Thoughts

"I believe reading the scriptures is the best washing machine for unclean or uncontrolled thoughts." -- President James E. Faust (“The Power of Self-Mastery,” April 2000 general conference).

I really liked that quote from an article I read this morning. Here is a story from that same article on LDS.org by Sister Linda S. Reeves of the General Relief Society Presidency:

"On the day my husband, Mel, and I moved into the mission home in Riverside, California, a 30-foot pine tree was uprooted from the front yard by a tree-removal company.

We were told that one week earlier, two other pine trees of similar height had also been removed. The top branches of the trees had become yellowed and diseased. These mighty trees were decades old. What was the cause of their demise? Bark beetles—tiny insects, each about the size of a piece of cooked rice! How could something so small kill something so big? These tiny beetles burrow their way into the bark of the tree, weakening them and eventually killing the tree. I felt drawn to compare the tiny bark beetles to thoughts that we allow into our minds that can infest our spirits, cause spiritual illness and lead to sin."-- Linda S. Reeves

The following quotes are from the same article by Sister Reeves, quoting President Packer from 1973:

“Probably the greatest challenge to people of any age, particularly young people, and the most difficult thing you will face in mortal life is to learn to control your thoughts. As a man ‘thinketh in his heart, so is he’ (Proverbs 23:7). One who can control his thoughts has conquered himself.” -- President Boyd K. Packer

“If you let them, they will devise the most clever persuasions to hold your attention. ... Even convince you that it is innocent—for they are but thoughts.

“If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits. If you can learn to master them you will have a happy life." -- President Boyd K. Packer, October 1973 General Conference

Sister Reeves goes on to mention the tragedy of the story David:

"One of the most tragic and well-known stories in the Bible is that of King David and Bathsheba. The scriptures tell us that “at the time when kings go out to battle,” David “tarried still at Jerusalem.” In other words, David wasn’t out leading his troops, as he should have been, but stayed home at the palace. “At eventide” he got up out of his bed and walked upon the roof. Perhaps he had earlier seen something he should not have seen or looked at and hoped he might see it again. As David looked upon the beautiful Bathsheba bathing, he did not look away as he should have. His unrighteous thoughts and desires eventually led to adultery and a web of deceit that cost him his eternal inheritance." -- Linda S. Reeves



"Remember that YOU are the master of your thoughts. Satan cannot force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Take control of your life!" -- Linda S. Reeves

That's my two cents. -- Actually it's Sister Reeves' two cents but I wholeheartedly agree. :-)