Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we read that Eli's own sons were wicked, but the child Samuel ministered before the Lord. His parents would come visit him every year and his mother would bring little coats for him. Eli blessed Hannah and her husband Elkanah and they were able to have three more sons and two daughters. They were greatly blessed for lending their firstborn son to the Lord. When we sacrifice for the Lord, we too are blssed, sometimes beyond what we could have imagined. 1 Sam. 2: 12, 17-21 "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 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."

In the Book of Mormon I read about the great wickedness of the people and how after Alma and Amulek testified plainly unto them about their need for repentance, the majority of them reacted by becoming angry and wanting to destroy the messengers. They lied and twisted the words they had heard. Then they took the people who did believe and burned them, along with the scriptures, in front of Alma and Amulek who had to watch this awful scene. But they did not burn Alma and Amulek because their work was not yet finished. Alma 14: 1-13 "And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures. But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law and also against their lawyers and judges. And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily. But it came to pass that they did not; but they took them and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief judge of the land. And the people went forth and witnessed against them—testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that were in the land; and also testified that there was but one God, and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should not save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma and Amulek. Now this was done before the chief judge of the land. And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell. And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty , and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth; but they reviled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil? And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them, and also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them. And they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire. And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire. And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames. But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory ; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also. And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord truly knows and understands us. There is nothing we can say or do or even think that He is not aware of. And we cannot hide from Him. Anyplace we go, He will find us. Even the darkness shines as daylight to the Lord. Ps. 139: 1-12 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 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

(I'm sending this out early, the night before, because I'll be attending the BYU Women's Conference the next couple of days and won't have time to turn my computer on in the mornings).

In the Old Testament yesterday we read about how the Lord answered Hannah's prayers and gave her a son. Today we read about how she prayed to the Lord in thanks and praise. When the Lord answers our prayers, do we think to thank and praise Him? 1 Sam. 2: 1-2 "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God."

In the Book of Mormon I read Alma's admonishment that we should cast off our sins and not procrastinate our the day of our repentance, but should humble ourselves before God and pray continually that we won't be tempted beyond what we can bear and that we'll be lead by the Holy Ghost. We need to be patient, meek, humble, full of love, and long-suffering. We need to have faith in the Lord and love Him with all our hearts. If we do these things, we'll be lifted up at the last day and enter into the rest of the Lord. Alma 13: 27-29 "And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance; But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Abraham was strong in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. We can well follow his righteous example and have faith the the Lord will fulfill His promises and we can safely trust in Him. Rom. 4: 20-21 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."

Daily Thoughts

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how Hannah prayed unto the Lord for a child. Eli the priest, who witnessed her prayer, told her to go in peace, that the Lord would grant her petition. After this she was no longer sad and was able to eat. This shows that she had faith! And indeed, she was able to conceive and brought forth a son, naming him Samuel. After he was weaned, she brought him to the house of the Lord and took him to Eli, lending him to the Lord's service for as long as he lived. When we pray, do we have faith that our prayers will be answered--enough so that we're no longer sad over the things that are troubling us? And do we give our thanks unto the Lord when He answers our prayers? Hannah provides a wonderful example of these things. 1 Sam. 1:17-20, 24-28 "Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. 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 worshipped the Lord there."

In the Book of Mormon I read that after the people were sancified by the Holy Ghost and had their garments made spotless before God, they could not look upon sin except with abhorrence. Does sin sometimes look enticing to us? If we truly are humble and repentant, sin will seem abhorrent to us, which indeed it is. Wickedness never was happiness and only by living the gospel will we find eternal joy and be able to enter into the rest of the Lord. Alma 13: 12-13 "Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God. And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to rejoice evermore. How do we do that? The verses following give us some clues--we need to pray always give thanks in all things. A grateful heart is a happy heart and if we're constantly expressing our thanks to the Lord, we'll find much more joy in life. 1 Thes. 5: 16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we read that Hannah was childless and was so grieved over this fact that she wept and would not eat. She took her tribulations to the Lord, praying to Him in the bitterness of her soul, as she wept sore. When we have problems that are distressing us and tearing at our hearts, do we likewise turn to the Lord? 1 Sam. 1: 8-10 "Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore."

In the Book of Mormon we're told that it is the plan of redemption that if we'll repent of our sins and not harden our hearts, the Lord will have mercy on us and we'll receive a remission of our sins through the atonement of the Only Begotten, and we'll be able to enter into our rest. However, this will not be possible if we harden our hearts and persist in doiing iniquity. Alma 12: 33-35 "But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son; Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest."

Some verses with a thought booklet demonstrate how we can turn to the Lord in times of trouble and distress. He will have mercy upon us to forgive us for our sins and comfort us when we're suffering pain and afflictions. Ps. 25: 16-18 "Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Boaz married Ruth and she bore a son. This son would later be an ancester of Jesus Christ. Ruth, with all her faithfulnes to her mother in law, was greatly blessed by the Lord. Ruth 4: 13 "So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son."

In the Book of Mormon I read that the mysteries of God are revealed to those who do not harden their hearts, but those who do harden their hearts are given only a portion of the word until they know nothing concerning the mysteries of God and are lead captive by the devil. Alma 12: 10-11 "And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God can enlarge our steps under us so that our feet don't slip. If we rely on the Lord to help us, He can guide our steps and keep us from stumbling and falling in our walk through life. Ps. 18: 36 "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read how Boaz took notice of Ruth's devotion to her mother in law. He told her the Lord would reward her for her faithfulness. 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 the Book of Mormon I read that Jesus Christ came into the world to provide redeption to His people. He took their sins upon Him so that they could be forgiven, if they would be willing to repent of their sins. However, for the wicked who refuse to repent, it's as if there had been no redemption made. Jesus Christ also opened the door for the resurrection of the deaqd. This will come to all regardless of it they are righteous or wicked. All will be raised from the dead and not so much as a hair on their head will be lost. Alma 11: 40-45 "And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is cone Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God's way is perfect, His word has been tried, and He is a buckler for all those who trust in Him. What is a buckler? According to the Bible Dictionary, it is a shield. So if we put our trust in God, He will be a shield to us. Ps. 18: 30 "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read the words of Ruth as she told her mother in law that she would not leave her but would lodge where she would lodge and make her people to be her own. She would stay with her and nothing but death would part them. This is a wonderful example of love and loyalty. 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 the Book of Mormon I read about how the people's wickedness was ripening them for destruction. In fact, if was only because of the prayers of the righteous among them that they were being spared. And they were warned by Amulek that if they should cast out the righteous from among them, the Lord would not stay His hand. This just made the people more angry with Amulek, who told them that they had allowed Satan to get great hold upon their hearts, to blind their eyes so they could not understand the truth when it was spoken to them. It is very sad indeed when people allow Satan to take hold of their hearts so that they have no understanding of the truth even when it is spoken plainly unto them. Alma 10: 22-25 "Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword. But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent. And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected. But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken, according to their truth?"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that our faith is more precious than gold when tried with fire. We need to come through trials and challenges to make our faith strong and prove ourselves. Cashmere wool is very expensive. It's made from the down of goats who live in some of the most inhospitable places in the world. The worse the climate and the harsher the conditions they live in, the better their coats are. Many years ago some sweater makers tried relocating their goats to a more mild climate and the results were that their goats stopped growing their valuable wool. We need trials and tribulations to make us strong! 1 Pet. 1: 7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"