Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read a verse that says it's just as ridiculous to strive with our Maker as it is for a pot to question the pot maker who made it. Isa. 45: 9 "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?"

In the Book of Mormon I read that even though the people became prosperous, they were not lifted up in pride and they remembered that the Lord had delivered them from their enemies and from their afflictions. They continually prayed to the Lord and thanked Him for all His blessings. Alma 62: 49-51 "But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; ne Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land."


Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish us to hold fast to our unwavering faith and assemble ourselves together, exhorting one another and provoking one another unto love and good works. It's important to meet together with other believers and support and encourage one another--one more reason to attend church on a weekly basis. Heb. 10: 22-25 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
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Daily Thoughts

A verse from the Old Testament tell us that will blot out our transgressions and remember our sins no more. Isa. 43: 25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that says that because of the length of the war, many hardened their hearts. But due to the same reasons, many others were softened. Their afflictions had humbled them and caused them to turn to the Lord for help. I've seen this among people I know as well. Sometimes trials and tribulations will cause people to become bitter and angry and turn from God. But I've seen the same trials and afflictions cause other people to humble themselves and turn to God for support. It isn't so much what happens to us that makes us the people that we are, but it's our response to it that makes or breaks us. Alma 62: 41 "But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility."

I read some verses with a thought booklet that remind us to press forward toward our goals, not worrying about the past but continuing on to those things we want to attain. The thought that went with this, written by Shirley M. Corder from Eastern Cape, South Africa says: Recovering from an aggressive tussle with cancer treatment, I sat on a beach overlooking the sea. At my feet, multitudes of black ants scurried around in seeming chaos. One tiny ant, burdened by a dead insect at least ten times its size raced from the pack. It weaved across the grass, around weeds and over tufts. No matter what stood in its way, it kept moving forward. When a gust of wind blew it backwards, the ant adjusted its load and resumed its journey. After several minutes and many setbacks, it reached a tiny hole and disappeared from view. I marveled at how it had persevered until it reached its nest. I compared myself to that little ant. The goal of total health seemed so far away. Just as I made some progress, I felt blown backwards. Many times I felt tempted to give up. It seemed easier to say, "This is too hard. Maybe I'm not meant to do it." I laughed aloud at the realization that a tiny little creature I would never see again had taught me a valuable lesson: "Pick yourself up, redistribute your burden, and take the next step forward." Lord God, thank you that you will never give me a burden to carry that is beyond my ability. Please help me to perservere and not give up. Philip. 3: 13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament are some verses that tell us we have no need to fear for the Lord will be with us through whatever difficulties we have to pass through. Isa. 43: 1-2 "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

In the Book of Mormon I read that there was much war, bloodshed, contention, famine and affliction for many years. There was all manner of iniquity among the people. However, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared. Alma 62: 39-40 "And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years. And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the righteous' sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to put God first in our lives, and everything else seems to fall into place. Matt. 6: 33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we're told that idols are nothing, and they bring confusion and vanity. Isa. 41: 29 "Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion."

In the Book of Mormon we read Pahoran's response to an epistle he received from Moroni in which Moroni had unjustly accused Pahoran of doing things he had not done. How do we react when we're falsely accused of doing things we're not guilty of? Do we become angry? Or are we as quick to forgive as Pahoran was? Can we still see the good in the person who misjudged us? Paharon serves as a wonderful example to us in this matter. Alma 61: 9 "And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free."

A verse with a thought booklet instructs us to lay aside the weight of every sin that easily besets us and with patience run the race that is before us. Think of our lives as running a race and going down a pathway toward eternal life. And think of our sins as burdens or weights that we must carry as we're trying to run this race. The more sins we're carrying on our backs, the harder the race will be. Why not cast off those extra weights, through repentance, so we can be free to run the race of life unencumbered? Heb. 12: 1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we're told that we need not fear for the Lord will be with us, helping us and strenghening us. He'll uphold us with His hand. Isa. 41: 10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."


In the Book of Mormon it tells us that the Lord won't suffer that we can live and wax strong in our iniquities while seeking to destroy His rightoues people. Alma 60: 31 "For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. We are here today, but there are no guarantees we will be here tomorrow. This is why we need to make the most of our time here on earth. Each moment is a gift and we should realize how valuable it is and take full advantage of it. James 4: 14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that those who wait upon the Lord will have their strength renewed--they'll run and not be weary and walk and not faint. Isa. 40: 31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

In the Book of Mormon I read how the Nephites had faith and they trusted God, that He would deliver them from their enemies, notwithstanding the weakness of their armies. Indeed, all the armies and weapons in the world will not protect us as much as faith and trust in God will. Alma 58: 37 "But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies."

Some verses from a thought booklet tell us we can learn much from watching animals and the earth. We can know that the every living thing is in the hands of the Lord, including the breath of all mankind. Job 12: 7-10 "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that grass may wither away and flowers fade, but the word of God will stand forever. The institute manual elaborates on this. It says: The metaphors the prophets drew from the land of Canaan had poignant spiritual messages. The spring rains, called the "latter rains" fall through April and May. During these rains the grass springs up in Israel as a spontaneous, green carpet" over the land in such abundance and splendor that it seems it could never fail. Within a very short time the rains end, however, and the fierce summer heat turns the grass brown almost overnight. It simply seems to disappear across the barren hills. The withered, lifeless grass was the metaphor Isaiah chose to describe the wicked whose ways seem to be so attractive to the world but cannot endure long. Only those sanctified of the Lord will withstand the glory of His coming, for the wicked will be as the dried grass before a blazing fire. Isa. 40: 7-8 "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."


In the Book of Mormon I read that the people were once again delivered out of the hands of their enemies be cause of the goodness of God who preserved them. They were very grateful that He had done this great thing for them. Alma 57: 35-36 "And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us. Now it came to pass that when I, Helaman, had heard these words of Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of God in preserving us, that we might not all perish; yea, and I trust that the souls of them who have been slain have entered into the rest of their God."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell about how Jesus' disciples rebuked the little children who wanted to come unto Jesus, but this displeased Jesus. He welcomed the little children to come unto Him and He blessed them. He said we should all become as little children, humble and teachable, if we expect to enter into the Kingdom of God. Mark 10: 13-16 "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
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