Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Sight of the Temple


The sight of the temple
Stirs hope within
A search for my people
I must begin

Some day a lot of family names will be ready for Putnam County Tennessee.  Home to my Mom's family for generations.  Here is the best cemetery Database for this county.  http://www.tngenweb.org/cemeteries/index.php?function=searchtn

Saving Your Marriage


A damaged marriage is still precious
As a living, breathing thing
Through the miracle of Jesus
It's healing, He can bring

One to be shaken up
The other to see the light
To endure the bitter cup
And number our days aright


ublished on Jun 26, 2012 by 
A marriage, like a human life, is a precious, living thing. Spouses should exercise faith in Christ and love for each other to heal and strengthen their marriage relationship.  Jeffrey R. Holland



  1. aright - Wiktionary

    en.wiktionary.org/wiki/aright
    it is not easie we should so often settle our minds in so regular, so reformed, and so devout a seat, where indeed it ought to be, to pray aright and effectually: ...
  2. Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a ...

    bible.cc/psalms/90-12.htm
    To number our days aright let us know, And we bring the heart to wisdom. ... The prayer is, that God would instruct us to estimate our days aright: their number; ...

Tessa Winger - Life is Precious


Life is precious
as it was meant to be
Knowing God is with us
For all of eternity

I'm Chance Clarkson. I'm an outdoorsman and I'm a Mormon. Poem- More


Thanks for sharing what's complete and right
How you are being spiritually led
We need this ever more in our lives
More and more of God's love should be said

I know that God listens to what we say
And sometimes immediately shows it
He hears us, have faith remember to pray
Your knowledge of Him will grow bit by bit

Innocence in the Nursery

The veil is thin for these precious wee ones
and out of their own mouths we can be taught. 
That is why we start young to teach them, thus...
.Just listen to how they say, "Jesus". 

Time runs, for them, moment by moment, 
In a short lesson I marvel at a comment..
Truly their maturity beyond time shows, 
Through spirituality that innocently glows

Someone said that children in the nursery are too young for the simple lessons they receive.  Not by June.  They are amazing!  Some have taught me.  The manual is so inspired.



The veil is thin for these precious wee ones
and out of their own mouths we can be taught. 
That is why we start young to teach them, thus...
.Just listen to how they say the name "Jesus". 

Their maturity, beyond us all shows
As time runs, for them, moment by moment, 
They've maturity that innocently shows
Spiritually, in a blurt of a comment

that is when grown adults, drop their jaw
And recognize the inner workings of a child
Having just been wild...we are in awe
At what comes out- words pure and mild

My ExMorman Message Losing Faith and Holding On Patiently

Is it pain, is it pride?
Confusion reigned.  I took one side
I can only say one simple thing
God's love for me means everything


If faith is a path that weighs you 
Here are some suggestions of what to do

For now, in my celestial heart, it's just Him I see
Faith in the rest is a test... in life's journey

Let go, let God and be free
Live the faith, you will see
The seed can grow, if planted right
Seeking to be nourished by God's purest light

Oh, tender sheep
Once of the fold
For you I weep
And offer Christ to hold


That chip of pain
Can heal away
Through light you gain
But day by day





Naught a One

He crushed Himself upon the ground
And was greatly pressed there of
In His darkest moments He found
The meaning of perfect love

Selflessly, out of a promise
To man beyond the sands and sea
He came painfully to notice
What is truly found the worst in me

He, even, sweat out great drops of blood
And stained the very cloth He wore
Accepting, the pains of those crass with crud
Who caused the afflicted much, much more

Truly things came at Him from infinite directions
Even from the father of the vilest lies himself
As He took upon Him all our imperfections
And naught a one was denied as that last drop spilled


crud: noun:   any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant


naught: noun:   a quantity of no importance
Example: "It was all for naught"


What Are You Passionate About? Unto God, If You Please...

