Daily Ponderings: Fortify Against Their Enemies, Dwell in One Body

3 Nephi 3:25

And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land and in one body. And they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins. And they did put up their prayers unto the Lord their God that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle.

I should continually add His strength to myself and resolve conflict within myself by embracing the parts of me that I fear and dislike until I am one unified whole.

Daily Ponderings: Guard Them from the Robbers Day and Night

3 Nephi 3:14

And he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceeding great. And he caused that there should be armies both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites - or of all them which were numbered among the Nephites - should be placed as guards round about to watch them and to guard them from the robbers day and night.

I can call for His help at any time to strengthen me against the draining whispers of the adversary.

Daily Ponderings: Did Still Remain in Wickedness

3 Nephi 2:10

And it came to pass that the people did still remain in wickedness, notwithstanding the much preaching and prophesying which was sent among them. And thus passed away the tenth year also; and the eleventh year also passed away in iniquity.

Change is hard. I should turn to Him daily or even hourly for help.

Pray With Faith for Help

From Richard G. Scott's April 1989 "Trust in the Lord"

"They knew how to pray with faith for help with a problem they could not resolve themselves."

Daily Ponderings: Plans Had Been Frustrated

3 Nephi 1:16

And there were many which had not believed the words of the prophets fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated, for the sign which had been given was already at hand.

If the plans I make become frustrated, I am always free to make other plans and I can ask Him to help me.

Daily Ponderings: Great Signs and Wonders

Helaman 16:13

But behold, it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders. And the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.

I should appreciate and cherish the small, everyday miracles that bless my life.

Daily Ponderings: Buried Their Weapons of War

Helaman 15:9

And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they shall sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin. For behold, they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies and will not lift their swords against them - and this because of their faith in Christ.

I can choose to give up anger and frustration.

Daily Ponderings: This Death Bringeth to Pass the Resurrection

Helaman 14:16

Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them, ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation and ye are brought down unto this second death.

His power can help me overcome any obstacle.

Daily Ponderings: Shall Not Pass Away Before

Helaman 13:9

And four hundred years shall not pass away before I will cause that they shall be smitten. Yea, I will visit them with the sword and with famine and with pestilence;

I will always have warning and time and opportunity to turn away from a path that isn't making me happy.

Daily Ponderings: If He Say Unto the Earth

Helaman 12:14

Yea, if he say unto the earth: Thou shalt go back, that it lengthen out the day for many hours - and it is done.

I can command myself in His voice to do good works.

Daily Ponderings: Began to Prosper Again

Helaman 11:20

And thus it did come to pass that the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land and began to build up their waste places and began to multiply and spread, even until they did cover the whole face of the land, both on the northward and on the southward, from the sea west to the sea east.

Every day is a new chance for me to leave the mistakes of the past behind, try again, and do better.

And I don't have to wait for a new day. Any new minute can be a new start as well.

Daily Ponderings: If Ye Shall Say

Helaman 10:10

And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass.

If I understand His principles, I will be able to make useful predictions.

Daily Ponderings: Blind and Stiffnecked

Helaman 9:21

But Nephi saith unto them: O ye fools, ye uncircumcised of heart, ye blind and ye stiffnecked people, do ye know how long the Lord your God will suffer you that ye shall go on in this your ways of sin?

I should open my eyes to truth at all times.

The Heaviest Load

From Neal A. Maxwell's October 1989 "Murmur Not":

The heaviest load we feel is often from the weight of our unkept promises

I should strive to keep promises I make, and not make promises I don't plan to keep.

Daily Ponderings: Also All the Holy Prophets

Helaman 8:16

And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophets from his day even to the days of Abraham.

When more than one holy source says the same thing, I should give it special heed.

Daily Ponderings: As Many As Should Look

Helaman 8:15

And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.

I should never be afraid to see what is true and embrace it.

Daily Ponderings: So Great a Hold Upon Your Hearts

Helaman 7:15

And because of my mourning and lamentation ye have gathered yourselves together and do marvel? Yea, and ye have great need to marvel! Yea, ye had ought to marvel because ye are given away that the devil hath got so great hold upon your hearts.

I should recognize when the adversary sends his spirit of fear to try to bind me to inaction.

Daily Ponderings: That They Should Not Suffer

Helaman 6:21

But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more parts of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed in, that they should not suffer for their murders and their plunderings and their stealings.

I should help people who are suffering for reasons other than their bad choices.

Daily Ponderings: Lay Down Weapons, Hatred, Traditions

Helaman 5:51

And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.

I can choose to be filled with peace.

Daily Ponderings: The Walls of the Prison Did Shake

Helaman 5:27

And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly. And the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites which were dissenters.

I should remember that there is great power in the gospel and all words of truth.

Daily Ponderings: Did Preach Many Things

Helaman 4:14

But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity. And also Nephi and Lehi, which were the sons of Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins.

I have many resources for gaining spiritual knowledge, and I should avail myself of as many as possible.

Daily Ponderings: Still Great Contention in the Land

Helaman 3:19

And it came to pass that there was still great contentions in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and eighth year.

Contention will always exist. I should practice becoming and staying peaceful in the midst of it.

Daily Ponderings: Known All the Heart of Kishkumen

Helaman 2:8

And it came to pass that when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishcumen and how that it was his object to murder and also that it was the object of all those which belonged to his band to murder and to rob and to gain power - and this was their secret plan and their combination - the servant of Helaman saith unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment seat.

I should be aware of how iniquity tempts, so that I may know how to foil the adversary's plans.

Daily Ponderings: So Much Contention, So Much Difficulty

Helaman 1:18

And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla, for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands and attackt that great city Zarahemla.

I shouldn't let contention and difficulty distract me from focusing on what's most important.

Daily Ponderings: Many People Who Were Sent Forth

Alma 63:9

And it came to pass that in this year there were many people which went forth into the land northward. And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.

I should stay where I am, bloom where I'm planted, and leave a legacy here.

Daily Ponderings: Become a Free People

Alma 62:27

Now it came to pass that as many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a free people

Living His commandments will make me more free than following any other set of rules.

Daily Ponderings: Would Not Rise up in Rebellion

Alma 61:11

We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.

I should embrace the commandments I am given to discover the blessings they can bring.

Daily Ponderings: Surrounded by Security

Alma 60:19

Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye do not cause food to be sent unto us and also men to strengthen our armies?

I should try to live centered on His commandments, and avoid borders and fringes.

Daily Ponderings: Exceedingly Sorrowful and Began to Doubt

Alma 59:11

And now when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost, he was exceeding sorrowful and began to doubt because of the wickedness of the people whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.

Even the prophets have their moments of darkness and despair, and - like them - I can turn to the Source of All Light for the light I need, in the moment I need it.

Daily Ponderings: Receiving Strength from Day to Day

Alma 59:7

And thus being exceeding numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day by the command of Ammoron, they came forth against the people of Nephihah; and they did begin to slay them with an exceeding great slaughter.

If I ask for help, He will give me strength and fortify me day by day, and even hour by hour.

Daily Ponderings: Take Possession of the City

Alma 58:21

And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city and fell upon the guards which were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession of the city.

I should take possession of my faculties at all times and not surrender to natural-man impulses.