In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord came to Haggai and told him to speak to Zerubbabel, telling him that he would destroy the kingdoms of the wicked and overthrow their chariots, but that He had chosen Zerubbabel and would make of his a signet. Hag. 2: 20-23 "And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts."
In the D&C I read about how we need to stop contending with one another and how we need to quit speaking evil of each other. Contention is of the devil. And there's an old saying that if you can't say something nice about another person, you should not say anything at all. D&C 136: 23 "Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet go right along with this, emphasizing how important the words we speak are. The tongue is a small thing. But just like a small helm can direct a large ship or a small bit in a horse's mouth can control him, so can the small tongue have a major impact in our life and the lives of those around us. The tongue can speak kind and gentle words that will soothe and comfort. Or it can speak bitter, angry words that will cause damage and pain. This should not be! Even though it's very difficult to rule the tongue, if we're wise we'll show only good conversation full of meekness. Our words can make all the difference in the world to those around us--for good or bad. Let's make sure our words edify and encourage and make a positive difference in the lives of others. James 3: 3-13 "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. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
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And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the Lord would be in the midst of the righteous and there would be joy and singing. He will gather those who are sorrowful and undo all that afflicted them. What a blessed and wonderful day this will be! We can know that all our sorrows and afflictions will someday be turned into joy and singing if we endure to the end and do what is right. Zeph. 3: 17-20 "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord."
In the D&C we're told that if we do what the Lord counsels us to do, we don't need to fear what our enemies will do--they will be powerless to stop the Lord's work from progressing. But any man who does not seek the Lord's counsel but instead wants to build himself up, will have no power. There is power in keeping the Lord's commandments and doing His will. D&C 136: 17-19 "Go thy way and do as I have told you, and fear not thine enemies; for they shall not have power to stop my work. Zion shall be redeemed in mine own due time. And if any man shall seek to build up himself, and seeketh not my counsel, he shall have no power, and his folly shall be made manifest."
A verse with a thought booklet announces peace and good will toward men at the birth of Christ. But all you have to do is watch the nightly news to wonder where the peace is. How do we find peace in this world of turmoil? It's still found the same place it was found 2,000 years ago when this scripture was written--in Jesus Christ. Luke 2: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
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In the D&C we're told that if we do what the Lord counsels us to do, we don't need to fear what our enemies will do--they will be powerless to stop the Lord's work from progressing. But any man who does not seek the Lord's counsel but instead wants to build himself up, will have no power. There is power in keeping the Lord's commandments and doing His will. D&C 136: 17-19 "Go thy way and do as I have told you, and fear not thine enemies; for they shall not have power to stop my work. Zion shall be redeemed in mine own due time. And if any man shall seek to build up himself, and seeketh not my counsel, he shall have no power, and his folly shall be made manifest."
A verse with a thought booklet announces peace and good will toward men at the birth of Christ. But all you have to do is watch the nightly news to wonder where the peace is. How do we find peace in this world of turmoil? It's still found the same place it was found 2,000 years ago when this scripture was written--in Jesus Christ. Luke 2: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
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Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the haughty who rejoice in their pride and who transgress against the Lord will be taken away out of the midst of the people. Zeph. 3: 11 "In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain."
In the D&C I read the words of John Taylor who described the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, and also tells about the great things that Joseph Smith accomplished in his short life, in restoring the gospel to the earth. D&C 135: 1-3 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls. John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe. Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"
A verse with a thought booklet says that God put man in the Garden of Eden so he could dress it and keep it. Now here was God who had just created the earth and everything on it. If He had wanted to, He could have taken care of the Garden of Eden Himself. So why did He expect Adam and Eve to work in the garden and tend it? God could have avoided creating weeds and could have created crops that would take care of themselves and fall into our mouths without having to be harvested. He is all powerful. He could have made life much easier for us. So why didn't He make a world where we wouldn't have to do anything? It was for our benefit! Work is good and actually helps us grow. It is a good thing for us to do productive things and accomplish goals. God did not create a world for us to sit around and be lazy in. He gives us things to do. And it's for our benefit that we do them. Gen. 2: 15 "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
In the D&C I read the words of John Taylor who described the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, and also tells about the great things that Joseph Smith accomplished in his short life, in restoring the gospel to the earth. D&C 135: 1-3 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls. John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe. Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"
A verse with a thought booklet says that God put man in the Garden of Eden so he could dress it and keep it. Now here was God who had just created the earth and everything on it. If He had wanted to, He could have taken care of the Garden of Eden Himself. So why did He expect Adam and Eve to work in the garden and tend it? God could have avoided creating weeds and could have created crops that would take care of themselves and fall into our mouths without having to be harvested. He is all powerful. He could have made life much easier for us. So why didn't He make a world where we wouldn't have to do anything? It was for our benefit! Work is good and actually helps us grow. It is a good thing for us to do productive things and accomplish goals. God did not create a world for us to sit around and be lazy in. He gives us things to do. And it's for our benefit that we do them. Gen. 2: 15 "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it talks about how woe will come to those who are filthy and polluted. Nations will be cut off and made desolate, and their streets waste. Those who are corrupt will be punished for their doings and the fierce anger of the Lord will be poured out upon them. All good reasons for us to repent! Zeph. 3: 1-8 "Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy."
