In the Old Testament I read about how the Israelits traveled three days into the wilderness and had no water. They came to Marah but could not drink the water because it was bitter. This caused the people to murmur against Moses. However, Moses cried unto the Lord who showed him a tree that he could cast into the waters to make them sweet so the people could drink it. Another example of how God answered their prayers and performed miracles in their behalf. Indeed, the Lord told the people that if they would diligently hearken to His voice and keep His commandments, He would put none of the diseases before them that He had brought upon the Egyptians. Exodus 15: 22-26 "So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee."

In the D&C we're told to call on the name of the Lord for the comforter, which will teach us all things that are expedient for us. We're to pray always for strength, and the Lord will be with us, even to the end. D&C 75: 10-11 "Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them— Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end."

A verse from a thought booklet talks about friendship and how if we wants friends we should be friendly ourselves, and stick closer than a brother. Prov. 18: 24 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." The thought that went with this, written by Ginny Pfeifer from Winona Lake, Indiana says: They sat at a table making artwork from Play Doh. Marie was feeling grouchy, and Hannah's repeated offer, "Want to be my friend?" was not received or returned. Teacher, seeing Hannah's troubled face, asked, "What's wrong, Hannah?" "Marie doesn't want to be my friend," she whispered. "I'm sorry," Teacher replied, "Perhaps Marie isn't feeling well today. But I'll be your friend." With a happy smile Hannah went back to her play. All was right. She was accepted and loved. Teacher was her friend. At times we are bruised by an unkind remark. Our offer of friendship is refused. We feel rejected. Jesus has promised, "I'll be your friend." When we have a friend such as this, we will keep on reaching out to others, offering love and sharing the Good News of "a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

In the Old Testament I read about how the people of other nations would hear about what happened and would fear the Lord and tremble. Exodus 15:14-16 "The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased."

A verse from the D&C tells us that we need to be equal in temporal things, and not do it grudgingly. In other words, if we have an abundance of this world's goods, we need to share with the poor so that we can be equal. If we don't do this, the manifestations of the Spirit will be withheld. D&C 70: 14 "Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld."

Going right along with this, a verse from a thought booklet tells us that we should open our hand wide to help the poor and needy in the land. Deut. 15: 11 "For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

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In the Old Testament I read about how Moses and the children of Israel sang the praises of the Lord, extolling how He had delivered them from Egypt and parted the Red Sea for them, only to close the waters in on the Egyptians and drown them with their chariots. Exodus 15:1-13 "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is alike unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation."

In the D&C I read the importance of parents teaching their children the doctrines of repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, baptism and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. They are to teach their children to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord. Children are to be baptized when eight years old. If parents fail to teach their children these things, the sin will be upon the heads of the parents. Having taught 7-8 year old children in primary for many years, I can clearly see that some parents do a beautiful job of teaching their children these things and the result is that these children are well prepared for baptism at age 8. Other children are not taught as well by their parents. It truly makes a huge difference when parents diligently teach their children the doctrines of the gospel. D&C 28: 25-28 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to those who thirst. Rev. 21: 6 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

In the Old Testament I read about how Pharaoh hardened his heart and decided to come after the Israelites who had fled into the wilderness. He overtook them encamping by the sea. When the Israelites saw the Egyptians coming upon them with their chariots and horsement, they were very much afraid. They told Moses they would rather have stayed in Egypt and served the Egyptians and that he should have left well enough alone instead of getting them out of there. However, Moses told the people not to be afraid, the Lord would fight for them. He lifted up his rod and stretched it over the sea, causing the sea to divide so that the Israelites could cross on dry grown, with a wall of water on their left and a wall of water on their right. However, when the Egyptians tried to cross after them, the sea came together again and drowned the Egyptians. Ex. 14: 8-16, 21-31 "And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou bdealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And atook off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses."

In the D&C I read some verses that tell us that Priesthood leaders who are called of God and moved by the Holy Ghost to speak are able to speak the words of the Lord and that when they are moved to speak in such a manner, the words they say are like scripture. D&C 68: 2-5 "And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth— And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants."

Some verses with a thought booklet explain how the eyes of our understanding are enlightened by the Lord and we can be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Christ was raised fromt he dead and is head of the church. Eph. 1: 17-23 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Part of the thought that went with this, written by the Rev. Peter Hooytema from Midland Park, New Jersey said: I remember when my children were learning about the nation of Bhutan in school. They were surprised to learn that the Bhutanese people are permitted to visit the king of Bhutan whenever they want to. About 30 people go to see the king each day. Can you imagine being able to speak wtih the leader of your country? As amazing as that sounds, we have a far greater privilege that is ours to enjoy every time we pray. We get to speak directly to the Lord of creation. Thank you, Lord, for being our King who hears all our prayers. In all of the struggles we face in life, may we always turn to you alone for help.

