king but they refused to listen to him and still insisted that they wanted a king. Samuel took the matter to the Lord who told Samuel to give the people what they wanted. Sometimes we are like this. We want something that is not for our best good and will cause us heartache in the end. The Lord wants to spare us and doesn't want to give us what we ask for because He knows it will be bad for us. But we don't want to listen to reason. We want what we want and we want it now! And sometimes the Lord says, "Okay, if you insist" and grants our request, so we need to learn the hard way that we should have listened to begin with. We eventually learn, to our sorrow, that what we demanded was NOT what we needed to make us happy. We need to learn to trust in the Lord and accept His answers when He tries to answer our prayers with, "No, my child, that won't be good for you." 1 Samuel 8:10-22 "And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tells us that a soft answer can turn away anger, but grievous words stir it up. An angry man stirs up strife, but someone who is slow to anger can calm contention. So when we're faced with someone who is angry, do we speak softly, not get angry ourselves, and do what we can to calm them down? Or do we add coals to the fire and just stir things up even worse? Have you ever tried to argue with someone who won't argue back, just walks away, or who turns around and does something kind to you? Gentle answers and well chosen words can bring peace and calm to what otherwise could turn into a contentious argument. Let's be peacemakers to the best of our capacity. We can't control other people or the choices they make, but sometimes we can go a long ways toward bringing peace to a situation instead of adding fuel to the flames of anger. Proverbs 15:1, 18 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-06T07:43:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the gate of heaven is open to all who will have faith and who will lay hold upon the word of God, which leads us to Christ in a strait and narrow course, and helps us avoid the cunning snares and wiles of the devil, which would lead to misery. Helaman 3:28-30 "Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out."

In the Old Testament we read about how Samuel exhorted Israel to forsake the false gods and worship only the Lord. He told them if they would do this, the Lord would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines. They obeyed and put away their idols, serving only the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:3-4 "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we abide in the Lord, we will have confidence, rather than being ashamed, at His coming. How are we living our lives? Are we prepared for the Second Coming of Christ so that we can face that day with confidence? Will we be able to rush joyfully into the Lord's open arms? Or are we guilty of sins that will make us ashamed to face our Savior? 1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

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Daily Thoughts

2012-01-05T07:22:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Nephites kept their records and handed them down from one generation to the next, but even a hundredth part of their proceedings cannot be contained in this work. Helaman 3:14-16 "But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work. But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites. And they have been handed down from one generation to another by the Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression and have been murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Philistines took the ark of God and set it before their false god Dagon. The next morning, their idol Dagon had fallen over. They set him back up and the next morning he had fallen over again and his head and hands were cut off. Not only that, but the people were destroyed and were smitten with emerods. This frightened them so they took the ark of God to Gath to get it out of their hands. This made great destruction and emerods come upon the people of Gath. So the people of Gath sent the ark of God to Ekron where the people there wanted nothing to do with it and decided they'd better send it back where it belonged. 1 Samuel 5:1-12 "And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts. Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven."

A verse with a thought booklet tells about the positive effect we can have on others when we encourage and console them. We can refresh them and give them (and us) great joy. Sometimes it can make all the difference in a person's life if they have someone who sees something in them that can't see in themselves--potential they didn't know they had. Let's try to be sensitive to other people and give them the love and encourage they might need. Philemon 1:7 "For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-04T06:53:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Lord blessed and prospered the people, but they did not allow themselves to be lifted up in the pride of their hearts. Instead, they humbled themselves before God and were grateful to Him for all He'd done for them and in delivering them from their enemies. They prayed unto God continually. Because of this, the Lord continued to bless and prosper them. When things are going well for us, do we become complacent and start taking things for granted? Do we stop praying because we don't feel the constant need for the Lord's help? If so, we need to repent. It's just as important to stay close to the Lord during good times as during bad. We have all the more to thank Him for then. Alma 62: 48-51 "And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich. But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him. Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord called to the boy Samuel, but he thought it was Eli who was calling him so he kept waking up Eli and asking him what he wanted. Finally Eli figured out that it was the Lord who was talking to him and instructed the boy to go back and say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Sometimes the Lord tries to talk to us but we're not familiar enough with His voice to recognize it or we're too distracted to hear and understand what He's trying to say to us. 1 Samuel 3:4-10 "That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that when we wait patiently for the Lord, He will hear our cry. He will lift us out of the pit of despair and out of the mud and the mire, to set our feet upon solid rock. He can lead is where to go. Psalms 40:1-2 "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-03T06:13:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that says many people became hardened because of the great length of the war between the Lamanites and Nephites. However, many others had their hearts softened because of their afflictions which humbled them and turned to to the Lord for help. I've noticed this about people I've seen. Some people become bitter and angry and turn from God when trials come into their lives. Others, turn to the Lord and seek His help in dealing with their tribulations. The choice is ours. Difficult things come into everyone's lives at some point. The question is--when we're faced with trials, are we going to turn toward the Lord or away from Him? Alma 62:41 "But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility."

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how Hannah gave her much longed for son to the Lord for His service, just as she promised that she would do. Eli blessed her and her husband that she would conceive and bare other children. She subsequently had three more sons and two daughters. And her son Samuel grew before the Lord. When we give our all to the Lord, we are richly blessed. 1 Samuel 2:20-21 "And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that we need to be humble and teachable like a little child in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If we think we know all the answers and are strong enough to manage on our own without God's help, we are in for a rude awakening! Matthew 18:3-4 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-02T07:29:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon, Pahoran talks about how he would not shed blood if the Lamanites would stay in their own land and his brethren would not rise up in rebellion and take up their swords against them. He said he would subject himself to bondage if that was the will of the Lord. But the Lord had not commanded him to be in bondage, but rather to resist evil and dissensions, even with the sword if necessary. When engaging in just battles, we need to trust in the Lord and He will deliver us. Alma 61: 10-14 "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."

In the Old Testament we read an example of how the Lord answers sincere prayers. Hannah was very sorrowful because she was childless. She prayed to the Lord in the bitterness of her soul, weeping and promising that if the Lord would give her a child, she would give him to the Lord. The Lord answered her prayer and she bore a son. The Lord doesn't always answer our prayers the way we might want, but He does hear and answer our prayers in the way that is best for us. If we make promises to the Lord, we need to make sure we keep them. Hannah had promised to give her son to the Lord if He would allow her to have a child. He answered her request and when her child was weaned, she took him to Eli and said she was lending him to the Lord for as long as he lived. 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 20, 24-28 "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us we can cast all our cares upon the Lord, for He cares for us. What a comfort this is. We don't have to face our problems alone--the Lord loves us and will help us get through whatever trials we may face. 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Daily Thoughts

2012-01-01T07:34:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read the reaction of Pahoran to being unjustly censured by Moroni and accused of doing things he was not guilty of. He was not angry, but still found the good in Moroni. When we're unjustly accused, can we look past it and still see the good in the person who misjudged us? Can we freely forgive them? Pahoran is a great example of this. Alma 61:9 "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."

In the Old Testament I read about how Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, having heard about how she left her home and family to follow her mother in law. He told Ruth that the Lord was recompensing her work and giving her a reward. We can safely trust in the Lord. Ruth 2:10-12 "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read about how Naaman needed to learn humility on his quest to be healed of his leprosy. He went to the prophet to be healed and expected to be treated like royalty. Instead, the prophet didn't even come out personally to greet him but instead sent a servant out to talk to him. And then the servant asked him to go dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Weren't there greater rivers than that back home? His initial reaction was to go off in a huff. But then his own servants talked sense into him, and he was able to humble himself enough to do what he'd been told to do--and the result was that he was healed! Sometimes we're not asked to do some great and important thing, but rather something simple and mundane. Will we be humble enough to do whatever it is that's been asked of us or will we go off in a huff, thinking we're too good for something like that? 2 Kings 5:9-14 "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-31T07:15:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we've been reading Moroni's epistle to Pahoran and how he chastised him for his great neglect and wickedness. Today we read Pahoran's reply back to Moroni in which he explains that he takes no joy in their sufferings but has not been able to help because wicked men have taken over the government and caused a great rebellion. Alma 61:1-7 "Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he received: I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous. And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you. And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get. And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle."