What are you passionate about?
Nature, family, and friends- what of these?
They reach into the soul, I have no doubt
For fulfillment, unto God, if you please

With nature, become connected with yourself
To what causes the heart to stir and mind to turn
From the earth's tranquil peace, new thoughts can swell
There to uncover, with the breeze, what you seek to learn

With family, in those sudden moments that are as breath
When you feel generations of love that sustains
Let this give you aspirations to be your best
And raise you to new heights where purpose reigns

In the bonds of friendship, come admissions
Of inner thoughts buried and hid
In vulnerability they give permission
To unbear wounds from something you did

Can you imagine the next step
Yours to take in this sacred space
If, in humility, to God you crept
Imagine the pleasure... the embrace


6.
if you please,
a.
if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fight the Good Fight

Fight the good fight
With faith in place.
Do what is right.
Finish the race.

Let go, all else
And persevere.
Seek the Lord's help.
Feel He is near.

 2 timothy 4:7, i have fought a good fight ... 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Church vs Gospel

How do you separate the gospel
From the Church and its people?
Find out what your testimony clings to
And hold to it in everything you do


For each there will always be some doubt
That is what individual faith is about
Each are given to testify of where they now stand
What they see and feel and know of the Lord's hand






I thought this an interesting read because we discussed what is church and what is gospel in our Relief Society meeting,.(We came up with a list from

Donald L. Hallstrom: 'The Gospel and the Church' @ 182nd LDS ...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_33S9dHUVcMar 31, 2012 - 11 min - Uploaded by jeraboo29
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom: 'The Gospel and the Church' from the 182nd Annual General Conference.

Frank95 wrote: Anytime religion is used as an institution it is corrupted. The clergy have avested interest in the church as an institution, rather than in spirituality and moral rectitude. They become shareholders in a corporation, religion becomes a shop, and their trade is to dominate the minds, and it seems the bodies, of the 'their flock' in the interest of their narrow interests. True ...
http://boardreader.com/thread/Christianity_Unplugged_Following_Jesus_B_4qljvX24qgvdqou42xj.html?o=10


Pride filled religion becomes a shop
A narrow self "interest" in the flock
When quantity is the measurement of good
Rather than spirituality and moral rectitude

Let us always separate the gospel
From the church as an institution
For it is God that makes all things possible
And consecrates tithes' distribution

Heavenly Father's plan is the good news
Selflessly, given through Jesus Christ
His church is a vessel for carrying truths,
And a vehicle that binds us with light

May His grace be upon us all
For healing and even joy
For love and unity, He does call
His living truths to enjoy





Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 4:30 By
stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
they spake the word of God with boldness.

4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of
one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he
possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the
things that were sold, 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet:
and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is,
being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the
country of Cyprus, 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money,
and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Always in the Middle




Where is a goal's end?
When was the beginning?
Time is but our friend...
For life is never ending

Being always in the middle
Of the moment helps us see
A defeat is never final
In the span of eternity

When we are always in the middle
We can pause for greater things,
We have courage in the battle,
And can make the dash of change

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Always in the Middle
Ensign, July 2012, 4

Put it Away

Put it away
That which is dark
Continually pray
Let goodness spark

A flash of light
Is all that you need
To lamp the night
And plant thoughts... to sleep

Safety is found
Peace fills the soul
Sleep comes around...
You awake whole

I was a bit of an insomniac last night.  Thinking of one million martyrs storming Jerusalem to make it their capitol... Prayer and the Book of Mormon restored me.  The Nook went dark and I had a thought: put it away, that which is dark... Which I wrote in the dark on the back of some paper I found in the dark. Interesting- this morning I discovered it was something I meant to read while in 2 Nephi.

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=4&num=1&id=90

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Expedient


It is expedient
that an atonement should be made
According to the great plan,
that path our Father laid
Or else mankind should perish,
lost forevermore
The infinite and eternal sacrifice
was made by our dear Lord


Posted: 23 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT
"For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made. For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice."

Abraham's Covenant

A covenant was made with God,
Lincoln knew he would live no longer.
He surrendered for us all, 
For righteousness, merit, and honor.  

