Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that rather than stain their swords with the blood of their brethren, they chose to bury them in the earth. They would rather be slain than to kill those who fought against them, knowing that they would go to their God and be saved.  Alma 24:13-18 "Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.  And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.  Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby.  And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.  And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands."

In the Old Testament we read that we can sing and rejoice for the Lord will come and dwell in our midst.  Zechariah 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord."

Some verses with a thought booklet give a plea to the Lord to teach us His law and give us understanding and we will keep His commandments with all our hearts and delight in them. Do we actually delight in the commandments of God and want to keep them with all our hearts?  Do we pray for the Lord to give us understanding of them?  Psalms 119:33-35 "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when Ammon and his brethren saw that the Lamanites were making preparations to destroy the people of God, they held a counsel with Lamoni and his brother about what they should do to defend themselves. However, none of the people who had been converted unto the Lord would take up arms to defend themselves. And they refused to make preparations for war.  They had become convinced of their sins and the many murders they had committed.  They had repented and been forgiven. And now that their stains had been taken away by the Lord, they refused to stain their swords again with the blood of their brethren.  Alma 24:5-12 "Now when Ammon and his brethren and all those who had come up with him saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammon met all his brethren; and from thence they came to the land of Ishmael that they might hold a council with Lamoni and also with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites. Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.  Now, these are the words which he said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked fathers.  And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.  And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed.  And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son.  And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain—  Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord called Zechariah to preach repentance unto the people.  Even though their fathers had sinned to the point that the Lord was displeased with them, they were not to follow the example of their father, but rather they should turn away from their evil deeds and turn unto the Lord and hearken unto Him.  Zechariah 1:1-4 "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.  Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.  Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us tat sometimes when we've gone astray and are not keeping the commandments of God, it takes going through afflictions to humble us enough to turn to Him and turn our lives around so we're more obedient.  So sometimes going through trials and tribulations can be a blessing to us to help us get back on the right path.  Psalms 119:67, 71 "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that all those who had not been converted were stirred up to anger against their brethren.  In fact their hatred toward them became so great that they rose up in rebellion against their king and made preparations for war. The king died and his son became king.  Alma 24:1-4 "And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and also in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren. And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even insomuch that they began to rebel against their king, insomuch that they would not that he should be their king; therefore, they took up arms against the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  Now the king conferred the kingdom upon his son, and he called his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  And the king died in that selfsame year that the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of God."

In the Old Testament we read a verse that simply tells us that we need to consider our ways.  This is something we should all do--take a good, hard look at our lives and see if we're doing what we should be doing.  Have you considered your ways today?  Haggai 1:7 "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways."

Some verses with a thought booklet describe how we can become new people in Christ--awaking out of sleep and casting off the works o darkness, putting on the armor of light and walking honestly in the day.  Romans 13:11-14 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read the Amalekites and Amulonites hardened their hearts and would not accept the gospel, but the Lamanites in certain cities were converted and became friendly with the Nephites.  They no longer wanted to be called Lamanites and went by the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  Alma 23: 14-18 "And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, and also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all their cities.  Therefore, we have named all the cities of the Lamanites in which they did repent and come to the knowledge of the truth, and were converted.  And now it came to pass that the king and those who were converted were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren; therefore the king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests, concerning the name that they should take upon them, that they might be distinguished.  And it came to pass that they called their names Anti-Nephi-Lehies; and they were called by this name and were no more called Lamanites.  And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them."

In the Old Testament we read that the earth will be filled with knowledge about God and His glory, as the waters cover the sea.  Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the Word of the Lord will comfort us in our afflictions.  Psalms 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Lamoni sent forth his proclamation, Aaron and his brothers went from city to city preaching the gospel and establishing churches. Thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord. Those who were converted never did fall away. They became a righteous people and lay down the weapons of their rebellion.   Alma 23:4-13  "And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success.  And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time.  And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.  For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lord: The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmael;  And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Middoni;  And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of Nephi;  And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom.  And these are the names of the cities of the Lamanites which were converted unto the Lord; and these are they that laid down the weapons of their rebellion, yea, all their weapons of war; and they were all Lamanites."

In the Old Testament we're told that if we look unto the Lord and wait for Him, He will hear us.  Micah 7:7 "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that even though the Lord sometimes gives us adversity and affliction, He will teach us and instruct us about which way to go and what path o take.  We can learn and grow from the difficult experiences we are called upon to pass through. There are things we can learn only in the valleys of life, and that is the place where we can come to know God most intimately.  Isaiah 30:20-21 "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that King Lamoni sent a proclamation throughout the land stating that Aaron and his brothers should be free to preach the gospel to the people without being harmed.   Alma 23:1-3 "Behold, now it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation among all his people, that they should not lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor either of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their land. Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries. And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout the land unto his people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness."

In the Old Testament we read that in spite of all His goodness to them, the people have not served the Lord in spirit and in truth.  They must act righteously, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him.  Micah 6:3-8 "O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.  For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.  O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Some verses with a thought booklet say that cursed will be a person who departs from the Lord and who trusts in other men and the arm of flesh. He will be like a health in the desert, in a parched place in the wilderness.  However, blessed will be a person who trusts in the Lord and hopes in Him.  He is likened to a tree with deep roots planted by the waters of a river, who yields fruit even in times of drought. If our roots run deep in Christ, we don't need to fear the trials and tribulations that will come our way.  If we trust in Him, our lives will still bear fruit and we'll be able to survive and thrive.  Jeremiah 17:5-8 "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.  For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read an explanation of the lands where the Lamanites and the Nephites lived.  Alma 22: 28-35 "Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephi; yea, and also on the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders by the seashore, and on the west in the land of Nephi, in the place of their fathers' first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the seashore. And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful.  And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation, it being so far northward that it came into the land which had been peopled and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla, it being the place of their first landing.  And they came from there up into the south wilderness. Thus the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward was called Bountiful, it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind, a part of which had come from the land northward for food. And now, it was only the distance of a day and a half's journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land Desolation, from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward.  And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea, and thus the Nephites in their wisdom, with their guards and their armies, had hemmed in the Lamanites on the south, that thereby they should have no more possession on the north, that they might not overrun the land northward.  Therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only in the land of Nephi, and the wilderness round about. Now this was wisdom in the Nephites—as the Lamanites were an enemy to them, they would not suffer their afflictions on every hand, and also that they might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires.  And now I, after having said this, return again to the account of Ammon and Aaron, Omner and Himni, and their brethren."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord will not hear the cries of those who have behaved themselves ill in their doings, and He will hide His face from them.  If we want the Lord to hear our prayers, we need to keep His commandments.  Micah 3:4 "Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recount how the Lord tested the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years.  He took care of them with manna to eat and kept their clothing from wearing out.  He provided for their needs and lead them to the promised land.  Then needed to remember Him and all He'd done for them, and keep His commandments.  Deuteronomy 8:1-10 "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.  And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.  For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;  A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.  When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."