In the Old Testament we read the touching words of Ruth to her mother in law Naomi, which show such devotion and loyalty. She is willing to follow Naomi back to her homeland and says that Naomi's people will become her people and Naomi's God, her God. She says nothing but death will separate them. Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of how a servant girl was able to be a missionary to her master, by suggesting to his wife that he go to the prophet to be healed of his leprosy. If anyone had an excuse not to be used by God, it was this girl. She had been captured by the enemy, taken from her home and family and was a stranger in the land in which she was a slave. Going through all that, she could have excused herself from being compassionate as to her master's disease and problems. But she cared. She wanted to help. And she testified about a prophet of the living God who could help him. Can we follow her example to be instruments of God's compassion, healing, and hope to bring light into the lives of others? Even people who have hurt us? 2 Kings 5:1-6 "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon, continuing on with Moroni's epistle to Pahoran, Moroni continues to chasten him for neglecting to send food and supplies, thus resulting in much suffering and loss. Moroni threatens Pahoran with destruction if he doesn't repent of his iniquities and start helping and giving support. Alma 60:20-31 "Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies? Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us? Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government. And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them— And this because of their exceeding faith, and their patience in their tribulations— And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct. Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss. Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction. Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom. For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people."

In the Old Testament we read about how a man was traveling and did not want to spend the night in a city of the Jebusites, who were strangers, but rather chose to continue on so he could spend the night in Gibeah, with the children of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin. What he found there were wicked men who abused a concubine all night long until she died. How very sad that people who have the gospel and would be expected to be righteous are more wicked than those without the gospel would have been. Judges 19:11-12, 25-28 "And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or in fire, but rather spoke in a still, small voice. Often this is the way the Lord speaks to us--not in some loud, dramatic way that shouts at us, but in a still, small voice that we have to carefully listen for and be quiet so we can hear. 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-29T07:32:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read an epistle that Moroni wrote to Pahoran recounting the great suffering of the people and accusing Pahoran of great neglect in withholding needed help and supplies. Alma 60:3-10 "And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind. But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain. But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state. Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren— Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword. But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them. And now, my beloved brethren—for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings—"

In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Dan took Micah's priest and graven images and set up idolatry. Judges 18:18-20, 30-31 "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."

A verse from a thought booklet relates how Jesus healed a woman, telling her to go in peace because her faith had made her well. Likewise, the Lord can heal us if we have faith--not just of physical ills but of spiritual ones as well. Mark 5:34 "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-28T07:53:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people poured out their souls in prayer to God, that He would give them strength and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. He visited them with assurances that He would deliver them and spoke peace to their souls. What a great blessing it is to us when we can turn to the Lord in prayer and He speaks peace to our souls, reassuring us that everything will be all right. Alma 58:10-11 "Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."

In the Old Testament we see an example of the folly of trusting the wrong people, as Sampson trusted Delilah with the secret of his strength and she betrayed him, resulting in him being taken prisoner by the Philistines and having his eyes put out. Judges 16:15-21 "And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet I read the story about how the prophet Elijah called forth rain to end the drought. However, it didn't come immediately. He kept sending his servant to check for any signs of clouds. Six times the servant checked and there was nothing. But the seventh time he reported that he saw a little cloud the size of a man's hand. Soon the heavens were black with clouds and the wind and great rain came! Sometimes this is the way our prayers are answered. Not immediately. Not as soon as we might like. But if we continue to have faith, first there's a small sign that things are beginning to happen, and then we receive all the abundant blessings we ever hoped for. 1 Kings 18:41-45 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-27T08:19:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the great faith of the stripling warriors and how none of them was killed because of their great trust in the Lord, which had been taught them by their mothers. They were a great help in battling the Lamanites and were miraculously spared. Alma 57:20-27 "And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted. Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti. And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss. And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed. And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."

In the Old Testament we read about how the strength of the Lord was with Sampson so that cords could not bind him and he was able to slay 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Judges 15:14-15 "And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us not to be unduly concerned about anything, but turn our problems over to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving. If we're truly grateful for all the blessings the Lord has given us, and thank Him for them, we can also come to Him with our problems and concerns and He will help us get through them. The Lord wants us to come to Him with thankful hearts but He also wants us to make our requests known to Him.
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-26T08:54:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how valiant the 2,000 stripling warriors were, and how they had fought with the strength and power of God. Miraculously, none of them had been killed in battle, and they had frightened the Lamanites into delivering themselves up as prisoners of war. Alma 56:55-56 "And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain. But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war."

In the Old Testament we read because Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. However, He then sent an angel to Monoah's wife, promising her a son even though she was barren, and saying that her son was sent to deliver Israel. Judges 13:1-5 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to use whatever gift the Lord has given us to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its many forms. The Lord has given us gifts and talents and we need to use these to bless the lives of others. Sometimes we may think that our contributions are small and of no lasting value--like visiting the home bound or serving at a soup kitchen or helping an elderly neighbor rake her yard. But a lifetime of such "small" acts of kindness and love add up to making a big difference in the lives of many. We need to look for opportunities to serve wherever we can and use the abilities the Lord has given us to help others in any way we can. 1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-25T07:28:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the people had made a covenant not to take up weapons of war or shed blood, but they were about to break their oath when that saw the afflictions of the Nephites and had a great desire to help defend them. However, 2,000 of their sons who were to young to have taken the oath were willing to assist in defending the Nephites, and they marched forth to battle with Helaman as their leader. Alma 56:5-9 "Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country. And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood. But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defense. But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken. But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land."

In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord rebuked the children of Israel, reminding them of how He had delivered them from their enemies many times but they had forsaken Him and turned to other gods and served them. He told them to go cry unto the other gods to deliver them in their time of tribulation. This caused the children of Israel to admit they had sinned, put away their strange gods, and serve the Lord. Judges 10:11-16 "And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."

A verse with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus rose up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went off to a solitary place where He could pray. Do we take time to commune with God? Do we get away from the noise and confusion of the world so we can have sacred time alone with the Lord? If it was important enough for Jesus to rise up very early to find solitude in which to pray, how much more important is it for us? Mark 1: 35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-24T08:17:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the stripling warriors who were valiant young men, willing to fight for the liberty of the Nephites and covenanting to protect the liberty of the people. They were not only valiant and courageous, but they were true in whatsoever thing had been entrusted unto them. Alma 53:17-20 "And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage. Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader. And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."

In the Old Testament we read that the children of Israel did evil and worshiped other gods, so the Lord's anger was hot against them and He delivered them into the hands of their enemies. Judges 10:6-7 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet warn us not to judge others or speak evil of them. There is only one Lawgiver who is able to save or to destroy, so who are we to judge another? If we think we're better than others and are in a position to judge them, we are in need of repentance. James 4:11-12 "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-23T08:00:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that the people put themselves into dangerous circumstances by their own iniquity. When we don't keep the commandments, it puts us in peril. Alma 53:9 "And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances."

In the Old Testament I read about how after Gideon had conquered the Midianites, the children of Israel asked him to rule over them. But he refused, saying the Lord should rule over them. Judges 8:22-23 "Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that gives us eternal life, that we shall never perish. And no one will be able to pluck us out of the Father's hands. We have a safe haven in Him! John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-22T07:39:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when the people were righteous they were blessed and were prosperous and happy. But when they were guilty of contention, murder, idolatry, and other wickedness, they became plagued by war and destruction. We reap what we sow. Alma 50:17-21 "And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land. And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying: Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions."

In the Old Testament we read how the Lord didn't want to leave any doubt in the people's mind that He was the one who delivered them from the Midianites, it was not by their own power and might. So He had them reduce their armies from 20,000 to 300 men. Judges 7:2-7 "And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place."

Some scriptures witih a thought booklet tell the story of how the prophet Elijah came to a young widow asking for food. She had very little and had actually been preparing to make a last meal for her and her son to eat before they starved to death with no more food available. Elijah promised her that if he would first make some food for him, her barrel of meal and her cruse of oil would not become empty until the Lord again sent rain upon the land the the famine was over. The widow had a choice to make. Should she have faith that what the prophet said was true and give her last food to him, trusting that the Lord would provide for her son? Yes, that is exactly what she did, and the promises were fulfilled. It takes faith to be willing to give, especially when we don't see clearly how we'll have sufficient to survive ourselves. Sometimes we're called upon to do something similar to this when we don't see how we can pay our tithing and pay our bills too. But I've seen many miracles happen in many lives when people have acted on their faith and paid tithing anyway--and the Lord has provided for them. 1 Kings 17:7-16 "And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read the contrast between the wicked king Amalickiah and Moroni. Amalickiah was very angry that he had not succeeded in his desires to overpower the Nephites and bring them into bondage. He swore in his wrath that he would drink the blood of Moroni. Moroni, on the other hand, had kept the commandments of God and had prepared for the safety of his people. When they were delivered from the hands of their enemies, they thanked God for His blessings upon them. Alma 49:25-28 "And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephi, to inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by birth, concerning their great loss. And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry with his people, because he had not obtained his desire over the Nephites; he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage. Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people. And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies."

