In the Book of Mormon I read that after we have been sanctified by the Holy Ghost and have been made pure and spotless before God, we won't be able to look at sin except with abhorrence. Sin will no longer hold allure for us or be tempting--it will disgust us to even think about committing sin. In order to get to this state of mind, we need to humble ourselves before God and repent of our sins. 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."
In the Old Testament I read that the Lord loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Him with loving kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
In the Old Testament we read that the Lord brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt and He was their God. He told them that they should be holy as He is holy. We, too, need to become like Him and follow Him. Leviticus 11:45 "For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that we will be judged not only by our actions, but also by our words and even our thoughts. What we think, say and do will stand against us at the judgment day and we will not be able to hide from God. Alma 12:14-15 "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance."
In the Old Testament we read that Aaron blessed the people and offered sacrifices to the Lord. The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and a fire from the Lord came down and consumed the burnt offerings upon the altar. What a marvelous manifestation of God's power! Leviticus 9: 22-24 "And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."
A verse in a thought booklet tells us what to do when we are afraid--trust in the Lord! Psalms 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
In the Old Testament we read that Aaron blessed the people and offered sacrifices to the Lord. The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and a fire from the Lord came down and consumed the burnt offerings upon the altar. What a marvelous manifestation of God's power! Leviticus 9: 22-24 "And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."
A verse in a thought booklet tells us what to do when we are afraid--trust in the Lord! Psalms 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that those who harden their hearts against the Word of God will have a lesser portion of the Word until they will know nothing concerning the things of God and will be lead captive by the devil and go down into destruction. But he will will not harden his heart against the things of God, will receive more light and knowledge until they understand the mysteries of God. 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."
In the Old Testament we read that Moses took anointing oil and anointed and sanctified the tabernacle, the altar and all its vessels, and Aaron himself. Leviticus 8:10-12 "And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and gave His life a ransom for many. We may not be called upon to give our lives like He did, but we can seek for ways to serve others and be sensitive to ways we can help them. Instead of worrying about how others serve us, we need to be looking for ways to serve them. Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
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In the Old Testament we read that Moses took anointing oil and anointed and sanctified the tabernacle, the altar and all its vessels, and Aaron himself. Leviticus 8:10-12 "And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and gave His life a ransom for many. We may not be called upon to give our lives like He did, but we can seek for ways to serve others and be sensitive to ways we can help them. Instead of worrying about how others serve us, we need to be looking for ways to serve them. Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that Christ died for us so that if we're willing to repent and believe on Him, we can be forgiven for our sins and obtain eternal life. However, those who remain in their wickedness still stand condemned before God. However, everyone will have the bands of death broken and will be resurrected. This happens to both the righteous and the wicked. 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 one 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."
In the Old Testament we're told that if we are guilty of a sin, we need to try to make restitution to the best of our ability. Leviticus 6:1-5 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us how to treat people with various problems or difficulties. If they're unruly, we warn them. If they're faint-hearted or despondent, we try to comfort, console and encourage them. If they're weak, doubting or timid, we show patience toward them. If they treat us unkindly, we don't give them the same in return but rather do good to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
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In the Old Testament we're told that if we are guilty of a sin, we need to try to make restitution to the best of our ability. Leviticus 6:1-5 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us how to treat people with various problems or difficulties. If they're unruly, we warn them. If they're faint-hearted or despondent, we try to comfort, console and encourage them. If they're weak, doubting or timid, we show patience toward them. If they treat us unkindly, we don't give them the same in return but rather do good to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that the lawyers tried to stir up people to anger against Alma and Amulek so they would bring lawsuits against them and they'd have more work to do and thus make more money. They didn't care about truth, they only cared about money. One of the lawyers, Zeezrom, tried to bribe Amulek into saying there was no God. But the Lord revealed this plot to him so he was able to tell what Zeezrom was up to. Alma 11:20-25 "Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek. And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek: Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you? And Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. And Zeezrom said unto him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being. Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations? Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre more than him. And now thou hast lied before God unto me. Thou saidst unto me—Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee—when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward."
In the Old Testament we read that if we're guilty of sin, we need to confess it. In order to repent, we need to admit that we're done wrong. Leviticus 5:5 "And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:"
Some verses with a thought booklet are a plea for the Lord to hear our prayers and not hide His face from us during times of trouble, but to answer speedily when we call. Psalms 102: 1-2 "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily."
In the Old Testament we read that if we're guilty of sin, we need to confess it. In order to repent, we need to admit that we're done wrong. Leviticus 5:5 "And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:"
Some verses with a thought booklet are a plea for the Lord to hear our prayers and not hide His face from us during times of trouble, but to answer speedily when we call. Psalms 102: 1-2 "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily."
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about how Amulek withstood the angry people who cried out against him and reviled him. He told them that they were a wicked and perverse generation and that they had yielded themselves to the devil and given him power over them, to blind their eyes so that they could not understand the words of truth which were spoken to them. Alma 10: 24-25 "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?"
In the Old Testament we read that the Lord commanded the people, through Moses, to offer sacrifices of male animals without blemish. This was in similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which would be made in the meridian of time. Jesus Christ was a male without blemish. Leviticus 1:1-3 "And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that there are many different kinds of spiritual gifts and different people are blessed with different ones, but they all come from the same Spirit and the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
In the Old Testament we read that the Lord commanded the people, through Moses, to offer sacrifices of male animals without blemish. This was in similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which would be made in the meridian of time. Jesus Christ was a male without blemish. Leviticus 1:1-3 "And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that there are many different kinds of spiritual gifts and different people are blessed with different ones, but they all come from the same Spirit and the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about how Amulek had a visit from an angel who told him to welcome a man of God into his home. He opened his home to Alma and received a witness that what he was teaching was true. Having Alma in his home was a great blessing to him. When we obey the Lord, blessings come. Alma 10:7-11 "As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house. And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy house—and behold it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of God. And the angel said unto me he is a holy man; wherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God. And again, I know that the things whereof he hath testified are true; for behold I say unto you, that as the Lord liveth, even so has he sent his angel to make these things manifest unto me; and this he has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house. For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake."
In the Old Testament I read that glory of the Lord filled the completed tabernacle and a cloud covered the tent by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud was taken up, this was a sign from the Lord that the people were to move forward on their journey. Exodus 40:34-38 "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light, our salvation, and our strength. So why should we be afraid of anybody, when we have the Lord? Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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In the Old Testament I read that glory of the Lord filled the completed tabernacle and a cloud covered the tent by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud was taken up, this was a sign from the Lord that the people were to move forward on their journey. Exodus 40:34-38 "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light, our salvation, and our strength. So why should we be afraid of anybody, when we have the Lord? Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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