In the Old Testament I read about how when the Israelites left Egypt they took the bones of Joseph with them, who had requested that he not be buried in Egypt. The Lord went before them as they travelled, giving them a pillar of cloud to lead the way by day and a pillar of fire to give them light by night. Ex. 13: 19-22 "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

In the D&C I read the challenge that if anyone thinks the Book of Commandments (which later became the D&C) is not true, they should take the least of the revelations in it and the wisest person among them should try to write one like it. If they can do it, then they're justified in saying they're not true. But if not, they need to bear record that they are true. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord. D&C 67: 6-10 "Now, seek ye out of the Book of Commandments, even the least that is among them, and appoint him that is the most wise among you; Or, if there be any among you that shall make one like unto it, then ye are justified in saying that ye do not know that they are true; But if ye cannot make one like unto it, ye are under condemnation if ye do not bear record that they are true. For ye know that there is no unrighteousness in them, and that which is righteous cometh down from above, from the Father of lights. And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Abram wanted no strife between himself and lot, for they were brothers. It is important that we do our best to keep the peace with our family members, even if it means giving in to them, such as in this case letting them choose the best land. Gen. 13: 8 "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." The thought that went with this, written by Jacqueline Leaycraft from Carson, California says: Who of us at one time or other have not had a disagreement with a family member? People wo love each other sometimes disagree. we are certain to have differing opinions but disagreements do not have to escalate. We need to follow the example of Abraham in solving our family disputes. When it looked like there was a potential disagreement with Lot, he faced the matter head on. Even though he was the older of the two, and by right had first choice, he let Lot choose first. In doing so, Abraham knew that he was risking being cheated, but he was willing to take that risk anyway. Abraham showed by his example how to respond to family disagreements: (1) take the inititive in resolving conflicts, (2) let the other person have the first choice, and (3) put family peace above personal desires.

In the Old Testament I read about how it should be taught to future generations how the Lord passed over the firstborn of the Isrealites but smote the firstborn of the Egyptians. Ex. 13: 14-15 "And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem."

In the D&C I read a verse that contained several different thoughts--that the sick can be healed by laying on of hands by a priesthood holder, that we need to be patient in afflictions, and that if we ask we shall receive and if we knock it shall be opened to us. D&C 66: 9 "Lay your hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. Return not till I, the Lord, shall send you. Be patient in affliction. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us how much we're valued by our Heavenly Father. Even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without the Father knowing it and caring. But we are of more value than many sparrows. Even the very hairs of our head are numbered to Him. Matt. 10: 29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." The thought that went with this, written by Teddy Ann Richardson from Randallstown, Maryland said: One morning my six year old son said to me, "Mommy, when I'm at school I feel small and when I'm at home I feel big." Taken by his profound statement, I shared it with a couple of friends and found it interesting how they responded. "It's a good experience for an only child to be in a setting like school where they are one of many; that's humbling," said one. "We all need to feel big at home; home is the one place we can feel special," said the other. As God's child, each of us is one of millions of souls saved by our Savior's death on the cross. We are such a small part of the big picture; we need to consider God and others as more important than ourselves. Yet we are so important to God that he knows our every need, our comings and going, and the number of hairs on our heads. God wants to use each of us in a special way. Lord, I honor you and your plan as much more important than myself. I also thank you for being so concerned with me that you know about the tiny details of my life.

In the Old Testament I read about how Moses told the Israelites to take a lamb and dip its blood in a bason and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood. Everyhouse that did this would be passed over and their firstborn would be spared. And this service would be kept through the generations so that when children asked what it meant, they could be retold the story of how the Lord smote the firstborn of the Egyptians but the firstborn of the Israelites were saved alive. At midnight, everything took place just as the Lord said it would, and the Lord smote all the firstborn. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron by night and told them to rise up and leave, and take their flocks and herds with them. Ex. 12: 21-32 "Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also."

In the D&C I read a verse that tells us not to be weary in well-doing. I recall a time when this scripture popped into my head right at a time when I needed to be reminded of this principle. I was going over to a blind man's house every day to take care of his cats while he was in the hospital for a long period of time and after changing the cat litters for the umpteeth time, I questioned how long I'd have to continue doing this. That's when I received this little reminder not to be weary in well-doing. It came into my mind just at the moment I needed it. I knew that I was doing something the Lord wanted me to do and I should do it cheerfully and gladly. This little verse changed my attitude. D&C 64: 33 "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it's more blessed to give than to receive, something that we also need to be reminded of from time to time. Indeed, unselfish people who are more concerned about what they can give than about what they'll receive are generally much happier people. Acts 20: 35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

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