In the Old Testament I read about how Gideon doubted, even after the Lord told Him He would be with him and help him save Israel by his hand. He wanted a sign. He asked the Lord to make dew fall upon a fleece of wool on the floor but the earth beside it to stay dry. So the Lord did that. But was that convincing enough for Gideon? No! Then he asked the Lord to make dew come upon the ground but for the fleece to stay dry. The Lord did that too. How often are we like this? The Lord tells us something but we doubt. And even if we're given a sign that it really was the Lord telling us, we want another sign. Judges 6:36-40 "And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can rejoice and be glad all our days because we are satisfied with the mercy of the Lord. The Lord has richly blessed all of us. We all have much to be grateful for. If we can be satisfied with what we have, we will indeed find joy all the days of our lives. Psalms 90:14 "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-20T06:15:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the great reluctance the Nephites had in going to war with the Lamanites. They took no pleasure in sending so many of them into the eternal world, unprepared to meet their God. But they likewise could not sit idly by and allow their wives and children to be massacred in a barbarous and cruel manner. Alma 48:23-25 "Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all—they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their God. Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites. Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land."

In the Old Testament we read tht the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, so He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites, who greatly impoverished them. Because of this, the children is Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord sent a prophet unto them who reminded them of how the Lord had delivered them from bondage in Egypt and had delivered them out of the hands of those that oppressed them, but they had refused to obey the Lord. When we willfully disobey the commandments of the Lord, we can't expect Him to bless us. Judges 6:1, 6-10 "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice."

Some verses with a thought booklet describe how Paul was called to the ministry and able to serve the Lord, in spite of the fact that he had been a sinner and had persecuted the believers previously. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ and His mercy and grace, Paul was able to repent and turn his life around. Jesus Christ came into the worldto save sinners. The Lord wants to change us no matter who we are or what we have done. No matter how bad we've been in the past, we can be forgiven and still have great work to do in the service of God. What an encouraging message! 1 Timothy 1:12-17 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-19T08:21:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we read about the evil intentions of Amalickiah and how he was determined to stir up anger and hatred and lead people to war so he could gain power and control over the Nephites. Today we read the contrast of Moroni and how he did not seek war nor bloodshed, but only sought to keep the commandments of the Lord and defend his people when necessary. He prepared for war by building walls of defense and strengthening the armies. He did this to protect the lives and liberties of his people. He stood firm in his faith in Christ. Alma 48: 7-17 "Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land. And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites. And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians. And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives. And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger; And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity. Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Israel intermarried with the Canaanites and worshiped false gods. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and caused the Lord's anger to come up hot against them. Judges 3:5-8 "And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 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."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to feed our enemy if he is hungry and give him water to drink if he is thirsty. This goes along with what Jesus would later teach in New Testament times--to love our enemies and do good for them who hate us. We need to show love and kindness to everyone, even those who don't show love and kindness to us. Proverbs 25:21 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:"

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-18T07:51:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about how after Amalickiah obtained the kingdom, he began to incite the Lamanites against the Nephites, blinding their minds and stirring them up in anger to do battle. He was intent on overpowering the Nephites and bringing them to bondage. Alma 48:1-4 "And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites. And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites. Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites. For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage."

In the Old Testament I read that an angel rebuked Israel for not serving the Lord. They had been commanded to make no league with the inhabitants of the land and to throw down their altars, but they disobeyed the voice of the Lord. Since they would not drive out the people as the Lord commanded, they would become like thorns in their sides and their gods would become a snare to them. Judges 1:1-3 "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. If we are fearful, trembling, and weak, and we struggle to find persuasive words to spread the gospel, the Lord can still use us, with a demonstration of His Spirit and power. Our faith should not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. And it is through the Spirit that men are converted, not through the persuasive arguments of men. The Lord can even use shy, fearful people who struggle for the right words to preach His gospel, if they will rely on His Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-17T09:26:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that those who die with a firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ go out of the world rejoicing and happy. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, there is nothing to fear in death. Alma 46:39, 41 "And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing. But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs suppose."

In the Old Testament we read how Joshua exhorted the people to reverence the Lord and serve only Him, putting away all other gods. He told them that they must make a choice to serve the true God or the false gods of other nations--but as for Joshua and his house, he would serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15 "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

In some verses with a thought booklet, the Lord called upon the people to show compassion and mercy and to treat others with kindness. However, they refused to listen. They stopped up their ears and hardened their hearts aainst the word of God. This brought forth the wrath of God and when they cried unto Him, He refused to listen to them. It sounds ridiculous to think of people plugging up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen to what the Lord had to say. But do we do something similar when we don't diligently study the scriptures or listen with intent to general conference, and when we don't try our best to obey the commandments we've been given? We need to be willing to come when God calls, listen when God speaks, and obey when God commands. Zechariah 7:9-13 "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:"

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-16T08:23:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about how Amalickiah, a very wicked man was able to cause dissensions among the people by his cunning and flattering words. Men are quick to forget the Lord and be led away by the evil one. Indeed, we see how much wickedness can be caused by one evil man. Alma 46:6-10 "Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church. And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord. Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one. Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men. Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake."

In the Old Testament I read the exhortations of Joshua to the people that they must keep the commandments of the Lord, love Him, and not cleave unto the nations among them, marrying them or worshiping their false gods. The Lord had never failed to bring good things upon them and keep His promises to them, but if they transgressed their covenant and served other gods, the Lord's anger would be kindled against them and they would perish quickly off the good land which the Lord had given to them. Joshua 23:6-16 "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you."

A scripture with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus would be rejected, suffer, and be killed. However, after three days He would rise again. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ were all foretold. Mark 8: 31 "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-15T07:48:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people became proud and lifted up in their hearts because of their riches, and they refused to walk uprightly before God or listen to His servants. Riches can be more of a curse than a blessing if they cause a person to become prideful. Alma 45: 24 "But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God."

In the Old Testament we read how Joshua blessed the people and told them to take diligent heed to do the commandments which Moses had given them, and to love and serve the Lord with all their hearts and souls. Joshua 22:5-6 "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to trust in the Lord, delight in Him, and commit ourselves to Him, and He will make sure we have what we need, as well as the desires of our hearts. Psalms 37:3-5 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-14T07:33:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read a prophecy that 400 years after Christ would manifest Himself to the Nephites, they would dwindle in unbelief, and because of their iniquity they would suffer wars, famines, and pestilences, until they would become extinct. They would sin against great light and knowledge. Alma 45: 9-12 "But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct— Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord fulfilled all His promises to the children of Israel. He gave them all the land that he swore to their fathers He would give them. He gave them peace and rest from their enemies, having delivered them unto their hands. The Lord did not fail in any good thing He had promised to give them. Indeed, the Lord always keeps His word and fulfills his promises in every detail. We can count on that! Joshua 21:43-45 "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us of how fleeting this earth life really is--it's like a wind that passes through and is gone. Do we take opportunities to show love and spend time with those who are important to us, while they're still with us? My parents are now gone, and I often think of things I wish I could do with them. Even though I did spend a lot of time with them during their final years, I know I could have done more. I mourn for missed opportunities that are now lost. We need to take time with our loved ones while that time is still available. Psalms 78:39 "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-13T07:46:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when the people were delivered out of the hands of their enemies, they were so grateful to the Lord that they fasted and prayed, and worshiped the Lord with great joy. Sometimes we'll fast when we have a problem or something we seek help from the Lord with. But how many times have we fasted to thank Him for something, out of pure joy and gratitude? Alma 45:1 "Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy."

In the Old Testament we read that the congregation of the children of Israel assembled together and set up the tabernacle at Shiloh. Joshua 18: 1 "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them."

In a verse from a thought booklet we read about the devotion that Ruth showed to her mother in law, as she refused to leave her but insisted on going with her. Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons and was sending her daughters in law back to their parents. But in the midst of all her loss, God provided her with a family in Ruth who refused to leave her. We need to be sensitive to those who are alone and be willing to comfort those who need comforting. We need each other. Even Jesus, in the gloomy darkness of Gethsemane, reached out to His disciples. Ruth 1:16 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:"

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that that God would preserve and keep the people as long as they were faithful to Him. But if they should deny the faith and fall into transgression, they would be destroyed. Alma 44:4 "Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."

In the Old Testament we read about the faithfulness of Caleb. At the age of 40 he was sent to spy out the land and came back with a report that they could conquer wit the Lord's help. However, the other spies had reports that made the people's hearts melt and they were afraid to try to go forth against the inhabitants of the land. So they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. But the Lord blessed Caleb for his faithfulness and even at the age of 85 he was strong. Joshua blessed him and gave him a land for his inheritance. Joshua 14:7-14 " Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel."

