Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Abinidi had taught the priests the Ten Commandments, he told them that they had not taught them to the people, nor had them kept them themselves. They had taught that salvation came by the Law of Moses.  Even though it was expedient that they keep the Law of Moses, he taught them that salvation cannot come by the Law of Moses alone. The law was given to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards Him. He said that due to the hardness of their hearts, they did not understand that salvation comes only through the redemption of God. All down through the ages, prophets had testified that a Messiah would come, He would be oppressed and afflicted and would bring to pass the resurrection of the dead.  Mosiah 13:25-35 "And it came to pass that after Abinadi had made an end of these sayings that he said unto them: Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments?  I say unto you, Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people. And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.  And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God;  Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.  But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come. And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God. For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?  Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?  Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and afflicted?"

In the Old Testament we read a verse that reminds us to keep the commandments of God, not forget His works, and set our hope on Him.  Psalms 78:7 "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and other things we need will be added unto us.  Instead of worrying about where our next meal is coming from, or what we'll have to wear, we need to trust in God.  He feeds the birds of the air, and are we not better than they are?  He clothes the lilies in the field, which are arrayed better than Solomon in all his glory.  So how can we have so little faith as to think He would not take care of us?  Instead of worrying about the future, we can safely trust in the Lord to take care of our needs.  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."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Abinidi continued to teach the people the commandments of God, reiterating the Ten Commandments, as given by Moses.  Mosiah 13:11-24 "And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.  And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth. And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me; And showing 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.  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;  But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;  For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  Thou shalt not kill.  Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's."

In the Old Testament we read that we should remember the works the Lord has done in times past, and meditate upon and talk about all His doings.  Psalms 77:11-12 "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.  I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we hope for and patiently wait for things we cannot see.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  Even when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit intercedes for us through groanings which are not uttered. And if we love God, all things will work together for our good.   Romans 8:25-28 "But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  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."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book o Mormon we read that King Noah was angered by Abinidi's words and ordered that he be done away with. But Abinidi stood forth boldly and warned them not to try to lay their hands on him because he still needed to deliver the message that the Lord had sent him to give to them.  He told them that they were angry with him for telling them the truth, and because he had spoken the word of God to them, they had judged him to be mad. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Abinidi and his face shined.  He spoke with power and authority from God and the people did not dare lay their hands upon him. His words filled them with wonder and amazement and also anger.  He told them that after he delivered his message to them, it wouldn't matter what they did to him because he would be saved.   Mosiah 13:1-10 "And now when the king had heard these words, he said unto his priests: Away with this fellow, and slay him; for what have we to do with him, for he is mad. And they stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on him; but he withstood them, and said unto them: Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time. But I must fulfill the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad. Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord. And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying:  Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities. Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with anger.  But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.  But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come."

In the Old Testament we read that sometimes the wicked and ungodly prosper in this world and seem to have everything they could possibly want.  Sometimes it's easy for us to be envious of them.  But in the end, the wicked will be punished and those who trust in the Lord will be received up into glory.  Psalms 73:3-12, 18-28 " For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to continue in prayer, with thanksgiving. Even with our busy lives and many things we need to do each day, one of the most important things on our to-do lists should be to pray and offer our thanks to God.  Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read a continuation of Abinidi's attempts to preach to King Noah and his false priests. They told Abinidi that they believed salvation came through the law of Moses.  Abinidi acknowledged that they needed to keep the commandments, and mentioned some of the commandments that the Lord had given through Moses, but pointed out that the priests had not obeyed these commandments.  Mosiah 12:30-37 "Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.  And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?  And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses. But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:  I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other God before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath. Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord is our hope and we can trust in Him. Psalms 71:5 "For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet, Sanballat sent a letter to Nehemiah accusing him of rebellion and saying he was building a wall so he could be king, and that he was sending prophets to preach of him at Jerusalem.  Nehemiah responded by saying that no such things as he said had been done and that he was inventing them out of his own mind.  Sometimes we, too, are guilty of jumping to conclusions without having gathered all the facts.  For example, maybe we send an email to a friend who does not respond.  Do we assume they're angry at us for some reason?  Perhaps they're on vacation without access to a computer.  But day after day we allow our negative thoughts to build up, angry at them for ignoring us.  When we don't have all the facts, the mind is often quick to fill in the blanks, and not always accurately.  It is best to wait patiently until we know what's really going on before proceeding to say or do anything that could result in damaging consequences.  And it's best to give people the benefit of the doubt until we find out otherwise. Several years ago I went on a trip to the UK for three weeks. Before I left I arranged for a lady in my ward to substitute for me in teaching my primary class, and also told the primary president about my plans.  When I returned from my vacation I called the lady I'd asked to teach my class, thanked her for teaching,  and told her I'd come over to pick up my lesson manual. She told me that I could come get my manual, but she had not taught my class.  She said that the week after I left there had been a special conference in which the ward boundaries had been changed and my ward had been split three ways.  She was now assigned to a different ward so she hadn't bothered to teach my class. I had to make additional calls to find out that I was still in the same ward and still a primary teacher, but the former primary president who knew about my vacation had been assigned to a different ward and the new primary president was somebody from another ward that I did not know. Apparently when I didn't show up to teach my class she had assumed I was an irresponsible flake and had gone to the bishop and asked him to release me.  However, the bishop was the same bishop I'd had all along and he knew me.  He told the new primary president that I was a very dependable person and that if I hadn't shown up, I must have a good reason.  He refused to release me from my calling. I'll always be grateful to that bishop for giving me the benefit of the doubt, even though he didn't have all the facts.  We need to do the same for others.  Nehemiah 6:6-8 "Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.  And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.  Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Abinidi was brought before the council to be questioned. But Abinidi stood before them with boldness and withstood their questions and confounded them in their words. Abinidi told them that they had perverted the ways of the Lord and had not applied their hearts to understanding the word of God. They claimed to teach the law of Moses, but Abinidi pointed out to them that they had not kept the law of Moses themselves. They had set their hearts on riches and committed whoredoms, and caused the people to commit sin. Their actions had caused the Lord to send him to prophesy against them.  Mosiah 12:18-29 "And it came to pass that they said unto the king: Bring him hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he should be brought before them.  And they began to question him, that they might cross him, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words. And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion;  Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem; The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?  And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?  I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord. Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?  And they said: We teach the law of Moses.  And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?"

