Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ammon and his brethren had a joyous meeting with Alma, who took them to his own house.  They recounted to the chief judge everything that had happened with the Lamanites and explained the situation with the Anti-Nephi-Lehis. The people tok a vote about what to do with them and it was decided that they should be allowed to dwell in the land of Jershon, and that their armies would protect them, since they did not want to take up arms because of their sore repentance. Alma 27:15-23 "And it came to pass that Ammon said unto them: Behold, I and my brethren will go forth into the land of Zarahemla, and ye shall remain here until we return; and we will try the hearts of our brethren, whether they will that ye shall come into their land.  And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.  Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.  Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.  Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was truly great, and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength.  And now it came to pass that Alma conducted his brethren back to the land of Zarahemla; even to his own house. And they went and told the chief judge all the things that had happened unto them in the land of Nephi, among their brethren, the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance. And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land Jershon; and this we do for our brethren, on account of their fear to take up arms against their brethren lest they should commit sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and their awful wickedness."

In the New Testament, Jesus beckons us to come unto Him.  If we are struggling and carrying heavy loads, He will give us rest.  We need to put on His yoke and learn of Him.  He is gentle and humble and His yoke is easy to bear. Matthew 11:25-30 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Romans 8:35, 38-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when the Lamanites who had gone to war against the Nephites saw that it was in vain to see their destruction, they returned to the land of Nephi. When the hard hearted Amalekites saw that they couldn't seek revenge against the Nephites, they turned their anger toward the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. But the Anti-Nephi-Lehis refused to take up arms to defend themselves. Ammon and his brethren were moved to compassion when they saw this. When Ammon inquired of the Lord, the Lord told him to get the people out of the land to preserve them.  Alma 27:1-14 "Now it came to pass that when those Lamanites who had gone to war against the Nephites had found, after their many struggles to destroy them, that it was in vain to seek their destruction, they returned again to the land of Nephi. And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of their loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they could not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the people in anger against their brethren, the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi; therefore they began again to destroy them. Now this people again refused to take their arms, and they suffered themselves to be slain according to the desires of their enemies. Now when Ammon and his brethren saw this work of destruction among those whom they so dearly beloved, and among those who had so dearly beloved them—for they were treated as though they were angels sent from God to save them from everlasting destruction—therefore, when Ammon and his brethren saw this great work of destruction, they were moved with compassion, and they said unto the king:  Let us gather together this people of the Lord, and let us go down to the land of Zarahemla to our brethren the Nephites, and flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not destroyed. But the king said unto them: Behold, the Nephites will destroy us, because of the many murders and sins we have committed against them.  And Ammon said: I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go?  And the king said unto him: Yea, if the Lord saith unto us go, we will go down unto our brethren, and we will be their slaves until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we have committed against them. But Ammon said unto him: It is against the law of our brethren, which was established by my father, that there should be any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon the mercies of our brethren.  But the king said unto him: Inquire of the Lord, and if he saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the land.  And it came to pass that Ammon went and inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said unto him:  Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this people in this generation, for I will preserve them.  And now it came to pass that Ammon went and told the king all the words which the Lord had said unto him.  And they gathered together all their people, yea, all the people of the Lord, and did gather together all their flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness which divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land."

In the New Testament we read about how Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.  When He saw the crowds of people, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-36 "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that help comes from the Lord.  He made heaven and earth and never slumbers nor sleeps.  He will provide us with what we need and will preserve our souls.  When we need help, we need to look up to Him. Although we may encounter problems and challenges in our lives, we can gain great comfort knowing that God is our keeper and will be there for us through it all.  Psalms 121:1-8 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ammon's joy caused him to boast in his God and praise Him with thanksgiving forever.  Alma 26: 35-37 "Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.  Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.  Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen." 

In the New Testament we read accounts of Jesus healing many people, which was a fulfillment of prophesies by Isaiah hundreds of years earlier.  Matthew 8:14-17 "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that rather that glory in wisdom, might and riches, we should glory in he Lord who exercises loving kindness and righteousness. Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Ammon recounted how when he'd been discouraged and wanted to give up, the Lord had strengthened him and helped him bear his afflictions with patience. They had gone forth to preach to the Lamanites, in spite of being persecuted and suffering all manner of afflictions, because they wanted to be the means of saving some soul. And now they could look upon the fruits of their labors and see how the people who had been converted loved others and would rather be slain than take the life of someone else.  Alma 26: 27-34 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.  And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.  And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us. For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.  And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites. For behold, they would take up arms against their brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But behold how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred to sin."