In a verse with a thought booklet I read that when we wait upon the Lord, He will strengthen us so we can run and not be weary and walk and not faint--we'll feel like we've been mounted with the wings of eagles. The Lord can give us the strength to do whatever it is we need to do. Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-11T07:03:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lamanites were intent on destroying the Nephites or subjecting them to bondage. However, the Nephites only wanted to preserve their lands and their liberty and their church. So Moroni felt that it was not a sin to defend themselves with stratagem and sent spies into the land of the Lamanites. When the Lamanites fought them, they found like dragons with their fierce anger. However, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, fighting for their homes, families, liberty and church, rather than trying to get power over other people. They were doing what they felt was their duty toward God. They were not guilty of the first or second offense, but were merely trying to defends themselves and their families. Alma 43:29-30, 44-47 "And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land; And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the Lamanites were to take. And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger. Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies. And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion."

In the Old Testament we read that when Joshua was old and well stricken in years, there were still some lands that needed to be possessed. Joshua 13: 1 "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation so we have nothing and no one to fear. He will be the strength in our lives. If we truly believe this, we have no reason to worry. So why do we sometimes worry and fear and fret? We worry that we'll be late for work. We worry that we won't have money to pay our bills. We worry that our hair is thinning. We worry that our family members aren't making good choices. We worry over health issues. We worry gas prices will prevent us going on vacation. We worry about the weather. We worry over our relationships. We worry and stew and lose sleep over every issue imaginable. Is this showing faith? Worrying is a sign that we need to turn our lives over to the Lord and trust in Him to take care of us. He is the only One who can give us inner peace. Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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Daily Thoughts

2011-12-10T09:39:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that the sons of Alma went forth among the people declaring the word to them, and even Alma himself also went forth. They taught according to the spirit of revelation. Indeed, that is the only way to teach things spiritual things, with the Spirit. Alma 43:1-2 "And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth. Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called."

In the Old Testament we read the fulfillment of the promises of the Lord. He helped Joshua conquer all his enemies and take the whole land for an inheritance for Israel. And finally the land was able to rest from ward. The Lord does fulfill his promises. Joshua 11:23 "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can stay calm and feel peace, knowing that the Lord will fight for us. If we're feeling troubled and overwhelmed by the circumstances in our lives, let's remember that we have the Lord fighting for us! This thought should give us comfort and peace. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-12-09T08:37:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how redemption comes through repentance and is made possible because Jesus atoned for the sins of the world. The Atonement meets the demands of justice and is given because of the mercy of God. God is both just and merciful. Alma 42:10-16, 24-26 "Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord. And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience; Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery."

In the Old Testament I read about how the sun and moon stood still while the Lord fought for Israel. There was never a day like that before or after. Joshua 10:13-14 "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recall how Gideon spoke with an angel of the Lord, who told Gideon that the Lord was with him and called him a mighty man of valour. Gideon asked how that could be and complained about how the Lord seemed to have forsaken Israel instead of providing the mighty miracles that had been spoken of by his fathers. The Lord told Gideon to go forth with his might and He would be with him and help him defeat the Midianites. This should have been enough, but Gideon still doubted. He complained that his family was poor and he was least in his father's house. But the Lord again told Gideon that he had been called and needed to go forth. How often are we like Gideon? The Lord calls us to do a work but all we do is doubt our own abilities instead of relying on the Lord and trusting that He will provide the way for us to accomplish anything He asks us to do? Judges 6:12-16 "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-12-08T07:15:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that wickedness never was happiness. Alma 41 10 "Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

In the Old Testament I read about how the Gibeonites were able to fool the people by having old bread and old clothing and claiming they'd travelled a long distance to convince them that they were from far away instead of their neighbors. The people used this evidence to convince them, but they did not inquire of the Lord. When we're confused and don't know who or what to believe, we need to turn to the Lord. If we just use reason and logic, people can fool us! Joshua 9:3-16 "And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that in repentance and rest we'll find salvation and in quietness and trust we'll find strength. We need to repent and return to the Lord and we need to have confidence and trust in Him. But we also need quietness and taking time to ponder and pray. Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-07T06:09:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that men are judged for their works. If they are righteous, they'll receive a wonderful reward and be raised to happiness in the Kingdom of God. But if they rebelled and chose wickedness, they will receive an evil reward. Whoever walks in the way of the Lord will be saved. Alma 41:3-7 "And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other— The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil."

In the Old Testament we read that those who refused to obey the voice of the Lord by entering into the promised land were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until they all had died. The Lord often promises us blessings contingent upon our obedience. If we refuse to obey, we forfeit those blessings. Joshua 5:6 "For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that we don't need to let our hearts be troubled because the Lord will leave us with peace--not the kind of peace that the world gives, but peace that surpasses all understanding. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-12-06T07:30:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the resurrection of the body and how we will be restored to a proper and perfect frame, with every limb and joint restored and not even a hair of the head being lost. The righteous will be received into the Kingdom of God and the wicked will drink the dregs of the bitter cup that then earned with their evil works. Alma 40: 23-26 "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets— And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God. But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord showed a miracle to the people to demonstrate to them that He was with them and would give them the promised land, driving out all the inhabitants of the land before them. The Lord cuts off the water of the Jordan River and it stands up as a heap, allowing the children of Israel to pass through on dry ground. Joshua 3:10-17 "And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

A verse with a thought booklet asks a thought provoking question--if God is on our side, who can be against us? Indeed, as long as we have the Lord, what else really matters? Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-05T07:51:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the state of people between the time of their death and the times of their resurrection. For the righteous, it will be a time of peace and rest from all their troubles and sorrows. But for the wicked it will be an awful, fearful time of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. What a contrast! And how very important that we choose righteously while we are here on the earth. Alma 40:11-14 "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection."

In the Old Testament we read about the death of Moses at the age of 120 year. He was a great prophet who performed mighty miracles and spoke with the Lord face to face. He had laid his hands on Joshua who was full of the spirit of wisdom and who was now called to be the prophet and to lead the people. Deuteronomy 34:7-12 "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can know that all things will work together for our good if we love God. We can trust in Him, knowing that even when we face trials and tribulations, it will all be for our good in the end. Unexpected things are bound to crop up in our lives--illness, job loss, a conflict with a friend. We have the assurance that God will get us through and all these things will work together for our good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-04T09:31:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the vanity of seeking after the riches of the world, which cannot be carried with us and are of no eternal value. Alma 39:14 "Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you."

In the Old Testament I read that because Moses had trespassed against the Lord, he would be able to see the promised land before him, but would not be allowed to enter into it. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 "Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel."

A verse with a thought booklet warns us that above all else we need to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it. One of the best ways to protect our hearts is to make sure that they are filled with love--love for God and love for others. If we truly have love in our hearts, our actions will follow. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-03T06:54:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that there is no other way we can be saved except through Christ who is the life and light of the world. Alma 38: 9 "And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness."

In the Old Testament we read about how the people provoked the Lord by worshiping strange gods instead of the God who created them. When the Lord saw this, He called them a froward generation with no faith and he was angry with the foolish nation, saying He would heap mischiefs upon them and devour them with fire. Deuteronomy 32:16-24 "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who are truly great among us are willing to serve and minister to others, following the example of Jesus who gave His life for us. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:25-28 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Daily Thoughts

2011-12-02T07:46:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when we put our trust in God we will be delivered out of our trials and troubles and afflictions and be lifted up at the last day. Alma 38:5 "And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

In the Old Testament we read about how Moses was getting ready to die and the Lord spoke to him about how after he was gone the people would be even more rebellious and break their covenants even more than they had while he was alive. Moses spoke to the people, admonishing them with the song the Lord gave him. Deuteronomy 31:14-30 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we have the right spirit within us, it will sustain us in our infirmities. But who can bear a wounded spirit? When our spirit is strong, we can handle a lot of adversity, but when our spirit is crushed, life can become almost unbearable. We live from the inside out. When we have the right attitude, we can be happy regardless of our circumstances. Sometimes we think that if our circumstances (money, job, etc.) were better, we'd be happier. But the truth is that these outward things aren't really what bring lasting happiness. Some of the most unhappy people in the world are those who have plenty of money, fame, etc. Change your attitude and you'll change your life! Proverbs 18:14 "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"
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Daily Thoughts

2011-12-01T05:48:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that it's just as easy for us to follow the word of Christ which leads us to eternal life as it was for the Nephites to follow the compass which lead them on a straight course to the promised land. Alma 37:44-47 "For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell."

