Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lehi beckoned to his family to join him in partaking of the fruit of the tree of life.  Nephi, Sam and their mother did come and join Lehi in partaking of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refused.  1 Nephi 8:13-18 "And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.  And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.  And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.  And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them. And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit." 

In the Old Testament we read about how hesitant Jacob was to send Benjamin back with his other sons to buy more food in Egypt.  His sons had to be very persuasive to convince him to let Benjamin go.  Genesis 43:1-14 "And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.  And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.  If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.  And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?  And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?  And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.  I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.  And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:  And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:  Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:  And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. "

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it's not enough to merely listen to the word of God, we need to do what it says.  Otherwise, we're just deceiving ourselves.  It's great to read the scriptures and listen to talks in church, but that is not enough.  We need to practice what is preached and put our faith into action!  James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Lehi had a dream or vision which caused him to rejoice in the hope that Nephi and Sam would be saved and also many of their seed.  However, he had reason to fear for the fate of Laman and Lemuel. In this dream he saw a dark and dreary waste, and also a beautiful tree which had fruit that would make a person happy. When he partook of this wonderful fruit, he wanted to share it with his family so that they could be happy too.  1 Nephi 8:2-12 "And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.  And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.  But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.  And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.  And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.  And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.  And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how there was famine in all the land but there was food in Egypt because Joseph had stored food during the seven years of plenty. Even Joseph's father Jacob back home sent his sons to Egypt to buy food so they wold not starve. Joseph recognized his brothers, but pretended not to and spoke harshly to them, accusing them of being spies. They bowed down to him, just like he had seen them do in his dream years earlier. Joseph insisted that they bring their brother Benjamin to see him to prove that they were actually brothers and not spies.  Genesis 42:1-16 "Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?  And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.  But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.  And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.  And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.  And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.  And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.  We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.  And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:  Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.  Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that each of us have received gifts from God which we should use to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.  Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's talents than our own.  But we each have God given gifts which we can use to bless the lives of others.  We should not ignore or hoard the gifts God has given us, we should use our gifts to serve other people.  And if we're not sure what our gifts are or how to use them, we can pray and ask the Lord to help us know these things.  1 Peter 4:10 " As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Nephi and those traveling with him arrived back at the tent to Lehi, they gave thanks to the Lord and offered sacrifices to Him.  1 Nephi 7:22 "And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him."

 

In the Old Testament we read that what Josephs interpretation of Pharaoh's dream came to pass.  There were seven years of plenty, during which time Joseph stored huge quantities of good.  Then came the seven years of famine throughout all the land, and people had to go to Joseph to buy food.   Genesis 41:47-49, 53-57 "And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.  And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.  And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.  And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands."  

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the word of the Lord gives us life and is a comfort to us in our afflictions.  God is our help in every need.  Psalms 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that when Nephi had finished speaking to his brethren, exhorting them to do the things the Lord had commanded them, they became angry with him, bound him with cords, and sought to kill him.  Nephi prayed that he would be given the strength to break the cords that they'd bound him with, and the Lord granted his petition. He again stood before his brethren and spoke to them, which made them angry again. However, some of Ismael's family members pleaded for Nephi and this softened the hearts of Laman and Lemuel who stopped trying to kill Nephi and asked him to forgive them.  Nephi did frankly forgive them and exhorted his brothers to pray for forgiveness also, which they did.  Then they continued travling toward Lehi's tent in the wilderness.  Nephi is a wonderful example of how we should forgive those who trespass against us.  He quickly forgave them, told them to pray and ask for forgiveness from the Lord, and then continued on with what he was doing and didn't bring up the subject of their wrongs again.  1 Nephi 7:16-21 "And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.  But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.  And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again. And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life. And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.  And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father."

