Daily Ponderings: Servants of the King

Alma 47:25

Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:

I should seek to be kind like He would

Why It Works

The purpose of religion is to help me learn how to believe things that might not be true, but which, if they were true, would empower me to make my life better.

This I Know: Faith

Faith is the victory of deliberate action over transient mood.

Daily Ponderings: The King Had Given Him Command

Alma 47:13

And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.

I have been given stewardship. He will help me use it wisely.

This I Know: All Things in Time

I can make a little bit of progress every day. I can discount the voice that says that it's not enough or that it doesn't count.

Daily Ponderings: Are Happy in Him

Alma 46:41

But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs suppose.

The more I bring Him into my life, the happier I will be.

This I Know: Chip Away

I can find opportunities to make progress.

Daily Ponderings: Stand Fast

Alma 46:27

And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of Joseph, which shall perish as his garment, are those who have dissented from us? Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ.

I know what's right. I should do it. He will strengthen me if I ask.

This I Know: Prayer Answered

He'll tell me the answers I need if I ask. Mostly, they revolve around peace and patience.

Daily Ponderings: Believers

Alma 46:14

For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

I get to choose my empowering beliefs

This I Know: Be Still

I can receive guidance if I still the clamor.

Daily Ponderings: Hearken to the Words

Alma 46:1

And it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren.

I should hearken to the things He tells me.

This I Know: Kindness

I can show kindness, even when I don't feel like it in the moment. I can choose.

Daily Ponderings: To Walk Uprightly

Alma 45:24

But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God.

I can choose uprightness

This I Know: Throw It Off

I can recover from bad feelings.

Daily Ponderings: Stand Fast in the Faith

Alma 45:17

And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth.

I should embrace empowering beliefs

This I Know: Looking Back

Looking back is saddening. Better to look forward.

Daily Ponderings: Write the Words

Alma 45:9

But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.

I should write the words He speaks to me.

This I Know: The Fog

The fears that beset me are phantoms that disperse like fog as I walk through them.

Daily Ponderings: Written Upon the Plates

Alma 44:24

And thus ended the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And thus ended the record of Alma, which was written upon the plates of Nephi.

I should write down what He is trying to teach me

Murmuring

Murmuring is accusing the Lord of leaving me alone to do this hard thing all by myself.

This I Know: Insight

When I get insight, I should write it down

Daily Ponderings: The Stubbornness of the Lamanaites

Alma 44:17

And now Moroni was angry, because of the stubbornness of the Lamanites; therefore he commanded his people that they should fall upon them and slay them. And it came to pass that they began to slay them; yea, and the Lamanites did contend with their swords and their might.

When something happens to disappoint or anger me, I can let go of my stubbornness and seek peace.

This I Know: Hope

If there is time left, I should work toward a better outcome.

Daily Ponderings: It Is God That Has Delivered

Alma 44:9

Behold, we are not of your faith; we do not believe that it is God that has delivered us into your hands; but we believe that it is your cunning that has preserved you from our swords. Behold, it is your breastplates and your shields that have preserved you.

I should look for His hand in my life.

This I Know: Change of Plan

Usually best to roll with the prompting.

Daily Ponderings: When He Saw

Alma 43:54

Now Moroni, when he saw their terror, commanded his men that they should stop shedding their blood.

I should observe those around me to help them get what they need.

This I Know: Peace

Peace is the root of everything good. I should seek for it. Constantly. Nothing else is more important.

Daily Ponderings: For Their Liberty and Their Freedom from Bondage

Alma 43:49

And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.

This is the state for which man was designed.

Daily Ponderings: They Being Shielded

Alma 43:38

While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.

I can be shielded from the attacks of the adversary by asking "how" to repel them.

This I Know: How

Progress can be made by asking "how".

Daily Ponderings: The Work

Alma 43:37

And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.

I should be involved in the work of being kind to people

This I Know: Relax

I can let the tension out of my body by giving myself permission to let it go and not insisting on holding it in.

Daily Ponderings: He Should Inquire of the Lord

Alma 43:23

But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.

I should pray for direction at the crossroads

Daily Ponderings: Shields to Defend

Alma 43:19

And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing

I should turn to prayer as the shield to defend against the insidious whisperings of the adversary

Catalyst of Power

The Book of Mormon isn't the power. It's a catalyst to access the power of Christ

How can I use a catalyst to access the power to change my mind?

