In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that says many people became hardened because of the great length of the war between the Lamanites and Nephites. However, many others had their hearts softened because of their afflictions which humbled them and turned to to the Lord for help. I've noticed this about people I've seen. Some people become bitter and angry and turn from God when trials come into their lives. Others, turn to the Lord and seek His help in dealing with their tribulations. The choice is ours. Difficult things come into everyone's lives at some point. The question is--when we're faced with trials, are we going to turn toward the Lord or away from Him? 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."
Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how Hannah gave her much longed for son to the Lord for His service, just as she promised that she would do. Eli blessed her and her husband that she would conceive and bare other children. She subsequently had three more sons and two daughters. And her son Samuel grew before the Lord. When we give our all to the Lord, we are richly blessed. 1 Samuel 2:20-21 "And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that we need to be humble and teachable like a little child in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If we think we know all the answers and are strong enough to manage on our own without God's help, we are in for a rude awakening! Matthew 18:3-4 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon, Pahoran talks about how he would not shed blood if the Lamanites would stay in their own land and his brethren would not rise up in rebellion and take up their swords against them. He said he would subject himself to bondage if that was the will of the Lord. But the Lord had not commanded him to be in bondage, but rather to resist evil and dissensions, even with the sword if necessary. When engaging in just battles, we need to trust in the Lord and He will deliver us. Alma 61: 10-14 "And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land. We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us. We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do. But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us. Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God."
In the Old Testament we read an example of how the Lord answers sincere prayers. Hannah was very sorrowful because she was childless. She prayed to the Lord in the bitterness of her soul, weeping and promising that if the Lord would give her a child, she would give him to the Lord. The Lord answered her prayer and she bore a son. The Lord doesn't always answer our prayers the way we might want, but He does hear and answer our prayers in the way that is best for us. If we make promises to the Lord, we need to make sure we keep them. Hannah had promised to give her son to the Lord if He would allow her to have a child. He answered her request and when her child was weaned, she took him to Eli and said she was lending him to the Lord for as long as he lived. 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 20, 24-28 "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us we can cast all our cares upon the Lord, for He cares for us. What a comfort this is. We don't have to face our problems alone--the Lord loves us and will help us get through whatever trials we may face. 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
In the Old Testament we read an example of how the Lord answers sincere prayers. Hannah was very sorrowful because she was childless. She prayed to the Lord in the bitterness of her soul, weeping and promising that if the Lord would give her a child, she would give him to the Lord. The Lord answered her prayer and she bore a son. The Lord doesn't always answer our prayers the way we might want, but He does hear and answer our prayers in the way that is best for us. If we make promises to the Lord, we need to make sure we keep them. Hannah had promised to give her son to the Lord if He would allow her to have a child. He answered her request and when her child was weaned, she took him to Eli and said she was lending him to the Lord for as long as he lived. 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 20, 24-28 "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us we can cast all our cares upon the Lord, for He cares for us. What a comfort this is. We don't have to face our problems alone--the Lord loves us and will help us get through whatever trials we may face. 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read the reaction of Pahoran to being unjustly censured by Moroni and accused of doing things he was not guilty of. He was not angry, but still found the good in Moroni. When we're unjustly accused, can we look past it and still see the good in the person who misjudged us? Can we freely forgive them? Pahoran is a great example of this. 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."
In the Old Testament I read about how Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, having heard about how she left her home and family to follow her mother in law. He told Ruth that the Lord was recompensing her work and giving her a reward. We can safely trust in the Lord. Ruth 2:10-12 "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read about how Naaman needed to learn humility on his quest to be healed of his leprosy. He went to the prophet to be healed and expected to be treated like royalty. Instead, the prophet didn't even come out personally to greet him but instead sent a servant out to talk to him. And then the servant asked him to go dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Weren't there greater rivers than that back home? His initial reaction was to go off in a huff. But then his own servants talked sense into him, and he was able to humble himself enough to do what he'd been told to do--and the result was that he was healed! Sometimes we're not asked to do some great and important thing, but rather something simple and mundane. Will we be humble enough to do whatever it is that's been asked of us or will we go off in a huff, thinking we're too good for something like that? 2 Kings 5:9-14 "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
In the Old Testament I read about how Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, having heard about how she left her home and family to follow her mother in law. He told Ruth that the Lord was recompensing her work and giving her a reward. We can safely trust in the Lord. Ruth 2:10-12 "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read about how Naaman needed to learn humility on his quest to be healed of his leprosy. He went to the prophet to be healed and expected to be treated like royalty. Instead, the prophet didn't even come out personally to greet him but instead sent a servant out to talk to him. And then the servant asked him to go dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Weren't there greater rivers than that back home? His initial reaction was to go off in a huff. But then his own servants talked sense into him, and he was able to humble himself enough to do what he'd been told to do--and the result was that he was healed! Sometimes we're not asked to do some great and important thing, but rather something simple and mundane. Will we be humble enough to do whatever it is that's been asked of us or will we go off in a huff, thinking we're too good for something like that? 2 Kings 5:9-14 "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we've been reading Moroni's epistle to Pahoran and how he chastised him for his great neglect and wickedness. Today we read Pahoran's reply back to Moroni in which he explains that he takes no joy in their sufferings but has not been able to help because wicked men have taken over the government and caused a great rebellion. Alma 61:1-7 "Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he received: I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous. And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you. And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get. And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle."
