Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Mormon begins to write in the sacred records, as instructed by Ammaron. When Mormon was only 10 years old, Ammaron told him to wait until he was 24 and then go find where he had hidden the plates and take them and begin writing on them the things he observed among the people.  Mormon 1:1-5 "And now I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon.  And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;  Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people.  And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people.  And I, Mormon, being a descendant of Nephi, (and my father's name was Mormon) I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me."

In the Old Testament, Joshua recounted to the children of Israel all the wonderful things the Lord had done for them, including bringing them out of the land of Egypt and opening up the Red Sea for them, and helping them defeat their enemies so they could take possession of the promised land.  After all these marvelous things the Lord had done for them, would they choose to serve Him, or would they choose to serve the false gods of the people of the land?  Joshua firmly stated that as for him and his house, he would serve the Lord!  What will our choice be?  Joshua 24:1-15 "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.  And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.  And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.  And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.  I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.  And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.  And when they cried unto the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you. Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:  But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.  And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.  And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.  And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the familiar story of Mary and Martha.  One sister, Martha,  was very busy with her household responsibilities and serving, while Mary sat at Jesus feet listening to Him.  Martha complained that Mary was lazy while she was doing all the work.  But Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the best thing.  Sometimes we might get very busy with our lives, doing lots of activities and involved in many things.  But are we neglecting the best things, such as studying the Word of God?  Taking time to get to know the Lord can be choosing the best thing.  Luke 10:38-42 "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the wicked people began to build up secret combinations.  Even the people who had been righteous began to set their hearts on the things of the world and become like their brethren. The disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world. The robbers of Gadianton spread over the face of the land until there were none left who were righteous except the three disciples of Jesus. Those who had kept the sacred records passed away one by one until 320 years had passed since the coming of Christ. Ammaron, being constrained by the Holy Ghost, hid up the records unto the Lord.  4 Nephi 1:42-49 "And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton.  And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites.  And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world.  And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another.  And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic.  And it came to pass that after three hundred and five years had passed away, (and the people did still remain in wickedness) Amos died; and his brother, Ammaron, did keep the record in his stead.  And it came to pass that when three hundred and twenty years had passed away, Ammaron, being constrained by the Holy Ghost, did hide up the records which were sacred—yea, even all the sacred records which had been handed down from generation to generation, which were sacred—even until the three hundred and twentieth year from the coming of Christ.  And he did hide them up unto the Lord, that they might come again unto the remnant of the house of Jacob, according to the prophecies and the promises of the Lord. And thus is the end of the record of Ammaron."

In the Old Testament we read that when we obey the Lord with exactness, He gives us great blessings.  When the Israelites were keeping the commandments the Lord helped them overcome their enemies.  One of them could make a thousand of their enemies take flight. The Lord had fulfilled every promise He had made. But if they turned from the Lord and allowed wickedness to take root, the Lord would no longer go to bat for them. If they decided to worship other gods, the Lord would be furious and quickly remove them from the fertile land He'd given them.  Joshua 23:6-16 "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.  For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.  One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.  Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.  Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:  Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you.  And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.  Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet show the vanity of placing our trust in the riches of the world.  We can have so much money that we think we're set for life--that we can just sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labors.  But for all we know, we could die tonight and everything we're accumulated will be given to someone else.  Instead we need to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven that can never be taken away from us.  Luke 12:15-21 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that there was a great division among the people. Some were true followers of Christ and others rebellled against the gospel and dwindled in unbelief. As the years passed, the wicked part of the people grew more and more numerous. They built up churches unto themselves and set their hearts upon the things of the world.  4 Nephi 1:35-41 "And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the two hundred and thirty and first year, there was a great division among the people. And it came to pass that in this year there arose a people who were called the Nephites, and they were true believers in Christ; and among them there were those who were called by the Lamanites—Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites;  Therefore the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ, (among whom were the three disciples of Jesus who should tarry) were called Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites.  And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers, from the beginning, did dwindle.  And it was because of the wickedness and abomination of their fathers, even as it was in the beginning. And they were taught to hate the children of God, even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.  And it came to pass that two hundred and forty and four years had passed away, and thus were the affairs of the people. And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong, and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of God.  And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves, and adorn them with all manner of precious things. And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away, and also two hundred and sixty years."

In the Old Testament we read that we need to obey the Lord's commandments with exactness and to love the Lord with all our hearts, walk in His ways, and serve Him with all we have.  Joshua 22:5 "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

A verse with a thought booklet says that happy is he that has the Lord for his help, and whose hope is in the Lord God. If we want to be happy, we need to place our trust in the Lord and turn to Him to help and guide us.   Psalms 146:5 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:"

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Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that those who belonged to the true church of Christ were persecuted because of their humility and their belief in Christ. They were despised because of the many miracles which occurred among them. The three disciples of Jesus who tarried were cast into prison, but could not be held there.  They continued to go forth performing mighty miracles. But in spite of the miracles, the people hardened their hearts and still wanted to kill them. But no matter what they did to them, they received no harm. The people continued to harden their hearts and dwindled in unbelief.  4 Nephi 1:29-34 "And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.  Therefore they did exercise power and authority over the disciples of Jesus who did tarry with them, and they did cast them into prison; but by the power of the word of God, which was in them, the prisons were rent in twain, and they went forth doing mighty miracles among them.  Nevertheless, and notwithstanding all these miracles, the people did harden their hearts, and did seek to kill them, even as the Jews at Jerusalem sought to kill Jesus, according to his word.  And they did cast them into furnaces of fire, and they came forth receiving no harm.  And they also cast them into dens of wild beasts, and they did play with the wild beasts even as a child with a lamb; and they did come forth from among them, receiving no harm.  Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for they were led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. And they did smite upon the people of Jesus; but the people of Jesus did not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundred and thirty years had passed away."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord fulfilled all His promises to the children of Israel and did everything for them that He covenanted to do.  He gave them all the land that He'd pledged to them and they were able to settle there.  The Lord gave them rest from surrounding danger and gave all their enemies into their power. Not one of all the good things the Lord promised them failed to happen.  The Lord keeps His word! Joshua 21:43-45 "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.  And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.  There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."