In the Old Testament I read about how Moses places life or death, blessing or cursing, before the people and shows them how the choice is theirs. If they keep the commandments of the Lord they will receive great blessings and rich rewards. However, if they choose to disobey and turn their hearts away to worship other gods, He will denounce them and bring cursing upon them. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us the importance of governing the tongue. Even though it's a small thing, if it is unruly, it can be full of deadly poison and cause much offense and hurt. If we can govern it, we can gain perfection. James 3:1-10 "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-30T07:41:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read the things that Alma taught his son Helaman. He told him to preach faith and repentance to the people, and to be humble and meek. He told him not to be weary of good works, but to keep the commandments and pray always and under all circumstances. We need to counsel with the Lord in all our doings and He will direct us for good. If we do all these things, we'll be lifted up at the last day. Alma 37:33-37 "Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

In the Old Testament we read of the great cursings that would come upon the children of Israel if they chose to disobey the commandments of the Lord and to serve other gods. Indeed, they would become as fire and brimstone just like Sodom and Gomorrah. Deuteronomy 29:17-28 "And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven. And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law: So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the Lord hath laid upon it; And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book: And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the dangers of being prideful. A haughty spirit will cause us to fall and lead to our destruction. Much better to be humble! Proverbs 16:18-19 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-29T06:30:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the importance of scriptures. The plates of brass and other scriptures were preserved to bring souls to salvation. They convinced many people of the error of their ways and brought them to a knowledge of God. Just as scriptures were important back then, so are they important for us today. Alma 37:3-10 "And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning— Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon. And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?"

In the Old Testament we read yesterday about the great blessings that would come to those who obey the commandments of the Lord. Today we read about the terrible curses that will befall those who refuse to hearken to the voice of the Lord and who break His commandments. Deuteronomy 28:15-46 "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. The Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. The Lord shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that those who are kind to the poor are giving to the Lord and He will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17 "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-28T07:33:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I continued reading about Alma who had been in great anguish over all his sins. However, he then remembered his father teaching Him about Jesus Christ and how He would atone for the sins of the world. He then prayed for mercy and a great change took place in him. Suddenly, his joy became as exceeding as his pains had been and he saw God sitting upon His throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels singing and praising God. He was able to taste the sweetness that repentance brings and turned his life around to one in which he did good, and received great joy in the fruit of his labors. Alma 36: 17-25 "And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy. Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there. But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God. Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;"

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord would bless the people in every way if they would but hearken to His word and keep His commandments which He had given them. Keeping the commandments brings great blessings and rewards. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we should freely give to others when it's without our power to do so, and we should not delay when we're able to help them right now. The Lord has blessed us with everything we have and we should be generous in sharing it with those who lack. Proverbs 3:27-28 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-27T09:07:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read the recounting of Alma's experience of an angel appearing to him and telling him to stop trying to destroy the church of God. Alma then became racked with torment over the knowledge of all the sins he had committed. Alma 36: 6-16 "For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way. And behold, he spake unto us, as it were the voice of thunder, and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we all fell to the earth, for the fear of the Lord came upon us. But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I arose and stood up, and beheld the angel. And he said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God. And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs. And the angel spake more things unto me, which were heard by my brethren, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the words—If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to destroy the church of God—I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the earth and I did hear no more. But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds. And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul."

In the Old Testament we read how the Lord instructed the people to leave some of the gleanings of their crops for the poor, rather than harvesting everything available. Likewise we need to remember the poor and needy and not greedily try to keep everything for ourselves. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 "When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that the wicked and the righteous will be separated as the sheep from the goats, and the determining factor will be how we treated other people during our lifetimes. Did we feed the hungry and clothe the naked? If so, it was as if we were doing these things to the Lord. If we neglected the stranger among us and didn't visit the sick and afflicted, it was as if we did these things to the Lord as well. We'll be rewarded or punished according to how well we ministered to those in need. Matthew 25:31-46 "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-26T07:53:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that if we trust in the Lord, He will support us in our trials and troubles and afflictions, and we'll be lifted up at the last day. Indeed, we can turn to the Lord for help with whatever troubles us. Alma 36:3 "And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

In the Old Testament we read that if we find a lost animal that has gone astray, we need to return it to its rightful owner. If we see an animal that has fallen down, we need to help lift it up. We need to be kind to others and help them the way we'd want them to help us. Deuteronomy 22:1-4 "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that sometimes harsh words can pierce like a sword, but words from the wise can bring healing. We need to watch the words we say because they can have a huge impact on others. They can hurt them like they're being stabbed with a knife or they can bring encouragement that can make a huge difference in a person, right at the time they need it. We've all probably experienced damage from an uncontrolled tongue. We need to use our speech wisely, as a tool not a weapon. Instead of tearing others down, let's build them. Words are powerful. Let's think before we speak and make sure that what we are saying will benefit, not hurt, other people. Proverbs 12:18 "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-25T08:25:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that this life is a day of probation when we need to prepare ourselves to meet God. We cannot procrastinate the day of our repentance, or it may be everlastingly too late for us. Alma 34: 31-36 "Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb."

In the Old Testament we're told to give to the poor and needy and open our hands wide to help them so they'll have sufficient for their needs. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth."

A verse with a thought booklet goes right along with this, telling us that the generous soul who is willing to give liberally will be made prosperous and those who refresh others will be refreshed. We reap what we sow. Proverbs 11:25 "The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-24T08:09:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that we need to be charitable and impart of our substance to those in need. If we don't do this, we are hypocrites who deny our faith. Alma 34: 28-29 "And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men."

In the Old Testament it is once again emphasized that we need to pay tithes. Deuteronomy 14:22 "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year."

Some verses from a thought booklet are very appropriate for today. They remind us to give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His love and mercy endure forever. We all have much to be grateful for. Psalms 100:4-5; 118: 1 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-23T07:43:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the importance of constant prayer. We need to humble ourselves and cry unto the Lord at all times and under every situation we have in life. And when we do not cry unto the Lord in prayer, we still need to have our hearts drawn out unto Him continually for our welfare and the welfare of those around us. Alma 34: 17-27 "Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save. Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."

In the Old Testament we're again reminded to keep the commandments, obey the voice of the Lord, serve Him, and clean unto Him, walking after His ways and reverencing Him. Deuteronomy 13:4 "Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet teach the difference between the philosophies of men and the Word of God. The philosophies of men are as grass that withers and flowers that fall away, whereas the Word of the Lord endures forever. It will stand the test of time! 1 Peter 1:24-25 "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-22T07:52:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that a great and last sacrifice would need to be made by the Son of God to meet the demands of justice. Only those who have faith unto repentance will be redeemed. Alma 34:14-16 "And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord gave Israel both a blessing and a curse--great blessings if they would keep the commandments that He had given them, but a curse if they chose to disobey and commandments and serve other gods. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet compare the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. As you read both lists, think which words in each list could describe you. Maybe you're not guilty of murder or drunkenness or adultery, but what about wrath (do you sometimes get angry?), envy (are you sometimes jealous of what other people have?), strife (so you sometimes have trouble getting along with other people?) or hatred (do you have trouble loving everyone?). And as you read the list of positive attributes that are fruits of the Spirit, how many of them do you actually practice in your day to day life? Examine your life and your heart as you read these two lists and see if there are areas you can improve in. I certainly found things I need to do better at. Galatians 5:19-23 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-21T06:54:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read the powerful testimony of Amulek. He recounts the words of past prophets who testified of Christ and then adds his own testimony that he knows of himself that Christ would come and atone for the sins of the world. If not for this atonement, mankind would perish. Alma 34:7-9 "My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true. And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made."

In the Old Testament we read that what God requires of us is to love and serve Him, and keep His commandments, which are given to us for our own good. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us of how fleeting life can be. We might makes plans to do such and such at a future date, but we don't know for sure that we'll even still be around then. My life could be over tomorrow, or even today--so could yours. Life is like a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes. We need to take advantage of the time we have and make the most of it because we don't know when our life on this earth will end. James 4:13-15 "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that just as the people in Moses' day were saved from death if they would but look at the brass serpent, we can be saved by looking unto Christ. The reason the Israelites would not glance at the brass serpent was because they did not believe it would save them and they had hardened their hearts. But if we will have faith in the atonement of Christ, our burdens will be made light, we'll find joy, and we'll obtain everlasting life. Alma 33: 19-23 "Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."

In the Old Testament I read the Lord admonishing the children of Israel to remember Him and keep His commandments. He reminded them that He had lead them out of Egypt, lead them safely through the terrible wilderness full of scorpions, fiery serpents and drought. When they had no water, He had brought it forth out of rock. He had fed them manna when they had nothing to eat. We might read this and think it only applies to the Israelites who lived thousands of years ago. But each of us could look in our own lives and remember similar stories of when the Lord helped us through difficult times, big and small. Maybe He lead us by the hand after we lost a loved one, giving us comfort. Perhaps He answered our prayer and healed us or a loved one who was ill. Maybe He helped us survive, somehow, during a job loss. Maybe He sent a special person into our lives right when we needed them. Or just helped us find our car keys when we misplaced them or helped us remember what we'd studied when we took a test. In all kinds of ways, the Lord has been there for us and helped us and answered our prayers in the way that was best, although not always in the way we wanted. We all are indebted to the Lord. We all have much to thank Him for. We all need to remember Him and all He's done for us. Deuteronomy 8:11-16 "Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;"

A verse with a thought booklet is another constant reminder of the importance of love. Love is what the gospel is all about. Just as God loved each of us, we likewise need to love one another. 1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-19T08:28:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that if we believe in the scriptures, we will believe in Jesus Christ. They testify of Him! Alma 33:14 "Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?"