God exacts a price on freedom,
And as a nation, to Him, we have been blind.
Let us repent for what we've done, 
Let us restore love, and seek to be more kind

Let us look for the good
In ourselves and each other
Restoring brotherhood
Let us serve one another


http://web.gbtv.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=22473741&topic_id=24584158&tcid=vpp_copy_22473741&v=3

belief.net:

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles recalled the meeting the same way Chase did. Lincoln called them together and said the slaves were to be freed. “He had, he said, made a vow, a covenant, that if God gave us the victory in the approaching battle (which had just been fought) he would consider it his duty to move forward in the cause of emancipation.” Lincoln knew his listeners might be skeptical or puzzled, but there it was. “We might think it strange, he said, but there were times when he felt uncertain how to act; that he had in this way submitted the disposal of matters when the way was not clear to his mind what he should do. God had decided this question in favor of the slave. He was satisfied he was right—was confirmed and strengthened by the vow and its results; his mind was fixed, his decision made.

Thirty years before, in the Age of Jackson, Tocqueville heard an American clergyman utter these words at a public gathering: “O Lord! Never turn thy face away from us; permit us always to be the most religious people as well as the most free.” In Lincoln’s understanding, God required, first, a guilelessness and purity of purpose, and in exchange would relieve the country of fear and sustain her through the fires of war, and the penance he was exacting. Then, and only then, might light come from darkness.


Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2006/05/Abraham-Lincolns-God.aspx#ixzz1yfZ4Xe36

LAWYERS AS HEALERS


Lawyers are our healers
And advocates from strife
Where they are a good example
Personifying Christ

Being the peace givers
Who can resolve conflict
And for some- deliverers
From what e'er does afflict

Always they take upon them
Another's burden and pain
Applying laws to problems
Teaching what is best to gain

Lawyers must point the way
And present the evidence
Based on what's key to say
They instill sheer confidence

If you are a lawyer
And this does not sound like you
You are but a liar
And a hypocrite too

It's time to stop acting
And learn from the Lord Himself
With His laws as your backing
For we are all in need of His help

James E. Faust

Christianity- Following Jesus in Word and Deed

Jesus Christ is the Son of Man
The Redeemer of mankind
I want you to know above all
He is always on my mind

Perfectly, He suffered for us
He died, was buried, and rose again
I know He is a voice to trust
Always, I think of Him as a friend

I want to follow Him in word and deed
And give service in His name
I want to help those who are in need
As He has done for me the same

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/christianity-following-jesus-in-word-and-deed

Friday, June 22, 2012

Being Fitted

Through each trial, I have benefited
From blessings given with perfect love
For greater things I am being fitted
To eternal things above

You, too, are being fitted
For greater things above
Having benefited
From what strength is made of

Through faith in Jesus Christ
All we face can be a blessing
Like unto peaks we climb
There are rules for stressing

Endure, well, the climb
On Christ's solid footing
Reaching high, all the time
While praying and repenting

Mountains to Climb
President Henry B. Eyring
Ensign, May 2012, 23

Mountains to Climb- Out of a Desire- The Personal Test



Out of a desire
To know of strength
To prayer, I retired
And asked, at length...

Humbly, not to be blessed
But to feel the Lord's hand
To be given a test
And become something grand

Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
The answers were near
I felt in me... promise

Then, within days
There was no denying
Of the Lord's ways
....a moment, defining

My heart nearly burst
Tears swelled and I prayed
The challenge, the worst
On my knees, I stayed

So personal my need,
My trial, my tutor
It rooted faith's seed
Deeply to my Savior

I sought for the balm
Found of Gilead
Peace came, I felt calm
I knew I had been led

I resolved there to climb
Each mountain I'd face
Though lonely, at times
With pain to embrace

I wanted to endure
And become something great
Through faith I was sure
God's love would compensate

I know bounds are set
To what can combine
I know too, to repent
To hold on, realign

The rod of His mouth
His wrath, and His anger
Have awoke me from doubt
To this, I am no stranger

Once suffering sore
To rise through and above
To come to the Lord
And witness His love

Where wisdom unfolds
From the choices then made
With a foundation of gold
Where, more can be laid

The refining process
Is painful, indeed
But this marks my progress
And grounds me in need

All that is in place, surely must cure
To be of service
To bring peace that will last and endure
For a higher purpose

Much is required
I must remain humble
For faith can expire
And belief can crumble

The heartache... pain, is as death
I feel polished for my role
Crying out, gasping for breath
And...I find the Lord, speaks to my soul

Yes, I know that my strength
Is not of my own
For without Him, I would stray
And fall, all alone

Who can I forgive?
And share of His light?
My best, His to give
Wholesome and bright

