We All Possess the Gift

We all possess the gift
Of agency...to choose
To draw nigh to or darkly drift
From our Lord and His good news

For our each and every action
There's light to be responsible
And we ever have an obligation
To accept and be held accountable

Through consistent practice
Our standards can be set high
Unto greatness, with Christ-like service
Rejecting the self-absorbent life

Thus developing the character
Of one morally disciplined
Thereby following the exemplar
As His ideals are envisioned

Some turn from the laws of the Savior
Creating their own God unto disorder
There is naught to restrain their behavior
But, external controls put in order

Yet, can police and laws replace
Customs, traditions, and values
Can one civilize the human race
When it has fallen unto abuse

As the right hand steals from the left
And puts forth more regulations
There is but circumvention and debt
As each judges the other's education...

Such societies will struggle in vain
Until sin is denounced as sin
That moral discipline might rein
As a pantheon of civic virtues are brought in
-----
Moral discipline is taught in the home
Where our teachings come of our faith
That the commandments of God might be known
As a desire for truth becomes framed...

All of us experience temptations
As did the Savior, who gave them no heed
As we stay principled with dedication
From sin's exploration... we are freed!

Always and ever we must exercise discipline
Repenting oft, believing in Christ's atoning grace
It is our to inspire others if they will listen
To find help to deal with all that they face

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Moral Discipline
Ensign, November 2009, 105