In the Old Testament we're told that if we keep the commandments of the Lord and listen to His judgments and do them, He will be merciful to us and keep His covenants with us. He'll love us and bless us. Deuteronomy 7:11-13 "Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we should be very careful about what we say. The wrong words coming out of our mouths can cause much hurt and harm. But good, edifying words, can encourage and lift others and do much good. For good or ill, our words have an important impact on those who hear us--let's choose our words with the utmost care. Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-18T06:05:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that we can turn to the Lord in all our afflictions and He will be merciful to us. He will hear and answer our prayers and turn away His judgments because of the atonement of Christ. Alma 33:11 "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."

In the Old Testament we read about the Ten Commandments that the Lord gave to the children of Israel. Deuteronomy 5:6-21. "I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord knows and understands us completely--He knows all our thoughts and everything we do. He knows us better than we know ourselves. No matter what we do or where we go, we cannot hide from the Lord, Psalms 139:1-10 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-17T07:50:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read a great discourse about faith--about how it is like a seed which will grow if planted and nourished, even until it will bear the fruit of eternal life. Alma 32:27-41 "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away. And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof. And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."

In the Old Testament I read that if we seek the Lord with all our heart and soul, we will find Him. If we turn to the Lord and are obedient to Him, He'll help us when we are in tribulation. Deuteronomy 4:29-30 " But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we need to be followers of God, as His dear children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. 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."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-16T07:50:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, but is a hope for things which are not seen but which are true. Alma 32: 21 "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

In the Old Testament we read the exhortations of Moses to the children of Israel, telling them to keep the commandments of the Lord and to teach them to their children and to be exemplary before all nations. Deuteronomy 4:1-9 "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"

A verse with a thought booklet again reminds us the importance of honesty, which seems to be emphasized again and again in the scriptures. Lying words are an abomination to the Lord, but He delights in those who speak the truth. Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-15T07:32:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that some of the people who were cast out of the synagogs because of their extreme poverty, were humbled to the point that they were willing to listen to Alma and hear the word of God. Sometimes it takes dire circumstances in our lives to humble us to the point that we're willing to turn to the Lord. Alma 32:5-8 "And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do? And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word. Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them: I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye."

In the Old testament we read that Israel was able to destroy the people of Bashan, even though their cities were fenced with high walls, gates and bars. When we have the Lord on our side, we can prevail even against the most difficult of circumstances. Deuteronomy 3:1-6 "Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. And the Lord said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. So the Lord our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining. And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many. And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a fool is easily provoked to anger. Bad anger tends to unleash destructive energy. Most of us get angry at one time or another. How do we express our anger? If we do it in ways that destroy relationships and hurt other people, we're allowing the devil to have a foothold in our lives. And we are fools! Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-14T06:46:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the Zoramites and the strange way they worshiped. They built a high stand where they'd take turns going to the top and offering up prayers to God in which they'd thank him that they had been elected to be saved and thank Him that they weren't lead astray into believing in Christ and other foolish traditions. Then after saying these prayers they'd go home and never think of or talk of God again until the next week when they'd come back to the synagog and say similar prayers. When Alma saw this he was very grieved for the wickedness and pride of the people. Alma 31: 12-25 "Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld; For they had a place built up in the center of their synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and the top thereof would only admit one person. Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying: Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever. Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ. But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God. And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen. Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure. For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers. Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand. Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about. Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner. Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods. Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride."

In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord commanded the children of Israel to go and possess their land of promise, but they saw how strong the people in the land were and were afraid to go up against them. Since the Lord would have been with them and helped them conquer the people, this was silly to be afraid. But they refused to trust in the Lord, even though He had been with them in bringing them out of Egypt. This made the Lord angry, so He told them that only Joshua and Caleb would be allowed to go into the promised land. Deuteronomy 1:26-40 "Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God: And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day. And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord. Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither. But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea."

A verse with a thought booklet emphasizes the importance of keeping our thoughts on things that are pure, honest, true, lovely, and virtuous. What do we feed our minds with? Our thoughts influence our actions. And what we choose to think about will determine the type of person we will become. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-13T06:43:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that preaching the word of God has a greater and more powerful effect on people than the sword or anything else does. Alma 31:5 "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

In the Old Testament I read that Moses himself could not alone bear all the burdens and strife that the people came to him with. So he took wise and understanding men and made them rulers, delegating some of his responsibilities to them. If we're overwhelmed with too much to do, can we find some other people to help us carry some of the load? Deuteronomy 1:12-13 "How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us than we have problems or tribulations that are weighing us down, there is a God which made heaven and earth and He will help us. If He was powerful enough to create all things, He certainly can help us with whatever is troubling us. We just need to turn to Him. Psalms 121:1-2 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-12T07:59:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we see the sad end of Korihor who went from house to house begging for food until he was trodden down and died. And from this we see that the devil does not support his children at the last day, but speedily drags them down to hell. Alma 30: 56-60 "And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for his food. Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them. And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging food for his support. And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead. And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."

In the Old Testament we read that capitol punishment should be used for murderers, but more than one witness needs to testify against them and we should take no satisfaction in their death. Numbers 35:30-31 "Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to watch the example of the ant and see how she works hard even with no overseer watching her. She goes to work and gets the job done, gathering food for herself. Do we work hard even without a supervisor hovering over us? Do we always put in a full day's work for a full day's pay, or do we slacken off if no one is around to watch us? Do we say that we love work--we could watch it all day long? Our God is a worker. He created the world and everything in it. And He created us to be a people who can contribute something to the world. He gave us minds to think and hands to use to fulfill whatever tasks He has in mind for us. If we're wise, we'll follow the example of the industrious ant and go to work! Proverbs 6:6-8 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-11T06:56:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read the continued conversation between Alma and Korihor in which Korihor denied the existence of God and demanded to be shown a sign. Alma told him that all things denote there is a God. The very earth and its existence shows that there is a God who created it. And all the prophets down through the ages have testified to the existence of God. But Korihor had hardened his heart so much and allowed Satan to take such hold of him that he could not see or understand any of this and still demanded a sign. So the sign that he was given that he was struck dumb so he could no longer speak such lies. Alma 30: 37-50 "And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And he answered, Nay. Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come. And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true? Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God. And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words. But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign. And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him: Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed. But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more. Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe. Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance. Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord commanded the children of Israel to drive out the inhabitants of the land so they could possess the land themselves for their inheritance. If they refused to do this, the inhabitants of the land would vex them and cause their downfall and the Lord would do to the children of Israel what he'd intended to do to the inhabitants. When we have something in our lives that is a bad influence on us and causes us to stray from what is right, we need to get that influence out of our lives. This may mean ending unhealthy relationships, changing the type of music we listen to, or unplugging the TV or computer. Whatever it is in our lives that causes us to lose the Spirit or drive us farther from God, needs to go! Numbers 33:53-56 "And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the Word of the Lord lights our path, which shows us the way to go. Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-10T06:14:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the false teachings of Korihor, who claimed that those who believed in God were foolish and that those who tried to keep the commandments were in bondage. People teach similar things today. Alma 30:22-28 "And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophets? Now the high priest's name was Giddonah. And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words. Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true. Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents. And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world— And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges. Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be."

In the Old Testament I read that because the children of Isreal were discouraged from being willing to go and possess the land the Lord had given to them, the Lord was angry with them and made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years until everyone over the age of 20 had died off, except for Joshua and Caleb who wholly followed the Lord. When the Lord commands us to do something, even though it seems difficult or impossible to accomplish, He will be with us and help us do it. But if we become discouraged and don't even want to try, He is displeased with us. Numbers 32:7-13 "And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land. For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. And the LORD'S anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD. And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord blessed the children of Israel in all the work of their hands and watched over their journey in the wilderness. For forty years He was with them and they lacked nothing. So likewise does He sustain us on our spiritual journey through life as we travel toward eternal life. When we're weary, we have a resting place in Him. We can feed on His Word when we're hungry. He even provides us with little tender mercies along the way to show us His love. When we place serving Him as our first priority, He provides for our needs. He provides us provision and protection as we journey toward our heavenly reward. Deuteronomy 2:7 "For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-09T07:47:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that Korihor, an Anti-Christ, preached many false things to the people. He told them that there was no way of knowing things that are to come, that there is no life after death, that a belief in Christ and His atonement is the result of a frenzied and deranged mind, and that whatever a man does is no crime. There are many people today who believe such nonsense. Alma 30:6, 12-18 "But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ. And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach, saying: O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come. Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers. How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ. Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so. And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime. And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof."

