Daily Ponderings: He Did Not Consign Us

Alma 26:19

O then why did he not consign us to an awful destruction? Yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us and doom us to eternal despair?

There is mercy and redemption for me in whatever state I am in.

Anxious Concern for the Comfort and Well-Being

From Gordon B. Hinckley's April 1991 "What God Hath Joined Together":

"I am satisfied that a happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion."

Daily Ponderings: Were Brought to Pass

Alma 25:9

And behold, they are hunted at this day by the Lamanites. Thus the words of Abinadi was brought to pass which he said concerning the seed of the priests, which caused that he should suffer death by fire.

I can have good things if I pursue them with patience.

Daily Ponderings: Kept Bright As a Testimony

Alma 24:16

And now my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords; yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day. And if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.

I should let my testimony shine brightly before men.

When He Commands, He Promises, Too.

From Henry B. Eyring's April 1991 "To Draw Close to God":

"Our Heavenly Father has not only invited us to speak to Him, He has commanded it. And as He has always done, when He commands, He promises, too."

Obedience is an investment that will always return blessings to me.

Daily Ponderings: And Also the People of the Lamanites

Alma 23:10

and also of the people of the Lamanites which were in the land of Middoni,

His word is for all, and it is not for me to decide who to share it with.

Daily Ponderings: Make Thyself Known Unto Me

Alma 22:18

O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God. And if there is a God and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me? And I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.

I should listen carefully to know that He is there and what He is prompting me to do.

Daily Ponderings: Preach the Word Unto Many

Alma 21:12

And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden their hearts; therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught.

I should let the light that is in me shine through to all I meet.

Daily Ponderings: He Was Angry

Alma 20:16

Now when his father heard these words, he was angry with him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth.

When I feel angry, I have a choice to either act on it or to let it go.

Daily Ponderings: The People Began to Murmur

Alma 19:19

And now the people began to murmur among themselves, some saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them—?or upon the king and his house—?because he had suffered that the Nephite should remain in the land.

I should beware of murmuring, and resolve to drop it as soon as I notice it. Murmuring never brings happiness. I should choose to be happy anyway, in spite of whatever troubles beset me, for I will always have something to be unhappy about if I wanted to.

Daily Ponderings: By What Power I Do These Things

Alma 18:22

Now Ammon being wise yet harmless, he saith unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

I should remember that I can use His power in my life to do anything, large or small. I just need to take the time to ask for His help.

Daily Ponderings: As Ammon Entered the Land

Alma 17:20

And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites which fell into their hands and carry them before the king. And thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them or to retain them in captivity or to cast them into prison or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure.

I can't control what will happen in every new situation, but I can ask Him to prepare me for it and guide me through it with His power.

Daily Ponderings: Did Not Go in to Possess the Desolation

Alma 16:11

Nevertheless after many days their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors, for they were of the profession of Nehor which were slain; and their lands remained desolate.

I should let the mistakes of the past go. It's OK to remember them, but not to dwell on them.

Daily Ponderings: According to His Faith

Alma 15:10

And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.

I can only receive blessings according to my faith, so I should focus on strengthening my faith. How can I do that?

Daily Ponderings: What Say Ye?

Alma 14:15

Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save these which had been cast into the fire, neither hath God saved them because they were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their cheeks and asked: What say ye for yourselves?

No matter what I'm asked, I should respond as truthfully as I can.

Daily Ponderings: Look Forward to Him

Alma 13:16

Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order or it being his order—?and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

I should let my time listening to Him be the best part of my day.

Daily Ponderings: Began to Be More Astonished

Alma 12:19

Now it came to pass that when Alma had made an end of speaking these words, the people began to be more astonished.

I should listen carefully to hear His messages in every moment and even in unusual opportunities.

Daily Ponderings: Thou Knowest That There Is a God

Alma 11:24

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.

When I set aside my doubts and act in faith, He will grant me the power I need to make progress.

Daily Ponderings: Amulek Could Know of Their Designs

Alma 10:17

Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their design. But it came to pass as they began to question him, he perceived their thoughts, and he saith unto them: O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil, for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.

As I continue to live righteously, I will be gifted with the power of discernment.

Daily Ponderings: If Ye Persist

Alma 9:18

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.

As soon as I stop doing the wrong thing, His blessings will begin to flow to me again.

Daily Ponderings: Return to the City of Ammonihah

Alma 8:16

And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.

I should persist in the face of adversity.

Daily Ponderings: Wrestling With God in Mighty Prayer

Alma 8:10

Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.

Sometimes I must have the purpose of my prayer in mind for a long time before a path toward accomplishing it is made clear to me.

Daily Ponderings: Mighty to Save

Alma 7:14

Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

Whatever my life situation, it can get better if I ask for His help.

Daily Ponderings: Assembling Themselves Together to Hear the Word of God

Alma 6:5

Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that no one was deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God.

I should share the word I receive with others.

Daily Ponderings: The Lord God Hath Spoken It

Alma 5:32

Yea, even woe unto all ye workers of iniquity. Repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

I should strive to hear Him.

Daily Ponderings: Alma Saw

Alma 4:11

And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church and saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people,

I should seek the blessing of clear-eyed discernment.

Daily Ponderings: That I May Have Mercy Upon Them

Alma 3:14

Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the words which he saith to Nephi: Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed; and I will set a mark upon them, that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed from this time henceforth and forever except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me, that I may have mercy upon them.

No matter what mistakes I have made, I can leave them behind and move forward because of His mercy.

Daily Ponderings: Pitch Their Tents for the Night

Alma 2:20

And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer, he caused that his people should pitch their tents in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon which was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night.

I should balance worthwhile pursuits with rest.

Daily Ponderings: Pretended to Preach According to Their Belief

Alma 1:17

Nevertheless they durst not lie -- if it were known -- for fear of the law, for liars were punished. Therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief. And now the law could have no power on any man for their belief.

I should preach according to what I actually believe.

Daily Ponderings: Not Expedient That Such Abominations Should Come Upon You

Mosiah 29:24

And now behold, I say unto you: It is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you.

I can avoid foreseeable temporal trouble through spiritual preparation.

Daily Ponderings: Kept and Preserved

Mosiah 28:11

Therefore he took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God, and after having translated and caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the people of Limhi, which was delivered to him by the hand of Limhi--

I should keep records of my family.

Daily Ponderings: Inquired of the Lord

Mosiah 28:5 and 6

5: And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi.

6: And it came to pass that king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.

If someone asks a hard thing of me, I can go to the Lord to find out if it should be done, and how.

Daily Ponderings: Publish Peace

Mosiah 27:37

And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good, and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.

I should strive to speak in a soft, non-contentious, manner with those who don't agree with me

Daily Ponderings: Impart Much Consolation

Mosiah 27:33

But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to the church, confirming their faith and exhorting them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of God.

As I overcome my struggles, I can learn how to help others overcome theirs.

Daily Ponderings: Like to Be Cast Off

Mosiah 27:27

I say unto you: Unless this be the case, they must be cast off. And this I know because I was like to be cast off.

Even if I am in a place where I am lke to be cast off, I can always change. He can give me the power to do so.

Daily Ponderings: Go Forth in My Name

Mosiah 26:20

Thou art my servant, and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life. And thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name and shall gather together my sheep.

I should do all that I do in a way that would bring honor to His name.

Daily Ponderings: Because Thou Hast Inquired of Me

Mosiah 26:19

And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.

I will be blessed just for taking the time to ask.

Daily Ponderings: Descendants of Nephi

Mosiah 25:13

And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites—?and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those which were descendants of Nephi.

I should act in a way that blesses my posterity.