In the Old Testament I read about how after Jacob died, they embalmed him and mourned over him. Then they carried him to the land of Caanan to be buried, as he had requested. After burying their father, they returned to the land of Egypt. Gen. 50: 1-7, 13-14 "And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel. And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear. And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father."

In the D&C I read some verses that talk about putting on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to withstand evil, and shield ourselves from the fiery darts of the wicked. We need to prepare ourselves to stand, armed with the whole armor of God, and the Lord will pour His Spirit out upon us, give us answers to our prayers, and we'll be able to come unto Him and dwell where He does. D&C 27: 15-18 "Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to wait patiently on Lord and He will hear our cries. He will deliver us out of a horrible pit of miry clay and set our feet upon a rock. There can be no firmer foundation upon which to base our lives than that of the Lord. Ps. 40: 1-2 "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

In the Old Testament I read about how Israel blessed his children and told them he wanted to be buried in the land of Canaan with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. After he finished commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into his bed and died. Gen. 49: 28-33 "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people."

In the D&C I read a familiar verse that tells us the importance of music. The Lord's soul delights in the songs of the heart and when the righteous sing, it is like a prayer unto God which will be answered upon their heads. D&C 25: 12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord will forgive our sins and heal our illnesses. He'll redeem us from destruction and crown us with tender mercies and loving kindness. What wonderful blessings these are! Ps. 103: 2-5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

In the Old Testament I read about how Israel blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, but crossed his hands over so that the younger child was blessed with his right hand. Joseph tried to stop him and explain to him which child was the elder, but Israel said he was aware of it but was giving them the blessings that were right for them. Even though Manasseh would also be a great nation, Ephraim was set before him. Gen. 48: 14-20 "And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day. The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."

In the D&C we're told to be patient in our afflictions for we'll have many. But if we endure them well, the Lord will be with us to the end of our days. What a great promise this is! Everyone has afflictions in their lives (some more than others) but our job is to endure them well and seek strength from the Lord to help us endure them well. We don't have to face our troubles alone. God will be with us. D&C 24: 8 "Be apatient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that baptism symbolizes the death of our old sinful selves. As we're lowered down into the water it's like burying our old selves, the death of our former sinfulness. And as we're raised up out of the water, it's like being resurrected and beginning a new life. This is why baptism by immersion is so important. Being completely covered in water and then coming forth out of the water provides the symbolism of the death of our old natures and the new life we're coming forth into. Rom. 6: 3-11 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin bonce: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

In the Old Testament I read about the emotional meeting of Joseph and his father, when he fell on his neck and wept. You can just imagine how his father must have felt seeing Joseph alive after thinking he was dead and mourning so deeply his loss. Gen. 46: 29-31 "And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;"

In the D&C I read about how the church needed to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord gave through the prophet Joseph Smith. The same could be said of us today--that we need to listen to the words of our present prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He can warn us of pitfalls in our modern world that we need to avoid and instruct us in ways that the Lord would have us live. By listening to his counsel, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. D&C 21: 4-6 "Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory."

Some verses with a thought booklet emphasize the importance of baptism. Indeed, we need to be born again of water (baptism) and of the Spirit (receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost) in order to enter into the Kingdom of God. These ordinances are essential to our salvation. John 3: 3-5 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

In the Old Testament I read about how Jacob and his sons travel to Egypt to be with Joseph. Gen. 46: 5-6, "And Jacob arose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:"

In the D&C I read that in order to be saved we need to be baptized and then endure in faith to the end. We need to come to our baptism with humble hearts, having truly repented of our sins. These things are necessary not only for the people who lived in Jesus' day but also all those who lived prior to that time, who believed in the words of the prophets who prophesied of Christ, and also for all the people who lived after the time of Christ, which includes all of us. D&C 20: 25-27, 37 "That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved— Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life, As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son; And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."

A verse in a thought booklet gives us great advice about how to be a good friend. We need to share in the joys and sorrows of others. We should rejoice with them when they're happy and mourn with them when they're sad. Rom. 12: 15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

In the Old Testament I read about Joseph making himself known to his brothers. He forgives them for selling him into slavery and tells them to forgive themselves as well. He says the hand of the Lord was behind it and that it prepared the way for them to be saved from the famine. Sometimes even great tribulations can turn into blessings. Gen. 45: 1-8 "Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."

In the D&C I read that the holy scriptures are true and given by the inspiration of God and that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can know that there is a God, infinite and eternal, that He created the heaven and the earth, and that He created us after His image. And He gave us commandments that we should love and serve Him. D&C 20: 11-12, 17-19 "Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them; And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them; And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship."

Some verses with a thought booklet warn us that if we're prideful and have a haughty spirit, we will fall. It's better to have a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov. 16: 18-19 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

In the Old Testament I read about the brothers returning to Egypt. Again, they bow down before him, just like in his dream. Joseph made inquiry about his father. When he sees his brother Benjamin he is so overcome with emotion that he weeps. Gen. 43: 27-31 "And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread."

In the D&C I read some verses that emphasize the importance of prayer. We're commanded to pray out loud as well as in our hearts, in public as well as it private, and if we pray always the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon us and give us great blessings--even greater blessings than if we can obtains the treasures of the earth. There are blessings far greater than worldly wealth and the key to receiving them is through humble and sincere and constant prayer. D&C 19: 28, 38 "And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private. Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that when we preach about Jesus Christ and His atonement on the cross it can seem like foolishness to the world. It doesn't make sense to them that the suffering and death of a man 2,000 years ago can provide a way for them to be forgiven for their sins now. But to those of us with faith, this means salvation through the power of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than men. 1 Cor. 1: 18, 25 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."