In the Old Testament I rad that the Lord commanded Moses to have the children of Israel destroy the Midianites. They had caused the children of Israel to commit trespasses against the Lord. Numbers 31:1-3, 16 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the Lord of Midian. Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read about the vanity of placing our hearts on the riches of the world. When we love riches, no matter how much we have, it will never be enough and it will not satisfy us. The only thing that can truly bring us lasting satisfaction if our relationship with the Lord. Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-08T07:19:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when Alma saw truly penitent people coming to the Lord, his soul was filled with joy, remember all the Lord has done and how He answered his prayers in extending mercy. Alma 29:10 "And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."

In the Old Testament I read that if we vow or make an oath, we need to do what we say we'll do. Our word should be our bond. Numbers 30:1-2 "And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that a wise man will listen and increase in knowledge and understanding. However, a foolish man will despise wisdom and instruction. If we think we know it all and refuse to hear what others have to say, we're fools! Proverbs 1:5, 7 "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about the great destruction which had come upon the people--many thousands were killed while many thousands of others mourned for their loss. Those who died in wickedness would be consigned to a state of endless woe, while those who were righteous would receive the promises of the Lord that they would dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. So there is a great inequality of man due to their own choices, whether they are righteous or wicked. Alma 28:11-14 "And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo. While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness. And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men. And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."

In the Old Testament I read about how Joshua was called and set apart to lead Israel. Numbers 27:18-23 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us of the importance of paying our tithing and offerings. If we don't, we'll be cursed because we are robbing God. But if we do pay our tithing, the Lord will pour us out blessings that there won't be room enough to receive them. I have found this to be so true in my own life and in the lives of others. As long as we pay our tithing, the Lord will take care of us. Everything we have comes from God. The least we can do is return a tenth of it to Him. Malachi 3:8-11 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-06T06:59:00.001-08:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about the great righteousness of the people of Ammon. They were numbered among the people of Nephi and the people in the church of God. They had great zeal towards God and men and were honest and upright and firm in their faith in Christ. They refused to take up arms against their brethren and were willing to suffer death before they would smite another person with the sword. They were beloved and highly favored by the Lord. Alma 27:27-30 "And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it. Therefore, they would suffer death in the most aggravating and distressing manner which could be inflicted by their brethren, before they would take the sword or cimeter to smite them. And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord."

In the Old Testament I read that they numbered all the children of Israel, but there were none except Caleb and Joshua who had also been numbered when the children of Israel were numbered in the wilderness of Sinai because the Lord had told them that they would die in the wilderness. This was because they were unwilling to trust in the Lord to go and conquer their enemies and enter into the promised land. Numbers 26:63-65 "These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."

Some verses with a thought booklet say that the proud and wicked will be burned, but to those who reverence the Lord, He will come with healing in His wings. When the Lord comes, it will be a dreadful day to the unrepentant wicked, but for the righteous it will be a day of peace and salvation. Malachi 4:1-2 "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-05T06:22:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord is mindful of every person in the world. He loves them all and is merciful towards them. This should give us great reason to rejoice and be thankful. Alma 26: 37 "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."

In the Old Testament we read that Israel was commanded to vex the Midianites and smite them, for they had beguiled them and caused them to sin. Numbers 25:16-18 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord will take us by the hand and be with us, so we have no need to fear. This is a good verse to commit to memory so that when we're going through difficult times, it can remind us that we're not alone. Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-04T07:41:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read of the great suffering and sacrifices of Ammon and his brothers who were trying to bring the gospel to the Lamanites. They suffered these afflictions with great patience and were thus rewarded with success in the labors. How patient are we when we're going through difficult times? Alma 26: 28-31 "And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God. And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again. And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us."

In the Old Testament I read about how the people were very wicked, which angered the Lord and 24,000 of them died in a plague. Wickedness does not go unpunished! Numbers 25:1-9 "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord rewards men according to their righteousness, showing mercy to the merciful, but bringing down the haughty. He will be a lamp to lighten our darkness. 2 Samuel 22:23-29 "For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-03T08:11:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that if we want the mysteries of God revealed to us and we want success in missionary work and helping to bring others to repentance, we need to have faith, repent, pray continually without ceasing, and bring forth good works. Alma 26:22 "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."

In the Old Testament I read that Balak offered Balaam money and honor to come and curse Israel, but the Lord forbade him from doing so. When we receive peer pressure or it seems very adventageous to do something that we know is wrong, how do we react? Do we cave in and do what others want us to do, or do we stand firm in obeying the commandments of the Lord? Numbers 22:9-18 "And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you. And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more."

A verse with a thought booklet is prophetic in telling about a king who would come who would be lowly and riding upon a donkey, which is exactly what Jesus Christ did. Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
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Daily Thoughts

2011-11-02T07:00:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon we read that thousands of the Lamanites were brought into the fold of God, being brought from the darkest abyss to being able to behold the marvelous light of God. Ammon rejoiced in the blessing of being an instrument in the hands of God to help bright this great work to pass. Alma 26:3-4, 13-15 "Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work. Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought into the fold of God. Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice? Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work."

In the Old Testament we read that the people again spoke against God and against Moses, complaining and murmuring, so the Lord send fiery serpents which bit the people, causing many of the people to die. The people begged Moses to take the serpents away. The Lord told Moses to make a fiery serpent out of brass and sit it up on a pole and if the people would merely look at it, they would live. Numbers 21:5-9 "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a cheerful heart has a continual feast. A cheerful heart can not only make us happy, but all those around us as well. Let's do what we can to spread joy today to all those we come into contact with. Proverbs 15:15 " All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast."

Daily Thoughts

2011-11-01T06:53:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when people who have once been enlightened and known the truth turn away from it, they become more hardened and in a worse state than had they never known those things. It is sad when a good person who knows the truth falls away. I've seen this happen to people and often they become very bitter and bent on fighting the work of the Lord. I've seen people who could leave the church but could not leave it alone. And they indeed are in a worse state than people who never knew or understood about the gospel in the first place. Alma 24: 30 "And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things."

In the Old Testament we read about how there was no water so the people murmured and complained to Moses and Aaron. They went to the tabernacle and fell on their faces and the glory of the Lord appeared to them and the Lord told Moses to smite a rock with his rod and water would come out. He did that and water gushed out to quench the thirst of all the people and their animals. Numbers 20:2-11 "And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also."

Some verses in a thought booklet exhort us to be holy and serve the Lord, giving us lots of things we need to work on such as being king, humble, longsuffering, merciful, charitable, forgiving, etc. We need to let the Word of Christ dwell in us and the peace of God rule in our hearts, and do all that we do, in word or in deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, always giving thanks unto God. Colossians 3:12-17 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-31T07:02:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people who had been converted refused to fight when their enemies came upon them. Instead they chose to lie down on the ground and praise God as they were being killed. This so touched their enemies that they repented of their murders and turned to the Lord themselves. In fact, more people joined the people of God than had been slain. And from this we can see that the Lord works in many ways for the salvation of His people. Alma 24: 21-27 "Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword— Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them. And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people."

In the Old Testament I read that some of the people sought priestly offices and the Lord caused the earth to open up and swallow three rebels and their families and then send fire down to consume 250 more. Numbers 16:28-35 "And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul and make sure our conversation is honest. We need to keep ourselves above reproach so that those who claim we are evildoers will see our good works and glorify God. If we are true disciples of Christ we need to act the part so others can see that we are His followers, by the way that we live our lives. 1 Peter 2:11-12 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-30T07:34:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people who had been converted refused to take up arms against their enemies and instead buried their weapons on war deep in the earth as a witness that they would never again shed the blood of men. They had repented of the many murders they had committed in the past and did not want to take any chances in committing more murders. Alma 24:6-19 "Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not. Now, these are the words which he said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked fathers. And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites. And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed. And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son. And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain— Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren. Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins. And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations. Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby. And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved. And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands. And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord was so displeased because of the people's murmuring and lack of faith that he said only Joshua and Caleb would be allowed to go into the promised land. The people would need to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Numbers 14:26-33 "And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we don't need to be afraid or discouraged because the Lord goes before us and will be with us--He will never leave us nor forsake us. The thought that went with this, written by Stacie Roth Miller from Fort Wayne, Indiana says: "Mommy, don't leave me!" My four-year-old daughter howled as she scrambled down the stairs. Always on a time crunch to get three small children out the door, I had begun loading Addison's twin baby brothers into our minivan while she was retrieving a last-minute item from her room. Hearing the commotion downstairs, she grew frantic at the thought of being left behind and burst into tears. I was surprised, and frankly a little impatient with the strength of her reaction. Didn't she trust me? Hadn't I always cared for her with love? I took a calming breath. "Honey, I am not going to leave you. Have I ever left you?" She sniffed and wiped her eyes. "No." The larger truth of that moment pierced me. I as walking through a hard time in my life, and though it's hard to admit, my faith in God's goodness was wavering. I was so focused on my current problems that I was forgetting all the times God had proved Himself faithful to me. As I began to recall some of those tough moments, I was reassured that God had never yet left me alone. And He never will. Faithful Father, I want to never forget the great things you have done for me. Help me continue to put my trust in you. Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-29T08:12:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that after the king was converted, he sent a decree among his people that they should not persecute Ammon and his brethren and should allow them free access to preach the gospel in the land. Because of this, thousands were brought to a knowledge of the Lord. And they never did fall away. This shows how much good can come from a righteous leader. Alma 23:1-7 "Behold, now it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation among all his people, that they should not lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor either of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their land. Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries. And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout the land unto his people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness. And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success. And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time. And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away. For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren."