In the Old Testament we read that we should be glad and sing for joy.  Psalms 67:4 " O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah."

And going right along with this, a verse with a thought booklet tells us that a cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.  It is true that our attitudes can affect our physical health. When we find ourselves having a terrible day, perhaps taking some time to find some humor will actually turn things around.  Laughter is good for one's emotional and physical health, and can help squelch worry, stress, and frustration.  Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the people were angry with Abinidi because of his prophesies and they carried him bound before King Noah. They told the king that Abinidi spoke lies against him and that his prophesies were in vain. King Noah cast him into prison and called a council together to decide what to do with him.  Mosiah 12:9-17 "And it came to pass that they were angry with him; and they took him and carried him bound before the king, and said unto the king: Behold, we have brought a man before thee who has prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that God will destroy them.  And he also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.  And again, he saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even as a dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and trodden under foot.  And again, he saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land. And he pretendeth the Lord hath spoken it. And he saith all this shall come upon thee except thou repent, and this because of thine iniquities.  And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man? And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and he has prophesied in vain. And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper. Behold, here is the man, we deliver him into thy hands; thou mayest do with him as seemeth thee good.  And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them what he should do with him."

In the Old Testament we read that God is our rock and our salvation.  He will give us strength and we can find refuge in Him. We can trust in Him at all times and pour out our hearts to Him.  Psalms 62:6-8 "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that we may make plans to do this or that, but we don't know if we'll even be alive tomorrow.  Life is like a vapor that appears for a time and then vanishes away.  We need to recognize that we'll only accomplish our plans if it is the Lord's will.  It is in His hands.  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

In the Book of Mormon we read that after two years Abinidi again came among the people, in disguise, prophesying to them that if they didn't repent of their abominations, the Lord would visit them in His anger and slay them or bring them into bondage. The people would suffer sore afflictions, with famine and pestilence and burdens upon their backs. All this would be because of their iniquities and if they still refused to repent, they would be destroyed. But they would leave their records behind.  Mosiah 12:1-8 "And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations.  Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.  And it shall come to pass that the life of king Noah shall be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for he shall know that I am the Lord.  And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long.  Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.  And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also, and devour their grain.  And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence—and all this will I do because of their iniquities and abominations.  And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations. And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this people."

In the Old Testament we read that in the day of judgment the righteous do not need to fear the vengeance of the Lord; they can rejoice, for they will be rewarded.  Psalms 58:10-11 "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell about how we should help and encourage one another and work together.  Things go much more smoothly when there is unity among us and we each do our part and encourage others to do theirs. Sometimes a person riding a horse will use a small whip to keep the horse moving.  Others get the same result by carrying a small leafy branch and brushing it against the horse's flanks, encouraging it to walk steadily along without needless punishment. Instead of being harsh with other people, sometimes all they need are a few kind words, a pat on the back, or a reminder that they are appreciated.   Isaiah 41:6-7 "They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved."

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