Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that because the Lord does not want the people destroyed, he sent his angel to visit his people and declare repentance unto them. The Lord is full of patience and mercy and is quick to hear the cries of His people and answer their prayers. He comes to redeem those who have been baptized unto repentance through faith on His name. Men will receive a reward for their words, according to how they have lived their lives.  Alma 9:25-29 "And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;  And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.  And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.  Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.  Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people."

In the Old Testament we read that judgment and destruction would come upon the people of various cities.  Jeremiah 49:2-13 "Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord. Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together. Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?  Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.  And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord. Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?  Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.  If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.  But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.  Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me. For thus saith the Lord; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.  For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  The rich man wore fancy clothing and lived lavishly.  On the other hand, Lazarus was very poor and had to beg for crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. He was full of sores that the dogs would lick.  Then they both died and he poor beggar was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.  On the other had, the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell, being in torment.  He could see Lazarus and pleaded with Abraham for mercy. But Abraham reminded him of the luxurious life he had lived and how Lazarus had suffered. From this we learn that inequalities in this life will be made up for in the next, and that if we're living lives of sin, we need to repent now. Maybe you don't relate to the rich man because you don't think you're rich.  But all you need to do is visit a third world country and see the way many people in the world live to realize how rich you are.  You have a nice home to live in, plenty of food to eat, clothing for all seasons, a car to get you around, clean water to drink, and lots of conveniences. Compared to millions of people living in underdeveloped countries, we are rich! What are you doing to help the poor?  Whatever we do to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, we're doing unto Christ.   Luke 16:19-26 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."

----------------------------

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord had blessed the people greatly, delivering them from their enemies and saving them from sickness and famine. If they fell away after all that had been given to them, their state would be worse than that of the Lamanites. If they would rebel, they would be utterly destroyed.  Alma 9:22-24 "Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things— And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.  For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?"

In the Old Testament we read a verse that says that because the people trusted in their works and treasures instead of trusting in the Lord, they would be taken into captivity.  Jeremiah 48:7 "For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together."

Going right along with the idea of trusting in worldly things instead of in the Lord, some scriptures with a thought booklet recount the story of the rich fool.  He had so much that he thought he'd need to build bigger barns to hold it all.  He had so many worldly goods he thought he could take his ease and spend the rest of his days eating,  drinking and being merry. But what a fool he was! That very night he suddenly died and then all his worldly goods would belong to someone else.  They would do him no good in the next life.  This is what happens to people who have worldly treasures, but are not rich toward God. We all need to examine our own lives. Do we trust money and status for our security and leave God out of the picture?  If so, we are fools!  Luke 12:15-21 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

-------------------------------------

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that there are many promises extended to the Lamanites, who had been deceived because of the traditions of their fathers. If at some time they repent and turn to the Lord, the Lord will be merciful to them. But if the Nephites refused to repent, they would meet with utter destruction. It is worse to fall into sin after having so much light and knowledge, even having revelation and the ministering of angels.  Alma 9:16-21 "For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.  And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name.  But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord.  For he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities, to destroy his people. I say unto you, Nay; he would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all his people who are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their God;  Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come; Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;"

In the Old Testament we read Jeremiah's prophesy about the desolation and destruction that would come upon the Philistines.  Jeremiah 47:1-7 "The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.  Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.  At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;  Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?  O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.  How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us to serve the Lord with gladness and singing.  We are His people.  We need to be thankful unto Him and bless His name.  Psalms 100:1-5 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read how Alma reminded the people of the great things the Lord had done for their fathers. He told the people that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed. But if hey would keep the commandments, they would prosper in the land. He said that if they would not repent, it would be more tolerable for the Lamanites than them in the day of judgment.  Alma 9:9-15 "Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness? And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?  Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.  Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger he will not turn away.  Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have been cut off from the presence of the Lord. Now we see that the word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land.  Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent."