In the D&C I read that eternal life will be given to everyone who repents and sanctifies themselves before God. But those who refuse to listen to the voice of the Lord will be cut off. Again, good reasons to repent! D&C 133: 62-63 "And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that Jesus is the door by which men enter to be saved. He has come to give us life--and not just any life, but abundant life! We are to live life to the fullest and enjoy it. John 10: 9-10 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
In the D&C I read that eternal life will be given to everyone who repents and sanctifies themselves before God. But those who refuse to listen to the voice of the Lord will be cut off. Again, good reasons to repent! D&C 133: 62-63 "And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that Jesus is the door by which men enter to be saved. He has come to give us life--and not just any life, but abundant life! We are to live life to the fullest and enjoy it. John 10: 9-10 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we're told to seek meekness, righteousness, and to seek the Lord. Zeph. 2: 3 "Seek ye the Lord , all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger."
In the D&C we're told that the gospel will be preached to every nation, tongue and people. This is quite a daunting task! But when I think back to when I was a teenager how impossible it seemed that the gospel could ever be preached in Russia or Eastern Germany, I realize that nothing is impossible to the Lord. Now there are temples in places where once it seemed impossible for missionary work to go forth. This work will move forward, and we need to do our part to help it progress. D&C 133: 37 "And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
A verse with a thought booklet admonishes us to throw off everything that hinders our progress or weighs us down and every sin that so easily entangles us so that we can run with perserverance the race that is marked out for us. When running a race, we do much better without heavy things weighing us down or snares to get tangled up in. Let's free ourselves from anything holding us back so we can move forward toward the goal of eternal life. Heb. 12: 1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
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In the D&C we're told that the gospel will be preached to every nation, tongue and people. This is quite a daunting task! But when I think back to when I was a teenager how impossible it seemed that the gospel could ever be preached in Russia or Eastern Germany, I realize that nothing is impossible to the Lord. Now there are temples in places where once it seemed impossible for missionary work to go forth. This work will move forward, and we need to do our part to help it progress. D&C 133: 37 "And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
A verse with a thought booklet admonishes us to throw off everything that hinders our progress or weighs us down and every sin that so easily entangles us so that we can run with perserverance the race that is marked out for us. When running a race, we do much better without heavy things weighing us down or snares to get tangled up in. Let's free ourselves from anything holding us back so we can move forward toward the goal of eternal life. Heb. 12: 1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
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Sunday, January 2, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament Habakkuk trembles at the majesty and greatness of God. Hab. 3: 5-6, 10-12 "Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger."
In the D&C we're told to go out from Babylon (the world and its sins) and be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. D&C 133: 5 "Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to delight in the Lord, trust Him, and do good. He will give us the desires of our heart. If we truly delight in the Lord, we will love Him with all our hearts and we will want to please Him and keep His commandments. And the desires of our heart will be aligned with His will. We're willing to trust in Him with whatever His will is. So of course He'll grant us the desires of our heart! Ps. 37: 3-4 "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."
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In the D&C we're told to go out from Babylon (the world and its sins) and be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. D&C 133: 5 "Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to delight in the Lord, trust Him, and do good. He will give us the desires of our heart. If we truly delight in the Lord, we will love Him with all our hearts and we will want to please Him and keep His commandments. And the desires of our heart will be aligned with His will. We're willing to trust in Him with whatever His will is. So of course He'll grant us the desires of our heart! Ps. 37: 3-4 "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."
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it tells us that idols have no power and it is foolish to trust in them. Hab. 2: 18-20 "What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
In the D&C Joseph Smith was told that the Lord would be with him through all eternity and that a throne had been prepared for him in the kingdom of the Father. Have we lived our lives so that this can be true of us as well? D&C 132: 49 "For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can be redeemed from our sins through the blood of Christ. He suffered for our sins so that we wouldn't have to if we'd be willing to repent. Col. 1: 14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
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In the D&C Joseph Smith was told that the Lord would be with him through all eternity and that a throne had been prepared for him in the kingdom of the Father. Have we lived our lives so that this can be true of us as well? D&C 132: 49 "For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can be redeemed from our sins through the blood of Christ. He suffered for our sins so that we wouldn't have to if we'd be willing to repent. Col. 1: 14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
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