In the Old Testament we read the touching words of Ruth to her mother in law Naomi, which show such devotion and loyalty. She is willing to follow Naomi back to her homeland and says that Naomi's people will become her people and Naomi's God, her God. She says nothing but death will separate them. Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of how a servant girl was able to be a missionary to her master, by suggesting to his wife that he go to the prophet to be healed of his leprosy. If anyone had an excuse not to be used by God, it was this girl. She had been captured by the enemy, taken from her home and family and was a stranger in the land in which she was a slave. Going through all that, she could have excused herself from being compassionate as to her master's disease and problems. But she cared. She wanted to help. And she testified about a prophet of the living God who could help him. Can we follow her example to be instruments of God's compassion, healing, and hope to bring light into the lives of others? Even people who have hurt us? 2 Kings 5:1-6 "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."
In the Old Testament we read the touching words of Ruth to her mother in law Naomi, which show such devotion and loyalty. She is willing to follow Naomi back to her homeland and says that Naomi's people will become her people and Naomi's God, her God. She says nothing but death will separate them. Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of how a servant girl was able to be a missionary to her master, by suggesting to his wife that he go to the prophet to be healed of his leprosy. If anyone had an excuse not to be used by God, it was this girl. She had been captured by the enemy, taken from her home and family and was a stranger in the land in which she was a slave. Going through all that, she could have excused herself from being compassionate as to her master's disease and problems. But she cared. She wanted to help. And she testified about a prophet of the living God who could help him. Can we follow her example to be instruments of God's compassion, healing, and hope to bring light into the lives of others? Even people who have hurt us? 2 Kings 5:1-6 "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."
Friday, December 30, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon, continuing on with Moroni's epistle to Pahoran, Moroni continues to chasten him for neglecting to send food and supplies, thus resulting in much suffering and loss. Moroni threatens Pahoran with destruction if he doesn't repent of his iniquities and start helping and giving support. Alma 60:20-31 "Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies? Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us? Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government. And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them— And this because of their exceeding faith, and their patience in their tribulations— And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct. Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss. Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction. Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom. For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people."
In the Old Testament we read about how a man was traveling and did not want to spend the night in a city of the Jebusites, who were strangers, but rather chose to continue on so he could spend the night in Gibeah, with the children of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin. What he found there were wicked men who abused a concubine all night long until she died. How very sad that people who have the gospel and would be expected to be righteous are more wicked than those without the gospel would have been. Judges 19:11-12, 25-28 "And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or in fire, but rather spoke in a still, small voice. Often this is the way the Lord speaks to us--not in some loud, dramatic way that shouts at us, but in a still, small voice that we have to carefully listen for and be quiet so we can hear. 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
In the Old Testament we read about how a man was traveling and did not want to spend the night in a city of the Jebusites, who were strangers, but rather chose to continue on so he could spend the night in Gibeah, with the children of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin. What he found there were wicked men who abused a concubine all night long until she died. How very sad that people who have the gospel and would be expected to be righteous are more wicked than those without the gospel would have been. Judges 19:11-12, 25-28 "And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or in fire, but rather spoke in a still, small voice. Often this is the way the Lord speaks to us--not in some loud, dramatic way that shouts at us, but in a still, small voice that we have to carefully listen for and be quiet so we can hear. 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read an epistle that Moroni wrote to Pahoran recounting the great suffering of the people and accusing Pahoran of great neglect in withholding needed help and supplies. Alma 60:3-10 "And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind. But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain. But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state. Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren— Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword. But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them. And now, my beloved brethren—for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings—"
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Dan took Micah's priest and graven images and set up idolatry. Judges 18:18-20, 30-31 "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."
A verse from a thought booklet relates how Jesus healed a woman, telling her to go in peace because her faith had made her well. Likewise, the Lord can heal us if we have faith--not just of physical ills but of spiritual ones as well. Mark 5:34 "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Dan took Micah's priest and graven images and set up idolatry. Judges 18:18-20, 30-31 "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."
A verse from a thought booklet relates how Jesus healed a woman, telling her to go in peace because her faith had made her well. Likewise, the Lord can heal us if we have faith--not just of physical ills but of spiritual ones as well. Mark 5:34 "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that the people poured out their souls in prayer to God, that He would give them strength and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. He visited them with assurances that He would deliver them and spoke peace to their souls. What a great blessing it is to us when we can turn to the Lord in prayer and He speaks peace to our souls, reassuring us that everything will be all right. Alma 58:10-11 "Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."
In the Old Testament we see an example of the folly of trusting the wrong people, as Sampson trusted Delilah with the secret of his strength and she betrayed him, resulting in him being taken prisoner by the Philistines and having his eyes put out. Judges 16:15-21 "And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet I read the story about how the prophet Elijah called forth rain to end the drought. However, it didn't come immediately. He kept sending his servant to check for any signs of clouds. Six times the servant checked and there was nothing. But the seventh time he reported that he saw a little cloud the size of a man's hand. Soon the heavens were black with clouds and the wind and great rain came! Sometimes this is the way our prayers are answered. Not immediately. Not as soon as we might like. But if we continue to have faith, first there's a small sign that things are beginning to happen, and then we receive all the abundant blessings we ever hoped for. 1 Kings 18:41-45 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel."
In the Old Testament we see an example of the folly of trusting the wrong people, as Sampson trusted Delilah with the secret of his strength and she betrayed him, resulting in him being taken prisoner by the Philistines and having his eyes put out. Judges 16:15-21 "And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet I read the story about how the prophet Elijah called forth rain to end the drought. However, it didn't come immediately. He kept sending his servant to check for any signs of clouds. Six times the servant checked and there was nothing. But the seventh time he reported that he saw a little cloud the size of a man's hand. Soon the heavens were black with clouds and the wind and great rain came! Sometimes this is the way our prayers are answered. Not immediately. Not as soon as we might like. But if we continue to have faith, first there's a small sign that things are beginning to happen, and then we receive all the abundant blessings we ever hoped for. 1 Kings 18:41-45 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel."
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