Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about how the people greatly rejoiced in the Lord and thanked and praised Him because He had delivered them from their enemies.  They knew that it was because of their repentance and humility that He had answered their prayers.  3 Nephi 4:30-33 "And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God for protection. And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies. Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God. And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord asked Solomon what he would like.  Instead of asking for riches or power, Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could judge his people with understanding.  The Lord was pleased that Solomon would ask for something so unselfish.  So in addition to giving Solomon the wisdom he asked for, the Lord also blessed him with the riches and honor he had not asked for. And the Lord told Solomon that if he would obey the commandments, He would lengthen out his days.  Likewise, I think the Lord often blesses us in abundance when we're unselfish in our requests to Him.  1 Kings 3:5-14 "In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the door and we need to enter to be saved and find pasture.  John 10: 9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the army of Giddianhi, fell to the earth in prayer and supplication to the Lord.  Giddianhi thought they had fallen because of fear of him, but he was sadly mistaken.  They were praying to the Lord for protection, which He gave them.  A great battle ensued and the Nephites were able to beat Giddianhi, in spite of his bold threatenings.  When we're faced with fierce enemies or any kind, we can pray to the Lord for help and guidance.  3 Nephi 4:8-12 "And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhi saw this they began to shout with a loud voice, because of their joy, for they had supposed that the Nephites had fallen with fear because of the terror of their armies. But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them. And the battle commenced in this the sixth month; and great and terrible was the battle thereof, yea, great and terrible was the slaughter thereof, insomuch that there never was known so great a slaughter among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem. And notwithstanding the threatenings and the oaths which Giddianhi had made, behold, the Nephites did beat them, insomuch that they did fall back from before them."

In the Old Testament we read about how when David was old and about to die, he charged his son Solomon to keep the commandments and walk in the way of the Lord.  1 Kings 2:1-3 "Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;  And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Christ is the true Light of the World that enlightens and sanctifies us.  If we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.  John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lachoneus told the people that unless they repented of their iniquities, the Lord would not deliver them out of the hands of the Gadianton robbers.  The people feared the words of Lachoneus and did repent of their sins, praying unto God to deliver them from their enemies.  And they also fortified themselves against their enemies.  If we want God to answer our prayers we need to be righteous and we also need to do whatever is within our own power to help what we're asking for to come to pass.  In other words, it's fine to ask the Lord to help us do well on a test, but we also need to study!   3 Nephi 3:15, 25 "Yea, he said unto them: As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be delivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers. And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle."


Yesterday we read about David sinning in having his people numbered.  Today we read that as punishment for this, the Lord gave him three choices--seven years of famine, three months of fleeing before his enemies, or three days of pestilence.  The Lord sent the pestilence and destroyed 70,000 men.  This demonstrated the futility of David counting his soldiers, when the Lord could so easily take them away by the thousands, in just a few days.  Much better to trust in the Lord than rely on the hand of man.  2 Samuel 24:11-15 "For when David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that Jesus is the Bread of Life and if we believe in Him, we will receive everlasting life.  We all need physical bread to live, and it will satisfy our physical hunger, at least temporarily.  But even if we eat bread every day, we'll eventually die.  However, if we eat of the Bread of Life, it will satisfy our spiritual hunger and we will live forever.  John 6: 47-51 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the people began to disbelieve and wickedness and abominations increased.  It's hard to understand how quickly people can forget the things of the Lord and be lead into wickedness!  3 Nephi 2:1-3 "And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen— Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing. And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land."

In the Old Testament I read that David sinned in insisting that his people be numbered.  I remember reading this years ago and wondering why it was such a sin to take a census of the people.  But I think the answer lies in the fact that by numbering the people, David was not trusting in the Lord to take care of him.  He was seeking security in finding out how many thousands of soldiers he had to fight his battles.  But what does it matter how many warriors you have as long as you have the Lord on your side to fight your battles?  The Lord and very few men are far better than thousands of men without the Lord's help.  By numbering the people, David was showing a lack of faith that the Lord would take care of him.  2 Samuel 24:2-4, 9-10 "For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.  And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?  Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can receive grace and peace through our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,"

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite in that there was a day, a night, and a day with no darkness, signifying that Christ was born.  3 Nephi 1: 15-19 "And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.  And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth. For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief. And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given."

In the Old Testament we read a psalm of thanksgiving in which David praises the Lord and talks about how the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies.  In his distress, David was able to call upon the Lord for help, and his cries entered into the ears of the Lord.  Likewise, when we're encircles about with trials and problems, we can turn to the Lord for help.  2 Samuel 22:1-7 "And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears."

A verse with a thought booklet talks about how the Lord will guide us continually and satisfy our souls in drought, like a spring of water that does not fail.  Isaiah 58:11 "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that some people began to say that the time was passed that Samuel the Lamanite had spoken of, and the signs he said would be given when Christ was born were not going to happen.  They set aside a day and said that if the sign wasn't given by then, all the believers would be killed.  Nephi turned to the Lord in prayer and was told that the sign would be given that night and Christ would be born that very day! 3 Nephi 1:5-14 "But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain. And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass. But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain. Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet. Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord sent a famine to punish the people because Saul smote the Gibeonites, contrary to the oath of Israel.  David went to the Gibeonites asking them what he would have him do to make this up to them.  They said they wanted seven of Saul's sons delivered up to them, to be hanged, which David complied with.  2 Samuel 21:1-6 "Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord? And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.  And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, whom the Lord did choose. And the king said, I will give them."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God's way is perfect and the Word of the Lord is tried.  If we trust in Him, He will be a shield to us.  Psalms 18: 30 "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about the great hold Satan got on the hearts of the people with his cunning lies and contentions and rumors that he spread throughout the land.  He did everything in his power to counteract the mighty miracles from the Lord.  Helaman 16:22-23 "And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land."


In the Old Testament we read that Absalom was riding a mule under an oak tree and his head got caught in the limbs.  In his helpless state, Joab slew him and cast him into a pit.  2 Samuel 18:9-17 "And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent."

Some verses with a thought booklet exhort us, when we have accepted Jesus Christ, to become new creatures and live righteously.  When we have been taught about Christ, it should change us as people.  Instead of being filled with deceitful lusts and being angry, stealing, having malice, and allowing corrupt communication to proceed forth out of our mouths, we need to be kind, loving, and forgiving toward others. Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-2 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 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.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 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."