Poems Based on Elder Ballard's talks

We believe other lands had visits from Christ.
They saw signs in the heavens, they knew His name.
He taught them, they felt His wounds, He dried their eyes.
The Book of Mormon testifies that He came.

We're Christians otherwise nicknamed “The Mormons”.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints-
And our missionaries can teach you lessons.
But, you can read on if you have time constraints...

Facts
Here are some facts to introduce us to you...
The Lord's Church was restored in 1830.
We've priesthood, apostles, and a prophet, too.
Our pioneers frontiered and proved how we're sturdy.

We've members in 176 countries
With 13 millions members, we are rising.
We don't smoke, drink alcohol, coffee or teas.
We've unpaid clergy, we serve and pay tithing.


Faith in God
We believe that God is our Heavenly Father.
And we are literally His spirit offspring.
That's why our names start with brother and sister.
And why the gospel sounds with a familiar ring.

We worship our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ .
We try to be like Him, we pray in His name.
Those with priesthood are authorized and baptize.
Through total immersion we're never the same.

Family
Every Monday night's reserved for the family.
Where we'll teach each other, sing, pray and have fun.
We're known for having practiced polygamy.
Biblically restored, then abandoned, now shunned.

As families, we attend Sunday services.
We instruct each other using the scriptures.
In temples we perform sacred ordinances.
That seals families committed to their futures.

Fruits of the Gospel
The Savior said, “By their fruits, ye shall know them.”
For our Lord, we strive to be in His image.
To be healthier, we have the Word of Wisdom.
In love, we've a divorce rate lower than average.

We've shown our excellence in education
Missionaries surpass in their languages,
They pay their own way to teach. It's not a vacation!
With compassion, Saints serve and share from their wages.

This Was Simple and Short
These are a few thoughts, that come straight from the heart.
May these words build a bridge of understanding.
So together we'll rise up and make a new start.
Let's seek for the good, with friendships longstanding.

If you're still wanting to know a little more
Our doors stand wide open, where the Lord calls you.
You're what our missionaries hoped and trained for.
To witness that for man Christ died and now lives too.



O Be Wise

“Oh be wise, what can I say more.”
Wrote Jacob, to meekly implore.
A prophet thus speaks from the dust.
His wisdom, from God, we can trust.
He'd sincere energy of soul.
Each man, too, may magnify role.
We can serve both wisely and well.
When we do, it's easy to tell,
For we'll know their hopes and their dreams.
This is not as hard as it seems.

Oh be wise, I say to myself.
I must take the book off the shelf.
When I read of the prophets plea.
I know I feel the urgency.
Self-compelled I know what to do.
Simply put, I should follow through.
Innovate, through inspiration.
Contemplate, through meditation.
It's our chance to serve and to grow.
Stewardships are made to be so.

-Elder Ballard

The Greatest Miracle of All

From Elder M. Russell Ballard's remarks honoring the Crandall Canyon mine collapse
To the Tune: Come Ye Children of the Lord

There is one who knows us best.
He only can give true rest.
He knows every ounce of pain.
For us He suffered, was slain.

Our hearts won't be troubled, now
With fears flayed to rest, and how?
His love enfolds us with His peace.
May our love for Him increase.

We endure and weep the night.
Then joy comes with morning light.
He bears what ere shadows fall-
The great miracle for all.

He has borne all man's sorrows.
Our hope for bright tomorrows,
We know His love is so pure.
With faith we cope and endure.


The Miracle of the Holy Bible

Four thousand years of sacred history
The Bible was preserved by holy men
It gives account of Christ's words and ministry
They are found in the old and new testament

They were protected through the dark ages
Through the countless conflicts of generations
Yet, still testifies of Christ in its pages
Though there'd been many hands and translations

We owe so much for each man's inspired words
We owe so much to the many martyrs
Who served all their lives and made record
And, too, we revere those called the reformers

God does direct what His scriptures should say
He's whom we place our trust and confidence
We are blessed to have the bible today
And, it's not by chance or coincidence

Here we learn of the teachings of Jesus
Here love and obedience can increase
Honest study of holy words help us
On our quest towards happiness and peace

Tens of millions find God in the Bible
Here they find truth to feed and guide their faith
Their dream to have freedoms, were not idle
They saught to be led by God and not fate

When the bible went into the household
It helped each man to search which doctrines were true
Now more light and wisdom can and does unfold
Influenced by one who asked what to do

Prompted by words he read in the bible
He went alone to a grove, to God beseech
Now what happened next, there's no denial
God and Jesus came to Joseph to teach

Without the bible, where would mankind be?
It led Joseph, who was schooled for manhood
From golden plates, he began translating
Then God's church was restored and, too, priesthood

Now we've the most correct of any book
For it was preserved and protected also
Translated by seers, he used to look
With this companion works, the church does grow!

