Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read there was a great battle between the Gentiles in the promised land and their mother Gentiles, but God was with the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity and delivered them from other nations.  1 Nephi 13:17-19 "And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them. And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.  And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations."

 

In the Old Testament we read that Aaron and his sons were to be washed, anointed, and consecrated to minister in the priest's office.  Exodus 29:1, 4-9 "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.  And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.  And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read the story of two different people who came to Jesus.  One was Simon a Pharisee who was spiritually interested and wanted to learn more about what Jesus taught. The other was a woman who had lived a life of sin and came to Jesus weeping and wiping his feet with her hair, kissing them and pouring perfume on them. Simon was shocked that Jesus would allow this sinful woman to approach Him, but Jesus was willing to forgive her of her sins and was accepting of her repentance.  Jesus asked Simon who would love a forgiving creditor more, someone who had owed him little or someone who had owed him much.  He then explained that this sinful woman had been forgiven for many sins so she loved Him very much. Meeting Jesus spiritually changed this woman, but we don't hear of any great spiritual change that took place in Simon. Which one of these two people can we most relate to? Do we tend to take greater notice of our own sins or those of other people?  Luke 7:36-50 "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.  And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that many waters separated the Gentiles from the seed of Nephi's brethren.  But the Spirit of God wrought upon a man among the Gentiles and then other Gentiles to come to the promised land.  The wrath of God was upon the seed of Nephi's brethren so they were scattered and smitten before the Gentiles, who prospered in the land.  They were humble before God and His power was with them.   1 Nephi 13:10- 16 "And it came to pass that I looked and beheld many waters; and they divided the Gentiles from the seed of my brethren. And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Behold the wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren. And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.  And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters. And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.  And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them."

In the Old Testament we read that Aaron and his sons were to be consecrated and anointed to minister in the office priests.  Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of Jesus appearing to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.  Now keep in mind that this was after Peter had denied Jesus three times.  It's interesting to note that Jesus did not seem angry with Peter, nor did He ignore him.  Peter had failed miserably in abandoning Jesus in His darkest hour, but Jesus performs a miracle for Peter and the other disciples by asking them to cast their net on the right side of the ship, which results in a huge catch of fish. Then Jesus invites them to have breakfast with Him, a gesture of friendship.  Finally there comes a crucial part of the story where Jesus addresses Peter's three-time denial of Him by asking him three times if he loves Him.  Peter is able to three times affirm that he does indeed love Jesus, and is instructed to show that love by feeding Jesus' sheep.  Even when we mess up and make mistakes, Jesus wants us to come unto Him. He wants us to do better and welcomes us with open arms if we're willing to repent.  John 21:1-19 "After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.  Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read about the gold and silver and riches of the world, and how the people sought for the praise of the world and sought to destroy the saints of God.  1 Nephi 13:7- 9 "And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.  And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity."

In the Old Testament we read that a light was to always burn in the tabernacle of the congregation. Aaron and his sons were commanded to keep it in order, from evening to morning.  Exodus 27: 20-21 "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.  In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel."

Some verses with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus called some of His disciples.  They were busily going about their daily business, whether fishing or in a ship mending nets, but when Jesus called to them to come follow Him, they immediately left when they were doing and followed Him. It's interesting to see ho these calls came.  Usually when we apply for a job we fill out an application and go through an interview process.  Then if the employer decides that we qualify for the job, we're hired.  If not, we continue our job search.  But that isn't the process that the Lord uses.  He calks us.  And even if we don't fit the qualifications, if we're willing to accept, He helps us do what He needs us to do. Often we argue that we don't have the time or somebody else would do a better job.  But instead of excuses, the Lord wants people who will drop whatever they're doing and simply follow Him. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, and the others, they didn't argue, make excuses, or whine.  They left their daily work behind and followed Him. Immediately.  How willing would we be to drop our jobs or other daily activities and immediately go where the Lord calls us? We can learn much from these disciples who choose to walk with the Master.  Matthew 4:18-22 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I continued to read about the visions of Nephi and how he saw the nations of the Gentiles and a great and abominable church which was founded by the devil and which killed the tortured the saints of God.  1 Nephi 13:1-6 "And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms.  And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said: I behold many nations and kingdoms. And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.  And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.  And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord told Moses to come up into the Mount where He would give him tables of stone on which would be written commandments and laws, so Moses could teach them to the people. Moses did go up to the mount and the glory of the Lord abode there. Moses was in the mount 40 days and 40 nights. Exodus 24:12, 15-18 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.  And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.  And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us something that is pretty obvious--the Lord does not take pleasure in wickedness!  In fact, those who do evil will not be able to dwell with Him.  Psalms 5:4 "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the large and spacious building that Lehi saw in his dream represented the vain imaginations and pride of the children of men. Nephi then saw wars and contentions between his seed and the seed of his brothers.  He saw his seed dwindle in unbelief and become a dark and loathsome and filthy people full of abominations. 1 Nephi 12:18-23 "And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever. And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed. And it came to pass that I beheld, and saw the people of the seed of my brethren that they had overcome my seed; and they went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land.  And I saw them gathered together in multitudes; and I saw wars and rumors of wars among them; and in wars and rumors of wars I saw many generations pass away.  And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief. And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations."

In the Old Testament we read that if our enemy needs help, we should help him.  We should not withhold kindness even from those who hate us.  Exodus 23:4-5 "If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that if we keep our minds steadfast on the Lord, trusting in Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. If we're feeling troubled or afraid, or are having difficulty sleeping, we can think on the Lord and place our trust in Him and He can help us find the peace we seek.  Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the fountain of filthy water that Lehi saw represented the depths of hell, and the mists of darkness represented the temptations of the devil which blinds the eyes and hardens the hearts of the children of men and leads them away onto broad paths that lead to destruction where they perish and are lost. 1 Nephi 12:16-17 "And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the river of which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell. And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost."

In the Old Testament we read that we should not vex or oppress a stranger, remembering that the children of Israel were strangers in the land of Israel.  Or, putting this to apply in our own time, we should not be unkind to people who have immigrated here from other countries, remembering that our own ancestors likewise probably came from foreign countries.  Exodus 22:21 "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

In some verses with a thought booklet we're told that no matter where we go, we are not outside the reach of God.  His hand will lead us and hold us fast.  That means that whether we're in darkness or light, God can be with us.  It doesn't matter if we're at the peak of the highest mountain or in the depth of the deepest cave, we are not outside the reach of God.  Psalms 139:9-12 "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read three generations pass away in righteousness, having their garments made white by the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in Him. Many in the fourth generation also passed away in righteousness, but then they gathered to battle against one another.    1 Nephi 12:11-15 "And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him. And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness.  And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together.  And the angel said unto me: Behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my brethren; and they were gathered together to battle."

In the Old Testament we read the Lord's commandment that we should not covet.  This is a commandment that benefits us more than anybody else.  If we're content with what we have instead of wishing we had things that other people had, our lives will be much happier.  Some people are never satisfied no matter how much they have because they always want more.  Let's be grateful for what we have, and thank the Lord for it, instead of worrying about things we don't have.  Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."

In a verse with a thought booklet we're told to be still and know that He is God.  In our busy, noisy lives it's sometimes easy to become distracted and not be attune to the Spirit's whisperings.  But when we take time to pray, study God's words, ponder, and just be still, that is when we can come to feel God's presence in our lives.  Psalms 46:10 " Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."