Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem."

This is the story of David and Bathsheba, and how one sin becomes another to cover it. I cannot read this story but think of how it never would have happened if David was where he should have been. He tarried in Jerusalem instead of in battle. David found himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and ended up doing the wrong things. The lesson is there is moral safety and protection when we are in the right place trying to do the right things.

Day 2437

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 11:4, 13, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 11:4, 13, 26

"And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.

 And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.

While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?"

They are fighting over land after 300 years, because of what they felt was wronged against them. I pondered on how the people that were alive when that happened were long gone. How can you still feel wronged? Then I thought of the history of my nation and those that hold on to how their ancestors were wronged. Is it really feeling wronged or is it using it to their advantage? I cannot say because I have nothing my ancestors would feel wronged over. I guess the tradition has to be handed down from their fathers. Then I thought of the Lamanites and how they handed down the tradition of how they were wronged by the Nephites. There are just some traditions we need to break. It comes with forgiveness.

Day 2381

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 10:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 10:14
"And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord."

This chapter does a good job explaining why the Lamanites had such a hatred of the Nephites. How because of the false traditions of their fathers they felt wronged by the Nephites, first when being made to flee Jerusalem and wronged in the wilderness, then while crossing the sea, then when they landed in the new world. All this because they felt they had a right to lead the people, even when Nephi was favored of the Lord. Why was Nephi favored? Because he was obedient and faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. The stunning thing to me is all of them passed through the same experiences. The difference is who they turned to and trusted in time of need.

From this feeling of being wronged they became wroth with the Nephites. Why?  Because they did not understand the dealings of the Lord. Four times it described how they were wroth. From this the emotions turn to feeling robbed to hate, murder, robbing and plunder. Becoming cunning, lying, craftiness, deceiving and seek to destroy. It is amazing to me how after knowing the goodness of the Lord that a heart can harden when they turn away from God. Not only do the people turn from the Lord it turns against His people for generations. That anger and hatred can become all consuming. The ability to prosper leaves them because all they seek is to live off of the work of others. The ingratitude and feeling of entitlement then sweeps over them. Then they seek to take the Lord's people into bondage and over power them. I think there are a great number of Lamanites in our land.

Day 1839

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 9:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 9:8-9
"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

I know someone that cannot be told they have done anything wrong. They do not want to be told their flaw, even when they tell the story of what happened to them and wonder why?  You cannot say anything that would suggest they had a part in their misfortune. To do so means to be caught in their rage. It's been very sad to work with them. For you see the same error happening over and over again. They do not want to hear it. You have to be guarded in your interactions with them, for offense is so very easily taken.

How much more pleasant it is to work with people that want to improve. That gladly hear the hard words so they can keep from falling into the same pit. They learn and grow. Those that do not are stunted in their growth. History repeats itself, over and over until the day comes they must look at themselves. Truly to be wise is to learn from my mistakes.

Day 1212