Thought of the Day - Ether 6

As a part of me trying to keep the commandments better (not skip any days reading scriptures) and follow the promptings of the Spirit (share more of my testimony on the blog); I'm starting a new feature -- the thought of the day. Not EVERY day will have this but it will be regularly featured. Please, please remember I just want to post my thoughts -- this is not meant to be preachy or condescending at all -- whatever I say here is what I'm saying to my self, k? (This is what you get the day after I come home from a Spiritual Feast like Education Week :-)

Ether 6

v5. And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
v6. And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain of waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

God has a marvelous plan for each of our lives. He sent us here with things he wants us to do; people he wants us to influence; and children he wants us to raise (or not raise). The goal is the promised land and he has promised to assist us along the way . What we may sometimes forget is that along that path we will be buffeted by furious and fierce winds that toss us around and bury us under what feels like mountains of waves. And these aren't the fierce winds (trials) that Satan sends. The Lord has sent these waves. Without them we would be dead on the water and NEVER reach the Promised Land; never fulfill our true potential; and never accomplish the missions why we've been sent here to earth. As a side note it helps to remember as you look around and judge other people it is very likely we are all being tossed in the waves - remember that others very likely are passing through a more violent storm than you are right now.

v7. And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them.

During these times if we keep our covenants and rely on the Lord there is nothing that Satan can do to deter or hurt us.

v8. And it came to pass the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land . . . . and they were driven forth by the wind.
v9. And they did sing praises to the Lord . . . . and did thank and praise the Lord all day long; and when night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

In the middle of us being tossed and thrown and buried -- we should never cease to thank and praise the Lord. Thank him for the wind and the storms that will bring you to the promised land.