Mountains to Climb
President Henry B. Eyring
Ensign, May 2012, 23

Pondering at 3:00 am (grieving- to be honest) what I had written on the Ensign I lost at the airport.  Rushing left me unaware, I have lost what I had hoped to share. Maybe it was found and not thrown away.  In Las Vegas, to travel or to stay.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The Light of Christ Awaits Us All

The Light of Christ awaits us all
To brighten thoughts to Heaven's call
Each choice we make and thought we think
Can help us of Him to purely drink

The narrow way is straight and true
And largely depends on what we do
The Lord awaits to teach and bless
That we with Him might live our best

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling - Elder L. Tom Perry


Father you are my anchor
When the waves grow high
Steadying me from danger
As what I face does try

Father you are what grounds me
To the truths I should hold
Though life's storms are pounding
I feel your courage, bold

Mormon Messages has 16 videos dedicated to fatherhood.  Put them on autoplay, sit back and be honored.  Fathers, you are what grounds us!

Raising The Flag



The American flag unites us all
with a hope that sets us apart.
Of honor, our rights, it waves forth to call
and stirs aspirations within our hearts.

No matter what we must go through,
no matter where we have been,
it raises our heads, high, anew
with fresh courage to begin...

It reminds us of commitments
and that of our servicemen,
To our minds, freely, it comments
"Good always wins in the end"
(For God always wins in the end)

Personally, it will always remind me
of a picture of Demara standing outside our home after Adam died and
of our forever folded flag,
of two of our boys becoming eagles,
of flag raising with my cub scouts,
and of Mitt along with others saying our pledge at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as invited, honored guests.
  Go Mitt!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

We Are Who We Are

We are who we are, by far
And any one of us can leave a scar
We are here to learn and grow
And love one another, with flaws in tow

What are we to do with these shadows of our past
That as we age, time slows and they largely cast?
Talk frankly of them to all they can reach
That the lesson be learned they are to teach


Talking with a fellow empty nester of regrets in how we raised our children.

The Fabric of Family is Worth Everything

Our nation's fabric of family
Lies shredded in half and worn
But I'll still defend it, happily
As it was of God she was born

Some would brush two hundred years aside
And put what's secular on stage
But for all who now live and have died
This is but a war against Satan to wage

Oh Mother! Oh Father!  You are the gold
That still shimmers on that frayed rag
The promise, our future you now hold
Remember when to your parents, you ran!

Run now! Run quickly like the wind!
And defend that golden family of the past
To all you can, this message send
It is only under God, our good nation will last!

Small and Simple Things

Small and simple things
Reach into our hearts
Peace and comfort brings
Wisdom that imparts

Pondering June 2012 visiting teaching message

Build Upon Small Habits

Build upon small habits
And improve bit by bit
For the little things matter
In time, to benefit

Line upon line we learn
In increments...for success
Hold on, endure, discern
Above all your sins, address

Work Past the Test

Work past the test
And continue on
Serve well to bless
Where you are now strong

The test is not the end
But opens doors for more
As light that grows within
Shines brighter than before

He Wrote in Sand and Stone

Why did the Lord write in the sand
The judgment men had sought Him for
That the wind might erase it as
It was remembered by Him no more

Only in stone the laws He wrote
That we might come to Him to live them
For in our strength we cannot boast
As what we see are the laws of heaven

He who writes in sand and stone
Is our loving, redeeming Savior
He perfectly did atone
That, with our God, we might find favor

As I Saw the Trays that Lie Before

As I saw the trays that lie before
I felt a witness all anew
Of the sacredness of our Lord
And that He shares of Himself too

To take His body and His blood
Took on new meaning to me
A wash of gratitude in me did flood
And through new eyes I see

He knows us all and wait for us
To seek Him again and again
For we must learn to humbly trust
That He is indeed our best friend

With His Spirit, we take His name
And His countenance upon us
Truly, then, we are not the same
As we are numbered with Jesus

And with His light, we are His hands,
And His voice, to spread His word
That more might hear and understand
His glad message to be heard

Praying for Strength to Overcome My Trials

Praying for strength to overcome
My trials, I did submit
Above all things to be one,
With the Lord, as He sees fit

Reading a prophet's comments
I felt pure testimony bearing down
Warning of my predicament
Offering deliverance to be found