 

In the Old Testament we read about how Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh's dream and predict that after 7 years of plenty, there would be 7 years of famine, so they should store up food to last through the lean years.  Pharaoh was so pleased with Joseph for being able to interpret his dream and he not only released him from prison but made him a ruler over all Egypt.  Genesis 41:14-42 "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:  And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:  And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:  And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.  And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:  And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:  And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.  The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.  This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:  And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;  And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.  And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.  Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.  And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.  And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.  And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we can know and believe that God loves us.  God is love. We love God because He first loved us.  Perfect love casts out fear and will allow us to approach judgment day with boldness. What reassurance it should give us to know how much God loves us.  The story is told of a grandmother singing "Jesus loves me" to her little 2 year old granddaughter.  The child listened intently as her grandmother repeatedly sang "Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me" and then the little girl thrust her face right into her grandmothers and announced, "Hey, Jesus loves ME too!" She was right.  Jesus has plenty of love for all of us.    1 John 4:16-19 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the word of the Lord will always be fulfilled. Nephi reminds his brethren that those at Jerusalem who rejected the prophets will be destroyed so if they return to Jerusalem they will be destroyed as well.   1 Nephi 7:13-15 "And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled. For behold, the Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land.  Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak."

In the Old Testament we read about how Potiphar's wife tried to get Joseph to lie with her, but he refused,  Her continued attempts caused him to run away from her, leaving his cloak behind.  This is a good example of how we need to deal with temptation--just get out!  Flee!  Run away!  Don't hang around thinking you're strong enough to resist.  Do like Joseph and run for the hills!  Potiphar's wife was not pleased with Joseph refusing er advances so she accused him of trying to rape her and had him thrown into prison.  But once again, in spite of the circumstances Joseph was in, the Lord was still with him.  Joseph was put in charge of the prisoners and the Lord prospered him.  Genesis 39:7-23 "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:  And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.  And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 

 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we should comfort and edify each other.  How good are we at encouraging others, consoling them, and building them up? Are we the positive type of person who makes others smile and brightens up their day?  Do who thank others for what they do and express our appreciation for how they bless our lives? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read yesterday about how Laman and Lemuel didn't complain about returning to Jerusalem to obtain wives, but they sure did complain that they had to return to the wilderness with their wives, and other people in Ismael's family complained as well. Nephi tried to remind them of the great things the Lord had done for them, but hey were very quick to forget these things and tended to dwell on the negative things in their lives.  Are we like this at times?  Do we easily forget all the blessings the Lord has poured out upon us but are quick to remember our trials ad hardships and tend to dwell on them and complain about them?  1 Nephi 7:6-12 "And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.  And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.  And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?  How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord? How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?  Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."

 

In the Old Testament we read that even though Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, the Lord was still with him and prospered him and he was made overseer.  The Lord blessed him even in his circumstances.  Genesis 39:1-6 " And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured."

In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the word of the Lord came to the people from the prophet Zechariah telling them to live good lives of mercy and compassion.  But the people refused to hearken, stopping up their ears so they wouldn't have to hear and making their hearts as stone against the words of God.  As a result, the Lord refused to hear their cries and scattered them among the nations, making their land desolate.  When our prophet today tells us to do something, do we hearken and obey or do we turn a deaf ear to him and go on doing what we want?  Refusing to listen to a prophet has consequences.  Zechariah 7:8-14 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."

Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord again spoke to Lehi and told him that it was not good that he should depart with his sons without them having wives, so they could have children in the land of promise.  So they should go to Ismael who had daughters and have them join them on their journey.  The Lord softened the heart of Ismael so that they were willing to accompany them.  Notice that Laman and Lemuel, who usually murmured and complained at everything they were asked to do, didn't complain about having to go back to Jerusalem to obtain wives for themselves!  1 Nephi 7:1-5 "And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.  And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord.  And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father."

 

In the Old Testament we read that because of the envy that Joseph's brothers had for him they conspired to kill him.  But Reuben and Judah didn't want to shed his blood and convinced the other brothers to first cast him into a pit instead of killing hi and then selling him into slavery instead of shedding his blood. He was sold to some merchantmen and taken into Egypt  His brothers put blood on his coat of many colors to take to their father so that he would think Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. Their father was greatly distressed by this news and refused to be comforted by his other children.  Genesis 37:18-35 "And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.  And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.  And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;  And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?  And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.  And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God made trees that were both good for food and pleasant to the sight.  He could have provided us food that came in drab gray boxes.  But instead He made beautiful trees that bloom with colorful flowers in the spring, have bright green leaves that rustle in the wind during summer, and change to gorgeous displays of red, orange and yellow in the autumn.  Why did He create trees to be so beautiful instead of just useful for food?  I think He delights in providing us a beautiful world to live in so that we can enjoy it.  Let's not take this wonderful world for granted, but enjoy every tree, flower and mountain we see.  Genesis 2:9 "And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."