Some verses with a thought booklet recount how Israel, while serving hard time in exile, felt that God had forsaken them.  However, God repsonded by using the image of a mother nursing her infant.  It's outrageous to imagine a caring mother forgetting her own newborn child.  But it's even more unthinkable to imagine God forgetting His children.  God's incredible love for us is even more tender than a mother's love for her nursing baby.  Isaiah 49:14-15 "But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the people multiplied and became rich.  They began to have pride and set their hearts upon the things of the world. They began to be divided up into different classes, the richer people thinking they were better than the poorer ones.  They quit having all things in common among them. They began to deny the true church of Christ. There began to be many churches in the land who professed to know Christ, but denied His gospel. Satan got great hold on the hearts of the people.  4 Nephi 1:23-28 "And now I, Mormon, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity in Christ.  And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.  And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.  And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.  And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts."

In the Old Testament we read that refuge cities were set up so that if somebody accidentally killed someone else, they could flee to those cities of refuge and be safe from a relative of the victim who was seeing revenge.  Joshua 20:1-4 " The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,  Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them."

Some verses with a thought booklet admonish us to hearken to the Lord.  Sometimes teenagers think they know it all and that their parents are old fashioned and out of touch with reality.  They refuse to listen to a thing their parents have to say. Are we like this with the Lord?  Do we think we know it all and don't need the guidance and direction the Lord is lovingly trying to give us?  Isaiah 51:4,7 "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."


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Daily Thoughts Saturday

In the Book of Mormon we read that the years went by and various people who kept the records died, leaving others to keep the records instead. At first there was still peace in the land, but then a few people revolted from the church and took upon themselves the name of Lamanite.  4 Nephi 1:19-22 "And it came to pass that Nephi, he that kept this last record, (and he kept it upon the plates of Nephi) died, and his son Amos kept it in his stead; and he kept it upon the plates of Nephi also.  And he kept it eighty and four years, and there was still peace in the land, save it were a small part of the people who had revolted from the church and taken upon them the name of Lamanites; therefore there began to be Lamanites again in the land.  And it came to pass that Amos died also, (and it was an hundred and ninety and four years from the coming of Christ) and his son Amos kept the record in his stead; and he also kept it upon the plates of Nephi; and it was also written in the book of Nephi, which is this book.  And it came to pass that two hundred years had passed away; and the second generation had all passed away save it were a few."

In the Old Testament we read that when the tribe of Joseph complained that the land they'd been given was too small for them, Joshua told them to expand by going up to the forest and clearing ground for themselves in the land of the Perizzites and giants. But the people of Joseph pointed out that the Canaanites had iron chariots, implying that they'd be difficult to defeat and drive out of the land.  But Joshua told them that the land would belong to them and they'd be able to remove the Canaanites in spite of their strength and iron chariots.  We need to remember that when we have the Lord helping us, we can do whatever He tells us to do, even if it looks difficult or impossible.  Joshua 17:14-18 "And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto?  And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.  And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Beth-shean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.  And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:  But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong."

A verse with a thought booklet says that those who err in spirit should come to understanding that those who murmur and complain should learn true doctrine. How often do we grumble and complain instead of appreciating all the blessings the Lord has pour out upon us.  The story is told of a little girl who was upset and pouting because her friends didn't give her the gifts she wanted at her birthday party. Her mother pointed out to her that she was blessed with a home to live in, food to eat, and family and friends who loved her enough to give her a birthday party. She continued to pout.  Her mother took a picture of her pouting face. That little girl is now grown and she keeps that pouting picture as a reminder of her mother's wise words and how silly it is to pout about what we think we want instead of appreciating the blessings the Lord has given us. Isaiah 29:24 "They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine."

Daily Thoughts Friday

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Nephites and the Lamanites are all converted unto the Lord.  They had all things in common, work miracles, and prosper in the land. They had no contention because the love of God dwelt in the hearts of the people. There has never been a happier people! They were all united and there was no evil among them.  4 Nephi 1:1-18 "And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.  And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.  And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.  And it came to pass that the thirty and seventh year passed away also, and there still continued to be peace in the land.  And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus.  And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, and also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away.  And the Lord did prosper them exceedingly in the land; yea, insomuch that they did build cities again where there had been cities burned.  Yea, even that great city Zarahemla did they cause to be built again.  But there were many cities which had been sunk, and waters came up in the stead thereof; therefore these cities could not be renewed. And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.  And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.  And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.  And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.  And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away.  And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.  And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.  There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.  And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land."

In the Old Testament we read that the children of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim) received their legacy, determined by lot.  Joshua 16:1-4 "And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,  And goeth out from Beth-el to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth, And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Beth-horon the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.  So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance."

Some verses with a thought booklet give us instructions on how to pray.  We need to find a quiet place to be alone when we pray, not in front of everybody to make a show out of the fact that we are praying.  And instead of using vain repetitions, thinking we'll be heard for our long-windedness, we need to pray from our hearts, speaking as a child would speak to a loving father.  We need to remember that the Lord always has time for us, and always has time to listen to our prayers.  Matthew 6:5-8 "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."