The boldness of his words, I heard
Such that I was honest with myself
And prepared to make much effort
So that I might have the Savior's help



Monday, June 11, 2012

The Mind is Brightened

The mind is brightened
By the light we seek
To become frightened
Our thoughts are but bleak

Stimulate your mind
With prisms of pleasure
All the colors we find
Are the Earth's treasures

Attitude

Gratitude
My heart is full, but of treasure 
Life is good 
So blessed I am beyond measure 

World Record Female Bodybuilder age- 75

When her sister died
Everything went down
Anxiety tried
Till a goal was found

It is never too late
To get your body fit
Do not hesitate
For you will benefit

Father I Know Just What You Need

Father, I know just what you need
So relax with this fresh air to breathe
Please know, your gift did not break the bank
And the itchy eyes from the allergens will leave

Happy Father's Day!

I bought a hepa filter and ziptied it to a box fan
To the back so the fan stays clean and can be vacuumed for maintenance.
I hope the itchy eyes will get some relief....
I read it is 90 % the effectiveness of the $800 variety!

The Determined Father

Of a father, much is required
Determination being the first
For this calling will never expire
And you will see the best and the worst

Durable
Enthusiastic
Truthful
Energetic
Righteous
Merciful
Interested
Noble
Entertaining
Diligent

acrostic qualities of a father

Glands Work Best With Movement

Glands work best with movement
And the spine supplies your needs
Move around as you are meant
And see where exercise leads

http://www.faqs.org/sports-science/Ha-Ja/Hormonal-Response-to-Exercise.html

Knowledge

Knowledge comes to a focused brain
That gathers, builds, lights, and strains

Sunday, June 10, 2012

As Contention Departs

As contention departs
We feel the love of God
Melt into our hearts
And replace what has gone

Then through this forsaking
There is a newness of life
A spiritual reawakening
Without the barriers of strife

Always step aside
And ask for things to pause
When emotions override
We fight with frightened claws

Thus, when; higher thinking
Becomes compromised
Synapses start shrinking
And transmitters cannot bind

Wait for this to pass
To allow again the bond
That was meant to last
Where the heart and God is found

Venting into Thoughts

I caught myself venting
In repetitive thought
Thus I was preventing
Forgetting as I ought

The emotions that were real
Linger around to make sense
But in order to learn and heal
I must put thoughts to them, hence

I have learned that "harping" over things is not really thinking at all- but being limbic and recycling emotions.

When I Find I Am In Need- Prayer

When I find I am in need
With my heart sinking low
I know to get on my knees
And ask the Lord to know...

What would He have me do?
Is this a trial to grow?
Or relearn anew
What I should already know?

Or perhaps I should let
This moment be my friend
To serve another and  forget
My troubles till they end

Build a Boat of Faith

Build a boat of faith
To cross the floods of life
Make it tightly framed
And avoid doubt and strife

Father's Day Toolbox for the New Daddy

What should a brand new father have
To maintain a growing home?
But some simple tools ready at hand
That are great to use and own

A hammer that's strong to build
Whatever needs to be in place
Plus a putty knife and brush
For what demands a patient face

Pliers and a wrench
To replace and restore
A ruler made to stretch
And measure what's in store

The parenting tips for a father
Are much like the tools he owns
Time and attention will take him farther
Than ignoring what daily grows

See him: fixing, scraping, prying, and nudging
And making the best of what he has?
Father is building the strength for judging
What he'll need next as parenting demands

What better thing to do for a father to be
Than to throw him some manpower
So he will have all the right tools ready
For what comes after the baby shower

craft card:  trace the tools- a hammer, putty knife, brush, pliers, wrench, tape measurer, and glue them inside a folded paper in the shape of a trapeziod. glue a red handle to the top.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Rescued by Christ

When I was an idiot
No one "put me down"
I made trouble a lot
Till I became found

I turned myself in
To make right my ways
In prison I found Him
Through the words He says

In truth, I surrendered
For a better life
Once wild and injured
I found Jesus Christ

Published on Jun 5, 2012 by
British falconer, George O'Neill, shares his story of how he was rescued by Christ.