In the Old Testament we read the reaction of the people to Jeremiah's prophesies.  They rebelliously stated that they would not listen to him. Instead, they would do whatever they pleased, including burning incense to the queen of heaven, and giving offerings to her.  Jeremiah 44:15-17 "Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,  As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.  But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil."

Some verses with a thought booklet are a great contrast to this, words of a faithful person who wants to obey the commandments and is seeking the Lord with all their hearts, delighting in His statutes, and never forgetting His word.  This is the attitude we all need to emulate.  Psalms 119:10-16 "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma and Amulek went forth to preach among the people.  But the people were hard hearted, stiff necked, and did not understand their words. The people tried to lay hands on him but could not, and Alma went forth with boldness in declaring the word of the Lord unto them and telling them that they had forgotten the commandments of God.  Alma 9:1-8 "And again, I, Alma, having been commanded of God that I should take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying:  Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth should pass away? Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away. And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day.  Now they knew not that God could do such marvelous works, for they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people. And they said: Who is God, that sendeth no more authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?  And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold, they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto them, yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:  Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God."

In the Old Testament we read that the people decided they wanted to go to Egypt to escape war and famine and pestilence, but the Lord commanded them not to go to Egypt and told them that if they disobeyed, all the things they were going to Egypt to escape would follow them there.  Sometimes we use our own judgment to do things that logically seem like a good idea.  But if those things have been forbidden by the Lord, they will not turn out well for us.  We need to obey what the Lord commands, even if we can't see the logic in it.  Jeremiah 42:13-22 "But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the Lord your God,  Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:  And now therefore hear the word of the Lord, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;  Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.  So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.  For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more. The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you. Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that all of us have different talents and skills that can be used to bless others and build up the Kingdom of God.  Just like different parts of the body have different uses but are all necessary, so are members of the church, all different but all necessary.  Just because we may not be good at preaching or singing doesn't mean the Lord hasn't blessed us with a special talent that is very needed.  One woman had a talent of being able to encourage others.  With a smile or a hug or a kind word, she could change the tone of another person's day. I've been given the gift of being able to type quickly, which I use to take notes in church meetings to distribute to homebound people who cannot attend. What special gift has God given you to bless the lives of others?  Romans 12:3-8 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

 

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that unfortunately, the people had become more and more wicked. The Lord told Alma to have Amulek also go and preach repentance unto the people. Alma and Amulek, both filled with the Spirit, went forth and preached to the people. No one had power to slay them.  Alma 8:28-32 "And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in their iniquities. And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away. And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.  And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them. And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which the Lord had given them."

In the Old Testament we read that the Lord told the people that they did not need to fear the King of Babylon, for the Lord would be with them and save them out of his hand.  Indeed, none of us need to fear anyone if we have the Lord on our side. Jeremiah 42:11 "Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that if it isn't true that Christ rose from the dead, then our faith is in vain, we remain in our sins, and we are of all men most miserable. But Christ did rise from the dead, and through Him, all shall be made alive.  He put all enemies under His feet and the last enemy to be destroyed is death.  1 Corinthians 15:12-26 " Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

Daily Thoughs

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Alma had eaten at Amulek's house he introduced himself as the high priest over the church. He explained that he had been called to preach throughout the land, but had previously been rejected by the people and had left, thinking he'd never come back.  However, the Lord had other ideas and commanded him to come back. Alma stayed with Amulek for many days before he began preaching to the people again.  he told Amulek that he would be blessed for the care he had given him.  Alma 8:23-27 "And after he had eaten and was filled he said unto Amulek: I am Alma, and am the high priest over the church of God throughout the land.  And behold, I have been called to preach the word of God among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy; and I was in this land and they would not receive me, but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this land forever.  But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against them concerning their iniquities.  And now, Amulek, because thou hast fed me and taken me in, thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted many days. And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people."

In the Old Testament we read that because the people did not like what Jeremiah prophesied, they cast him into a muddy dungeon.  Jeremiah 38:1-6 "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,  Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.  Thus saith the Lord, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.  Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.  Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord will not leave us comfortless, but will come to us.  John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."