What does it look like to use a catalyst to access the power to change my mind?

It looks like creating a reframe to install & access a more empowering belief.

This I Know: Kind

I can choose to be kind, even when I don't feel like it in the moment.

Daily Ponderings: Declare the Word

Alma 42:31

And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

I should declare what I know to be true as best I can. He will make up the difference.

This I Know: Rest Easy

I can ask for peace when I wake up, and go back to sleep.

Daily Ponderings: Mercy

Alma 42:21

And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

If I am kind to myself, He will be kind to me.

This I Know: Strength

If I put in the work, I will have the strength.

Daily Ponderings: The Presence of the Lord

Alma 42:11

And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord.

I can invite Him to be with me at any time.

This I Know: Close Enough

It's all going to be ok, so what I do doesn't have to be perfect.

Daily Ponderings: Justifieth Him

Alma 41:15

For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.

If I listen to promptings, I can be guided to do the things that will make me happy.

This I Know: Progress

If I push aside the Litany, I can make progress.

Daily Ponderings: The Nature of Happiness

Alma 41:11

And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.

If I understand the nature of happiness, He will be able to help me find it if I ask.

This I Know: Flooding and Draining

What I feel as a desire to cling to anger is actually just my body being flooded with adrenaline. It's chemical. If I let the adrenaline dissipate and drain away, I will be able to find the peace that lies underneath, like rocks when the tide goes out.

Daily Ponderings: Things Pertaining to the Things of Righteousness

Alma 40:26

But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.

I should seek after the things pertaining to the things of righteousness.

This I Know: Fear

Fear is a product of the adversary. I can set it aside to make room for peace to crowd it out.

Daily Ponderings: Spoken of in This Manner

Alma 40:17

Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth.

I should be careful about the manner in which I speak of things so as to invite the Spirit

This I Know: Kindness

I can be kind. It will make my life better for the peace it brings.

Daily Ponderings: The Thing Which I Have Inquired Diligently of the Lord to Know

Alma 40:9

Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.

To know things, I should inquire diligently of the Lord

This I Know: Guidance

I can be guided when I ask specifically for what I want.

Daily Ponderings: Is It Not As Easy at This Time?

Alma 39:19

Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming?

I can choose to feel peace at any time if I ask for His help

This I Know: Relentless

The adversary's attacks are relentless. I can be equally relentless in calling them out and sidestepping them

Daily Ponderings: Acknowledge Your Faults

Alma 39:13

That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done.

I should be honest with myself and others about where I'm at.

This I Know: Power

If I am tired, I can ask for and receive power.

Daily Ponderings: For Your Good

Alma 39:7

And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.

All things can be for my good. He can help me find the good in all things if I ask.

This I Know: Progress

I can make progress, in small increments, daily, and it will be enough.

Daily Ponderings: Now Go, My Son

Alma 38:15

And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my son, and teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My son, farewell.

I should go about such that I can be identified as a son of God

Daily Ponderings: Use Boldness and Refrain from Idleness

Alma 38:12

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.

I should spend my time doing things that help me progress.

To Myself and Others

I should appreciate what people do, and be loving, kind, and never short.

Be loving, kind and never short with me. Appreciate what I do.

Peace

I should aim for peace. If I approach it from any other angle, I'm going to feel beat down by the adversary. I can't approach a desire to change from a position fo weakness or lack. Only from a foundation of strength. That's the only way it can work. It's the way He made it work during His ministry.

Achievement and Progress

I think you're doing it just exactly right. However, if the Holy Ghost prompts you to do something differently, listen to Him and do what He says.

Where They're At

I should meet everyone where they're at. Which means I need to ask them where they're at, and shut up while they tell me.

Change

If I really want to change others, I should make them feel loved. That'll be a huge change for them.

Instead of focusing on changing others, I should focus on feeling peace about what I want them to change. He'll take care of the rest.

This I Know: Choosing Peace

Peace is always an option

Daily Ponderings: Acknowledge Your Unworthiness Before God At All Time

Alma 38:14

Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.

Asking for help hurts less than I think it will. He can help me find the peace I need to ask.

Daily Ponderings: Lifted Up

Alma 38:11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.

He can make me better if I ask for His help

This I Know: Make Like a Tree and Bend

I can be hard and shatter like a St. Rupert's drop, or I can bend and spring back like a palm tree. The difference is peace.