We Part to Meet Again

We part to meet again
Eternally, my friend
The hands clasp in belief
Their sorrow to be brief


Meridian Magazine - Becoming the Seed of Abraham - Page 2 - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Viewshttp://ldsmag.com/church/article/10955#.T9At11o23pM.blogger

The Lamb will Return

The lamb will return
When the fig tree springs to life
Nigh the season's turn

Haiku poem
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

Jesus told us this is a sign of his second coming. Matthew 24:32-33Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (V.31) “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Father By Divine Design

Father, by divine design
You preside over the home.
This calling, for eternity,
Is the closest to our Father's known

Help me learn from my mistakes
As for the world I prepare
With the courage to do what it takes
To be successful here

Monday, June 4, 2012

Gossip

I've got the dirt on you
And can't wait to spread it
Watch how it changes too
As others dare to edit

Gossip catches you at your worst
And hands its news to your foes
Even if you are not the first
How their celebration grows

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Book of Mormon - Mormon & Moroni

Having touched the Lord one by one
Having looked upon the lord one on one
Their seed forgot all they had learned
And from the Lord completely turned

Lost were their tender hearts
And the hunger for what God imparts
This nation's downfall was pride and doubt
Faith and good works were not about

Their record, yet, remains today
Reminding us of the one sure way
The path where the dear Lord is found
To be, by Him, sweetly endowed


Participate

You can sit and attend the show
Or be a part of the final act
There's good and great things to know
As the end of days are action packed

We will not be the only actors
Good people are needed everywhere
As good against evil factors
Preparations must be made with care

The Savior will be coming
With great glory and fire
Look to what you're becoming
And for His return desire

The Truths of the Gospel Prevail

The truths of the gospel prevail
Though trials come with a fury
With our talents we will come out well
As they are our strengths for enduring

From the Vilest Torment To the Sweetest Moment

I felt the vilest of torment
In the gal of bitterness
And I vowed from that moment
To flee from my wickedness

I prayed while racked in pain
Encircled by the chains of death
Then... my limbs gained new strength
Such that I will never forget

I tasted exceeding joy to savor
Spiritually, as one born again
Through the fruit of renewed labors
I now enjoy the Spirit as my friend

It's through our very senses
That the Savior teaches us
And as we escape all pretenses
We experience sweet joy, thus


Alma 36:17-19
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

Call Me By Any Name

Call me by any name
You have my permission
But please do not profane
Or call me not a Christian

I belong to His church
He lives and answers prayers
Oft in His words, I search
And I feel the love He shares

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Never Just One

Whenever the gospel is shared
It is never to just one
For a family then is saved
As more temple work is done


                             Was It Worth It?

By Elder David F. Evans
Of the Seventy
Ensign, May 2012

The Secular Competes

The secular competes
With what is sacred to love
The later completes
Us to Father above

We are more than nature
Applied to reason
Our Spirits can mature
Earth is but a season


To Hold Sacred

  • By Elder Paul B. Pieper
  • April 2012 General Conference
.... The opposite of sacred is profane or secular—that which is temporal or worldly. The... ...our attention and priorities. Knowledge of the secular is essential for our daily temporal living.... ...the choice to place the sacred above the secular...

For Greater Glory | In Theaters 6/1


Heavenly Father is the guardian
Of everyone's well-being
There is nothing more worth guarding than
Our path homeward, welcoming

When all you have is belief
To protect the rights we all share
Through faith, there will come relief
And leadership to get you there

For your lives and your children
You must fight to the end
Calling on Father in Heaven
For blessing to descend

With what weapons you've at hand
Pledge to fight for all that's right
God will help each bullet land
As you pray with all your might

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The Captain of the Soul- Invictus/ The Soul's Captain by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Invictus by William E. Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
"The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"


"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before
By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints

I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.