Now, we've another testament of Christ
As the world grows in knowledge of all kinds
We're thankful our father hears our cries
That to every humble seeker- truth he finds

The bible is a pillar of our faith
And is a powerful witness of the Savior
It witnesses anew, and God may be praised
For the Latter- Days, we have help to endure!

-Elder Ballard

Family- What Matters the Most, Lasts the Longest

What matters the most, lasts the longest
And with our families, we are strongest
It should be strengthened and up foremost
There is no question- love gives the most

When we've a conflict or a crisis
There is a lot that we must process
We're reminded that families connect
They are supportive, as they protect

This is even more true after life
As a husband longs to see his wife
And each spouse searches for their mother
For their siblings, and for their father

In the spirit world, there's no question
We'll need our families as we station
The prophet issued to all the world
A clarion call- stern in it's word

Some priorities shut the child out
As declined values confuse and doubt
Ahead of its time, and for our age
God's given counsel in simple page

As the notions of society
Contrast with all that they now should be
For the survival of the family
We must define it- ev'r so clearly

Marriage is solemn- wife and husband
One woman, one man- with wedding band
Gender has purpose, that's premortal
And is essential and eternal

A husband and wife, God has ordained
And calamnities rise when it's disdained
Couples now should live responsibly
With marriage vows of fidelity

Children should be reared or placed within
Honorable homes who've prayed for them
They are entitled to be cared for
As extended families lend support

As though a banner of liberty
This proclammation waves perfectly
It's for everyone- we're meant to be
Raised in honored homes commitedly

Parenting involves great sacrifice
When there's selfishness- who pays the price?
If there is a change- a "tolerance"
Who is brunted with the consequence?

Our precious children, are now confused
The family has changed- as pawns they're used
Our Heavenly Father stands with wisdom
He's proclaimed to the earthly kingdoms

The family's in need of scaffolding
Which comes from the prayers they are holding
And, weekly there should be an evening
Set aside for home and believing

Each member should feel they are cherished
And are known by their brother, Jesus
His message to all can't be denied
"Love one another-For you I've died!"

We must now measure, we must fulfill
And live according to Father's will
What matter's the most, lasts the longest
He's counseled families- where we're strongest

Elder M. Russell Ballard
What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest
November 2005 Ensign

Lifting, Bending, and Twisting

Lifting, bending, and twisting
Every day in their homes
A young mother's existing
To find for what she combs

Under the couch and loveseat
Are toys and books and things
Wherever the children meet
With them there's much each brings

Perhaps one day she can rest
While the children stay calm
And even though they are at breast
There's nothing in her palm

As she captures the moment
She sees her best reward
Her precious children are lent
And she is the steward

This world busily demands
And children know this too
Yet, a mother understands
And knows just what to do

There's not a more worthy role
Than that of motherhood
And though it takes its toll
She'd striving as she should

She relies on her instincts
As each child's so diff'rent
Though her daily tasks may stink
At home she is content

A child's in need of well-being
While in formative years
And thus must have a routine
Or are oft found in tears

And so there's times of frustration
As things are overlooked
She makes a correlation
And knows she's overbooked

Each family needs unstructured time
When they can laugh and play
That's when bonding becomes prime
And shining joys display

Every good thing is brought to pass
By small and simple things
Like moments in photograph
Can capture the heart strings

So when a daughter of God's giv'n
A day to spend her way
All her thoughts while away she's liv'n
Are of them- thus, she prays

This is how the church is preserved
And we must give her aid
For while her role is observed
Firm foundations are laid

What's the best use of her spare time?
That she draw from the well
And, that she enrich her life
In what she may excel