Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord told the sons of Mosiah to go forth among the Lamanites.  He told them that they would suffer many afflictions but if they would be patient, He would allow them to be instruments in His hands of bring salvation unto many souls. They separated from each other to go forth and preach, trusting in the Lord. They went forth to preach to a wicked and hardened people. But the Lord had promised them blessings if they would repent.  Alma 17:11-17  "And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.  And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.  And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.  And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.  Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance. Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.  Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and power of God which was given unto him."

In the Old Testament we read that no strangers may enter the sanctuary of the Lord.  Ezekiel 44:6-9 "And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,  In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that a merry heart is good for us, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.  If we can keep a sense of humor about a situation that is otherwise disheartening, it will make a huge difference in our attitude and in our ability to cope with what comes our way.  Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the sons of Mosiah had suffer many tribulations during their journeyings. They had given up their rights to the kingdom in order to preach the word of God. They departed into the wilderness where they fasted and prayed that the Lord would allow them to be an instrument in His hands to bring the Lamanites the truth. The Lord comforted them with His Spirit.  Alma 17:5-10  "Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.  Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their father, Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having refused the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon them, and also this was the minds of the people;  Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and took their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might provide food for themselves while in the wilderness.  And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct. And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted."

In the Old Testament we read that if we'll put away our whoredoms and be ashamed of our iniquities, the Lord will dwell in our midst forever.  Ezekiel 43:9-10 "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that just as a fire goes out if there is no wood to fuel it, so strife goes out if there isn't a talebearer to keep it going. Quarreling will cease if there is not a contentious man fuel it. When wildfires arise, they can spread quickly if there is fuel to keep them going. If deadwood and undergrowth are removed, it can act as a firebreak.  A fire can't spread if there is nothing to burn.  When we're faced with hearing gossip o someone is trying to goad us into an argument, do we add fuel to keep the strife going, or do we act as a firebreak an make sure it spreads no further? Harsh words can cause deep wounds and much damage.  Let's make sure we do our part to prevent, not spread, words that cause hurt and pain.  Proverbs 26 :20-22 "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma met the sons of Mosiah, who had been with him when the angel had appeared unto him.  He was very happy to see them, but what added to his joy was that they were still his brethren in the Lord.  They had a sound understanding of the knowledge of God, having studied the scriptures and given themselves much to fasting and prayer, and had been preaching with power, bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. It's a wonderful thing to meet someone after many years and find that they are still strong in the gospel.  Alma 17:1-4  "And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.  Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.  But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.  And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him."

In the Old Testament we read that the glory of God filled the temple.  Ezekiel 43:2-5 "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.  And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.  And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.  So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of how enemy forces were bearing down upon Israel and all the people and King Saul were very frightened.  The prophet Samuel had given God's instructions--to wait seven days and then Samuel would offer a sacrifice and pray for success in battle.  Well, the seven days passed and Samuel hadn't yet shown up so Saul became impatient.  He decided to take matters into his own hands and offer the sacrifice himself.  No sooner had he done so than Samuel showed up.  He told Saul that he had acted very foolishly because if he had obeyed, the Lord would have established his kingdom upon Israel forever, but now his kingdom would not continue. How often are we like Saul, trusting in our own resources instead of having faith in the Lord and trusting Him? When things look bad in our lives, do we get scared and try to take things into our own hands instead of trusting the Lord to help us?  1 Samuel 13:5-14 "And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.  And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.  And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;  Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.  And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.  But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that priests went forth among the people to teach the Word of God. They taught against all manner of wickedness and taught about the coming of the Son of God, His sufferings and death and resurrection. They taught that He would come to them after His resurrection.  This news was received with great joy and gladness. The Lord poured out His blessings throughout the land. Alma 16:18-21  "Now those priests who did go forth among the people did preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing, plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to be— Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea, holding forth the coming of the Son of God, his sufferings and death, and also the resurrection of the dead.  And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness.  And now after the church had been established throughout all the land—having got the victory over the devil, and the word of God being preached in its purity in all the land, and the Lord pouring out his blessings upon the people—thus ended the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi."

In the Old Testament we read that a heavenly messenger showed Ezekiel in vision a city where the temple is located.  Ezekiel 40:2-5 "In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.  And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.  And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed."

A verse in a thought booklet recounts how Jesus told Satan to get lost because it was commanded that we should worship only the Lord God and serve only Him.  When we're aced with temptations, we can likewise tell Satan to "Get thee hence" and refuse to listen to him!  Matthew 4:10 "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Nephites had peace for three years and Alma and Amulek preached repentance unto the people and the church was established throughout the land. The Lord poured out His Spirit on all the face of the land, preparing the hearts of the people to receive the Word of God so that they could enter into His rest.  Alma 16:12-17  "And the Lamanites did not come again to war against the Nephites until the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And thus for three years did the people of Nephi have continual peace in all the land.  And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews. And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of God, without any respect of persons, continually.  And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all the land. And the establishment of the church became general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the people of the Nephites.  And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—  That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord will make His holy name known among the people of Israel and the heathen shall know that He is the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  Ezekiel 39:7 "So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that when we cry unto the Lord, He will answer us. When we seek His face, will will find Him. He will help us and never leave us nor forsake us. Even if our earthly parents forsake us, the Lord never will.  Psalms 27:7-10 "Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.  Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Zoram and his sons went to Alma, who had the spirit of prophecy, to inquire where to search in the wilderness for the people who had been taken captive by the Lamanites. Alma inquired of the Lord and was able to tell them the place where the Lord would deliver the captives. They were able to rescue those who had been taken captive and drive the Lamanites out of the land.  But all the inhabitants of Ammonihah had been destroyed.  This was a great city which the people had bragged was so great that God could not destroy it.  But it was gone in a single day, left desolate.  The scent of the dead bodies was so great that it could not be inhabited again for many years. This shows that even haughty people who think they're so great that God can't touch them can be wipe out in the blink of an eye.  Alma 16:4-11  "Now it came to pass that the Nephites were desirous to obtain those who had been carried away captive into the wilderness. Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two sons, Lehi and Aha)—now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed over the river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the east side of the river Sidon.  And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and they took their brethren who had been taken captive by the Lamanites, and there was not one soul of them had been lost that were taken captive. And they were brought by their brethren to possess their own lands.  And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.  But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness.  Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they were of the profession of Nehor, who were slain; and their lands remained desolate."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord would cleanse the people of all their filthiness and create in them a new heart and spirit.  They would keep the commandments and the Lord would be their God and they would be His people.  Ezekiel 36:25-28 "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us how the elect of God should behave--full of mercy, kindness, humility, longsuffering, forgiveness, and above all charity, or the pure love of Christ.  The word of Christ should dwell in them and they should admonish one another, doing all things in the name of Jesus and giving thanks unto God.  That's a lot to live up to!  Colossians 3:12-17 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after a period of peace, the Lamanites attacked the city of Ammonihah, killing the inhabitants and taking others captive in the wilderness.  Alma 16:1-3  "And it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, on the fifth day of the second month, there having been much peace in the land of Zarahemla, there having been no wars nor contentions for a certain number of years, even until the fifth day of the second month in the eleventh year, there was a cry of war heard throughout the land.  For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city.  And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the wilderness."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord is the God of the house of Israel and they are His people.  They are the flock of His pasture. Ezekiel 34:30-31 "Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God.  And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God."

A scripture with a thought booklet tell us that the Son of man must suffer many things, be rejected, and slain.  And that on the third day He would be raised from the dead.  All these things were prophesied to happen. Luke 9:22 "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."