Kelly Miller

153 Countries Visited! June 2015


Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No.CountryDate of Last VisitPercent & Number of Visits ↓
1
United States
June 15, 2015
82.86%25,281
2
United Kingdom
June 14, 2015
2.61%795
3
Canada
June 13, 2015
2.42%737
4
Australia
June 13, 2015
1.81%551
5
Philippines
June 14, 2015
1.35%412
6
New Zealand
June 14, 2015
0.99%303
7
India
June 14, 2015
0.79%241
8
Brazil
June 14, 2015
0.58%176
9
Germany
May 15, 2015
0.49%151
10
Mexico
June 3, 2015
0.40%121
11
South Africa
June 8, 2015
0.34%105
12
Russian Federation
Apr 20, 2015
0.26%80
13
France
June 3, 2015
0.21%64
14
Malaysia
June 5, 2015
0.14%44
15
Czech Republic
Apr 17, 2015
0.14%42
16
Pakistan
Mar 21, 2015
0.13%41
17
Spain
Apr 28, 2015
0.13%41
18
Italy
June 8, 2015
0.13%39
19
Netherlands
May 28, 2015
0.12%38
20
Europe
June 11, 2015
0.11%35
21
Indonesia
May 18, 2015
0.11%35
22
Cote D'Ivoire
May 17, 2015
0.11%35
23
Japan
Apr 17, 2015
0.11%33
24
Singapore
May 28, 2015
0.11%33
25
United Arab Emirates
Apr 25, 2015
0.10%32
26
Argentina
Apr 27, 2015
0.10%31
27
Korea, Republic of
Feb 1, 2015
0.10%31
28
-
May 10, 2015
0.10%31
29
Thailand
Apr 5, 2015
0.10%30
30
Ireland
May 19, 2015
0.10%29
31
Jamaica
June 1, 2015
0.09%28
32
Turkey
June 14, 2015
0.09%28
33
Trinidad and Tobago
May 18, 2015
0.09%26
34
Sweden
May 8, 2015
0.09%26
35
Guatemala
May 5, 2015
0.08%24
36
Denmark
May 10, 2015
0.08%23
37
Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2015
0.07%20
38
Nigeria
Apr 4, 2015
0.07%20
39
Hong Kong
Apr 18, 2015
0.07%20
40
Colombia
May 29, 2015
0.07%20
41
Chile
Mar 23, 2015
0.06%19
42
Finland
Mar 25, 2015
0.06%19
43
Taiwan
Mar 28, 2015
0.06%18
44
Romania
May 17, 2015
0.06%18
45
Fiji
Feb 27, 2015
0.06%17
46
Ghana
May 8, 2015
0.06%17
47
Belgium
May 30, 2015
0.05%16
48
Switzerland
Apr 12, 2015
0.05%16
49
Poland
Apr 6, 2015
0.05%15
50
American Samoa
Apr 10, 2015
0.05%14
51
Ecuador
Feb 23, 2015
0.05%14
52
Serbia
Mar 10, 2015
0.05%14
53
Austria
Apr 8, 2015
0.04%13
54
Senegal
Nov 24, 2014
0.04%13
55
Norway
June 1, 2015
0.04%13
56
Uruguay
Aug 18, 2014
0.04%12
57
Peru
Apr 13, 2015
0.04%12
58
Portugal
Apr 6, 2015
0.04%12
59
Kenya
Oct 29, 2014
0.04%12
60
Tonga
Dec 9, 2014
0.04%11
61
Dominican Republic
Mar 12, 2015
0.04%11
62
Hungary
Feb 16, 2015
0.03%10
63
Guyana
Apr 28, 2015
0.03%10
64
Bangladesh
Jan 19, 2015
0.03%9
65
Algeria
Feb 5, 2015
0.03%9
66
Kuwait
Mar 30, 2015
0.03%9
67
Egypt
Apr 4, 2015
0.03%9
68
Belize
May 8, 2015
0.03%9
69
Costa Rica
Feb 4, 2015
0.03%8
70
Bahamas
Jan 9, 2015
0.03%8
71
Israel
Feb 27, 2015
0.03%8
72
Ukraine
Jan 24, 2015
0.03%8
73
Asia/Pacific Region
June 9, 2015
0.03%8
74
Honduras
Feb 6, 2015
0.02%7
75
Cyprus
Mar 21, 2015
0.02%7
