And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
No matter what mistakes I've made, I can still follow Him, and become the sort of man worth following myself.
"In vain do they talk of happiness who never subdued an impulse in obedience to a principle."
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
When I am troubled I can cry out to Him, and He will help me.
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
I should live and do things such that witnesses will want to testify of them.
"...learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of your holy priesthood to so magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows that the people will be glad to follow you."
I should be the sort of leader that people gladly follow.
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
I should turn down anything that might interfere with doing His work.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
I should be in the places He would be.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
If I want something, I have to work hard for it. Everything good requires effort from me.
Behold, I have told you before.
The promptings I have more than once are important.
And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
It's important to know about the Savior so that I can know what He would do in any situation I am struggling with.
"...sincere, repeated prayer, study, and meditation bring a fuller understanding..."
I should seek time for prayerful solitude.
Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
I should be aware of the full consequences of my decisions, not just the immediate ones.
"Difficulties are just God's errands. If we are sent upon them, it is an evidence of His confidence. Therefore, let us be glad, be happy, for it is a way of being wise. God loves you and He is ever willing to help you at all times. Just call on Him through fervent prayers. I know God never fails; He is there, He is listening, and He cares very deeply about you."
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
I should not argue against the more important rule by citing the less important one.
And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
He can't give me what I want unless I can tell Him what it is.
"...whatever comes, the Lord can whisper peace."
I can feel peace at any time unless I choose to push it away.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
I will always have His authority to act when I choose to do good things.
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
I should ask Him what my Jerusalem is, and go there.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
I should not look upon others with envy, jealousy, or anger. Those feelings are a reminder of what I truly want. I should seek that.
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
I should do the good things I am prompted to do.
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
I should seek my wife's concurrence on the things I do. When we are united, we will be blessed.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Choosing what I want is binding it in Heaven (spritual). Pursuing its physical manifestation is on Earth. I need to do both to get what I want.
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
If I have a need, I should come to Him for help
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
I should give things the names that give me the most power.
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
I should focus on the things that matter, not the things that don't
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
I should recognize the source of all the good in my life.
"Worrying about the punishment we think ought to come to others is self-defeating."
Thinking about what punishment others deserve wastes time I could be spending thinking about how to make more progress in my own life.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
I should find the things that are making my life difficult and eliminate them.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
If I control my mouth, I can control my heart. Words have power and I should choose the ones I want that would best serve me.
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
I should keep myself united in purpose with His kingdom, so that I may stand.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
I should learn the lesson of each scripture by asking how it could apply to me. The answer may be quite non-intuitive.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
He knew Jesus was the Christ, but John wanted his followers to gain their own testimony by hearing it directly from Christ, instead of just from a man. I should seek to gain my own testimony about what I'm told.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
I should remember that no matter what happens along the way, His path is the best way through. All other paths are different, but they're also harder.
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
I should make the effort to make even a tiny connection with Him.
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
If I ask Him, He can help bring calm to my soul.
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
Sometimes it's ok for me to seek solitude and recharge.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
I should ask for His help so that my inner peace can match my outer countenance.
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
I should share my hardships with Him - instead of the people around me, with whom I should share kindness and cheer.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Agree and amplify
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
I shouldn't argue with the adversary. The contention is what he's really after. He doesn't care about me at all.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
I should embrace the sad truths the adversary whispers instead of running from them. When I stop running from them, it takes away my fear, which takes away his power.
"Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence..."
Whatever it is I'm doing, I can do it just a tiny bit better this time.
"...life is made up of chllenges - they just differ from one person to another."
Everyone is struggling, everyone is having a hard day. I can give sympathy for this and be kind.
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
I should go where I am needed and do my best while I'm there.
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
No matter where I am in my life, He can make me better. I should seek His help to progress.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
The bad things that befall me usually come with warnings. I should hear Him and heed them.
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
I should live my life so as to leave a legacy of peace, hope, and joy.
And if ye have no hope, ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.
Despair itself is a form of iniquity. It's denying His presence. I can conquer it if I strive to hear His voice in the darkness.
And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
I can have every good thing in life if I am honest with myself and others.