In the Old Testament I read that the spies who were sent to Caanan to spy out the land came back with reports of the wonderful fruit there, describing it as a land of milk and honey. However, most of the spies describes the "giants" of the land and the mighty people who made them look like grasshoppers by comparison. However, Caleb had faith in the Lord that with His help, they could conquer their enemies. He said, Let's go up and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. When we have faith in the Lord, we can accomplish things we never would be able to do otherwise. But when we lack faith, our fears overcome us. Numbers 13:27-33 "And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

A verse in a thought booklet reminds us that all the money in the world won't save us from the wrath of God if we are wicked. So were are our priorities--on seeking riches or on seeking the Lord? Are we placing our hope on things that will not last? When we meet the Lord, all of our worldly accomplishments and wealth will count for nothing. Are we preparing ourselves for that day in ways that really count? Zephaniah 1:18 "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-28T06:39:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how after the king had been taught about the atonement by Aaron, he asked what he could do to have eternal life. Aaron instructed him to call upon God in faith and humility. The king said he would give away all his sins to know the Lord. Are we willing to give away all our sins to know God? Alma 22:15-18 "And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest. And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."

In the Old Testament I read that Moses sent twelve spies to search the land of Canaan to see whether the land was strong or weak, few or many, fat or lean. Numbers 13:17-20 "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Look around at all the wondrous creations of God--the majestic mountains, the powerful rivers, the vast oceans, the beautiful flowers with all their variety and color. If He could create all that, don't you think He can handle taking care of your problems in the way that's best for you? Sometimes that means removing our difficulties, and other times that means strengthening us so that we can bear them. But we can trust in Him to take care of us in the way that is best. Psalms 121:2 "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Aaron was able to teach the king about the fall of Adam and about the atonement of Christ. Because of the atonement, we can repent of our sins and be resurrected from the dead. Alma 22:12-14 "And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name. And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king."

In the Old Testament we read about the seriousness of murmuring against the Lord's prophet. Moses own brother and sister were speaking out against Moses because they didn't approve of the women he'd married. The Lord was so displeased with their murmuring that he struck Miriam down with leprosy. Moses pleaded with the Lord to heal her, but the Lord said he'd leave her with the leprosy for seven days, during which time she was shut out from the camp. Numbers 12:1-15 "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that even if our crops fail and our herds disappear, we can still rejoice in the Lord, the God our our salvation. He is our strength! Even if everything else in our life goes wrong, we can turn to the Lord and He will get is through it. We can trust in Him, even when going through the trials and tribulations of life. This isn't easy to do when we lose our job, or develop cancer, or our marriage falls apart. But we can always trust in God, who is faithful. Take comfort! Even when life is barren, God never fails His people. If we trust in Him, He will strengthen us and help us get through all our trials. All these things will give us experience and be for our good, and if we endure them well, He'll eventually exhalt us on high. Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-26T08:00:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Aaron had tried to preach to the people, teaching them out of the scriptures about how Christ had died for them and there was no redemption except through Him. However, they would not hear his words and were angry with him, mocking him. Few would believe the words which he taught. He and his brethren were cast into prison and suffered much until Ammon had them released and they were fed and clothed. Alma 21:9-14 "Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood. And it came to pass as he began to expound these things unto them they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they would not hear the words which he spake. Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his words, he departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which was called Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki preaching the word unto them; and also Ammah and his brethren. And they contended with many about the word. And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught. Nevertheless, Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of the land of Middoni unto the regions round about. And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and they were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon, and they were fed and clothed."

In the Old Testament I read that when the people complained, the Lord was angry and displeased when he heard their murmurs. In fact, He was so upset with them that He sent fire to burn them up. Next time we're tempted to complain and murmur, let's remember how unhappy it makes the Lord and try to have a more cheerful attitude. Numbers 11:1 "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is good and will be a strong hold during troubled days for those who trust in Him. He knows each one of us! Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-25T08:12:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon I read that when Ammon and Lamoni had Ammon's brethren released out of prison, they were very sad at the poor condition they were in and how much they had suffered at the hands of wicked and hardened people. But they had been patient in all their sufferings. How patient are we when we are going through difficult circumstances? Alma 20:28-30 "And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni proceeded on their journey towards the land of Middoni. And Lamoni found favor in the eyes of the king of the land; therefore the brethren of Ammon were brought forth out of prison. And when Ammon did meet them he was exceedingly sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords. And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings. And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people; therefore they would not hearken unto their words, and they had cast them out, and had smitten them, and had driven them from house to house, and from place to place, even until they had arrived in the land of Middoni; and there they were taken and cast into prison, and bound with strong cords, and kept in prison for many days, and were delivered by Lamoni and Ammon."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord commanded the children of Israel, through Moses, to make two trumpets. These were to be used to call them to assembly and for journeying and also to sound an alarm if they went into war against their enemies that oppressed them, as a reminder that the Lord had saved them from their enemies. And in their days of gladness and solemn days, they should blow the trumpets over their burnt offerings and sacrifices, that they would be a memorial before God that He is the Lord. Sounds like these trumpets were to be blown on various occasions for various reasons, but was sometimes used to remind them of things they needed to remember. Numbers 10:1-10 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God."

Some scriptures from a thought booklet tell us that sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and will follow him, rather than the voice of a stranger. We need to become so well acquainted with our Savior, the Good Shepherd, that we recognize His voice and willingly follow Him. If we get a phone call from a friend we know well, we don't need to ask who they are. We know immediately. Do we know our Savior well enough that we likewise can recognize His voice? John 10:1-5 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

Daily Thoughts

2011-10-24T08:00:00.001-07:00

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the multitude who were gathered together contended about why the king and his servants had fallen to the ground. One man tried to slay Ammon but was struck down dead because Ammon's father had been promised that he would be protected. There was so much contention regarding why these things were happening, that Abish, who had brought the people together, was brought to tears. She then took the queen by the hand and revived her, who stood up and praised God. She likewise revived King Lamoni who witnessed to the marvelous things he had beheld. Many people who heard their words were converted and baptized and the church was able to be established among them. Alma 19:19-36 "And now the people began to murmur among themselves; some saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or upon the king and his house, because he had suffered that the Nephite should remain in the land. But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath brought this evil upon his house, because he slew his servants who had had their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus. And they were also rebuked by those men who had stood at the waters of Sebus and scattered the flocks which belonged to the king, for they were angry with Ammon because of the number which he had slain of their brethren at the waters of Sebus, while defending the flocks of the king. Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead. Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord. And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld that the man had fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammon, fear came upon them all, and they durst not put forth their hands to touch him or any of those who had fallen; and they began to marvel again among themselves what could be the cause of this great power, or what all these things could mean. And it came to pass that there were many among them who said that Ammon was the Great Spirit, and others said he was sent by the Great Spirit; But others rebuked them all, saying that he was a monster, who had been sent from the Nephites to torment them. And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their brethren, the Lamanites. And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears. And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people! And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood; and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni, by the hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet. And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord. But there were many among them who would not hear his words; therefore they went their way. And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil. And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told them things of God, and of his righteousness. And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them. And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord was able to communicate with the children of Israel about whether He wanted they to journey or whether He wanted them to pitch their tents and remain. He sent a loud by day and a pillar of fire by night. If the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, that was in indication to remain, whether it be for a day or a year. And if it moved, they would need to move. Numbers 9:15-23 "And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not. And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed and will provide a refuge in times of trouble to all those who put their trust in Him. Picture a violent storm, wind lashing the trees, rain gushing over a precipice where a mother bird sits on a nest, her wings sheltering her young. That is the way the Lord will protect us against the storms of life if we'll put our trust in Him. He will be there for us. Psalms 9:9-10 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."