76
Guam
Apr 10, 2015
0.02%7
77
Greece
June 2, 2015
0.02%7
78
China
Dec 16, 2014
0.02%7
79
Panama
Apr 7, 2015
0.02%6
80
Morocco
Mar 3, 2015
0.02%6
81
Sri Lanka
Sept 28, 2014
0.02%6
82
Iraq
Feb 25, 2015
0.02%6
83
Togo
June 6, 2015
0.02%6
84
Botswana
May 7, 2015
0.02%6
85
El Salvador
Apr 23, 2015
0.02%5
86
Vietnam
Oct 30, 2014
0.02%5
87
Cook Islands
June 3, 2015
0.02%5
88
Bulgaria
Oct 27, 2014
0.02%5
89
Lithuania
June 23, 2014
0.02%5
90
Slovakia
Jan 19, 2015
0.02%5
91
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mar 23, 2015
0.02%5
92
French Polynesia
Nov 23, 2014
0.02%5
93
Bahrain
Nov 11, 2014
0.02%5
94
Slovenia
Jan 16, 2015
0.02%5
95
Grenada
Mar 10, 2015
0.02%5
96
Qatar
Jan 15, 2015
0.02%5
97
Saint Lucia
May 8, 2015
0.02%5
98
Puerto Rico
Feb 27, 2015
0.01%4
99
Tunisia
Jan 23, 2015
0.01%4
100
Malta
Mar 22, 2015
0.01%4
101
Croatia
Jan 20, 2015
0.01%4
102
New Caledonia
Jan 13, 2015
0.01%4
103
Barbados
Apr 29, 2014
0.01%4
104
Azerbaijan
Jan 14, 2015
0.01%4
105
Moldova, Republic of
Nov 29, 2014
0.01%3
106
Lebanon
Feb 11, 2014
0.01%3
107
Zimbabwe
July 23, 2014
0.01%3
108
Benin
Feb 19, 2015
0.01%3
109
Antigua and Barbuda
Aug 1, 2014
0.01%3
110
Isle of Man
Dec 20, 2014
0.01%3
111
Bhutan
June 8, 2015
0.01%3
112
Venezuela
May 14, 2014
0.01%3
113
Georgia
Mar 3, 2015
0.01%2
114
Namibia
Oct 22, 2014
0.01%2
115
Armenia
Jan 12, 2015
0.01%2
116
Virgin Islands, U.S.
June 20, 2014
0.01%2
117
Jordan
May 19, 2015
0.01%2
118
Mozambique
June 23, 2014
0.01%2
119
Uganda
Aug 4, 2014
0.01%2
120
Marshall Islands
Jan 28, 2015
0.01%2
121
Mauritius
Feb 20, 2015
0.01%2
122
Oman
May 12, 2014
0.01%2
123
Curacao
Apr 29, 2015
0.01%2
124
Sierra Leone
Apr 26, 2015
0.01%2
125
Samoa
Nov 1, 2013
0.01%2
126
Saint Kitts and Nevis
June 30, 2013
0.01%2
127
Macau
July 18, 2014
0.01%2
128
Albania
Aug 17, 2014
0.01%2
129
Dominica
Mar 12, 2013
0.01%2
130
Ethiopia
Jan 8, 2015
0.01%2
131
Estonia
Mar 20, 2015
0.01%2
132
Cape Verde
May 27, 2013
0.00%1
133
Cayman Islands
July 27, 2014
0.00%1
134
Cambodia
Sept 16, 2013
0.00%1
135
Myanmar
July 18, 2014
0.00%1
136
Lesotho
Jan 12, 2013
0.00%1
137
Mongolia
Mar 14, 2015
0.00%1
138
Zambia
Apr 22, 2013
0.00%1
139
Montenegro
Nov 19, 2014
0.00%1
140
Kazakhstan
Jan 9, 2015
0.00%1
141
Nicaragua
May 29, 2014
0.00%1
142
Paraguay
Mar 10, 2013
0.00%1
143
Haiti
Feb 1, 2015
0.00%1
144
Timor-Leste
Feb 21, 2013
0.00%1
145
Iceland
June 20, 2014
0.00%1
146
Aruba
Jan 9, 2014
0.00%1
147
Liberia
Jan 3, 2014
0.00%1
148
Northern Mariana Islands
Oct 9, 2014
0.00%1
149
Gibraltar
Jan 27, 2014
0.00%1
150
Swaziland
June 16, 2014
0.00%1
151
Jersey
Mar 30, 2013
0.00%1
152
Niue
Nov 30, 2014
0.00%1
153
Latvia

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