In the New Testament we read that it's not enough to love our neighbor but hate our enemy.  We need to also love our enemies and do good to those who treat us unkindly. Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive and we should labor to support the weak.  Acts 20:35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read how when Ammon and his brethren had told those in Zarahemla that they were going to preach to the Lamanites, they had laughed them to scorn. They had pointed out how stiffnecked the people were and about the gross iniquities they were guilty of. They suggested it would be better to destroy them.  But Ammon did not want to destroy them, he wanted to try to save their souls.   Alma 26: 23-26 "Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto our brethren in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of Nephi, to preach unto our brethren, the Lamanites, and they laughed us to scorn?  For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language. And moreover they did say: Let us take up arms against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest they overrun us and destroy us. But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls."

In the New Testament we read that it's not enough to merely not be guilty of murder.  We also need to avoid becoming angry with others, or calling them names.  Matthew 5:21-22 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." 

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to lay not up for ourselves the treasures of the earth which do not last, but rather lay up treasures in heaven which thieves cannot steal and which will not rust or deteriorate. The story is told of a little boy who saw hail for the first time. Since he had no experience with hail, he didn't know what it was.  He thought it was diamonds falling from the sky.  So he gathered a lot of it up into a pile and then went running to his brothers and sisters to tell they they were rich!  But when he went back to the pile of "diamonds" he had gathered they found only a melted puddle.  He was very disappointed.  So will we be disappointed if we place our trust in the wealth of this world which will fade away just like that little boy's "diamonds" did.  Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read how Ammon recounted how they had got about trying to destroy the church, but the Lord in His mercy had brought salvation to their souls.  Toe who repent, exercise faith, pray, and have good works will have the mysteries of God revealed to them.  Alma 26: 18-22 "Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.  Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.  And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.  Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."

In the New Testament we read about how Jesus called some of His disciples.  They were busy with their everyday work--casting fishing nets into the sea or in a boat repairing nets.  Jesus called them to come follow Him.  They did not hesitate.  They left when that were doing and immediately followed Him.  How promptly and unhesitatingly do we do what the Lord calls us to do?  Are we willing to interrupt what we're doing and change our plans?  Notice when Jesus called His disciples, they weren't just sitting around doing nothing, waiting for something to occupy their time.  Calls to serve don't come at convenient times when we have nothing better to do.  The time to serve whenever we're called, whenever there is a need, whenever we receive a prompting.  Are we willing to follow the examples of Peter, Andrew, James and John and come follow Him straight way?  Matthew 4:18-22 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.   And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the things that God has prepared for those who love Him are greater than we've ever seen, heard, or even imagined!  1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that if Ammon and his brethren had not come from the land of Zarahemla, the Lamanites they'd be able to help bring to the Lord would still have hated them and they would have remained strangers. Aaron rebuked Ammon, saying his joy was carrying him into boasting. Ammon told him he was not rejoicing in his own strength, but was rejoicing in the Lord.  Miracles had been wrought and thousands had been loosed from the pains of hell. This is reason to praise God forevermore. Who can glory too much in the Lord? Alma 26: 9-17 "For if we had not come up out of the land of Zarahemla, these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us, would still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they would also have been strangers to God.  And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.  But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?  Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.  Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.  Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?"

In the New Testament we read about how Joseph was warned in a dream to take his wife Mary and the baby Jesus and flee into Egypt, thus escaping having the baby killed by the wicked Herod. Sometimes the Lord speaks to us by dreams, sometimes by a still small voice, sometimes by impressions that come into our minds.  But no matter how these promptings come, we need to listen and obey, just as Joseph did.  Matthew 2:13-15 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." 

A verse with  thought booklet warns those who are rich in worldly wealth not be arrogant or proud, nor put their trust in their money which is uncertain, but to put their hope and trust in God. Worldly fortunes can be wiped out in an instant, so no matter how much money we accumulate, it cannot offer us the security we can have by trusting in the Lord. He can help us get through anything, and we can depend on Him. And remember:  on judgment day all your wealth and worldly possessions will be worth nothing--the only thing that will matter will be your relationship with the Lord.  1 Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"

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