In Ancient Times Came a Balm- The Balm of Gilead

In ancient times came a balm
For healing and for calm
From out of Gilead it came
And was asked for by name

In our day of disorders
Some are helped with drugs prescribed
Yet, much can be prevented
If we tend to what's inside

For our good health there are rules
Rest and exercise are useful tools
For maintained quality of lifestyles
And for preventing growing stress piles

But, this does not seem to be enough
Our minds can make life real tough
And how stuck thoughts will manifest
Into ill health all of us can attest

My message is an appeal
To those who feel at ill
My message is a kind plea
To those who know not peace

There is a spirit in man
Which can become ill and sad
And as we are prone to sin
Obedience is the best medicine

If you suffer from worry
Or cannot control fury
All these negative thoughts
Clutter up like junk lots

Put up a "no dumping" sign
And to God's laws realign
What's inside can be healed
As our bad thoughts are stilled

And the cure's found in prayer
May we oft be found there
To find soothing and healing
And be spiritually feeling

If we've a troubling heartache
Or are burdened by a mistake
Prayer's as though a transfusion
To ease and end confusion

And those "oughts" that were in control
Seem petty as we're freed from their toll
And the beam lifts from our eyes
So we see beautiful skies

There is strength as we gain understanding
That the Lord's inside us for our standing
And as the Prince of Peace, He knows our pain
And would that we pray and take on His name

The more we've His Spirit and the Comforter
We are more eased of disease and disorder
Forgive, forget and leave it alone
And, be grateful that our Lord did atone

There is a healing balm
That has to be applied
Our Lord can heal and calm
And, through prayer it is supplied

Boyd K. Packer
The Balm of Gilead
New Era, Aug 1979 36

Jer. 8: 22
Is there no balm in Gilead;
is there no physician there?
why then is not the health
of the daughter of my people recovered?

[Verse 1] In ancient days a balm was brought For healing, quiet, peace of thought From Gilead it came by name A tender cure, a steady flame In days of trouble, some are helped By medicines prescribed with care Yet much may turn before it starts If we attend the inner heart [Pre-Chorus] Rest and movement, measured days Can ease the strain and clear the way But still the mind can make life hard And leave its mark upon the heart [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Verse 2] My message is an open hand To those who ache and cannot stand A gentle plea for those who know No rest beneath the weight they hold There is a spirit in us all That can grow weary, grieve, and fall And knowing how our choices wound We seek the path where peace is found [Pre-Chorus] If worry grips, if anger stays If thoughts crowd in and cloud our days Set out a sign: let nothing harm And turn again toward what is right [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Bridge] The thoughts that ruled us lose their hold As truth makes room within the soul The beam lifts from our tired eyes And opens up the spacious skies We learn the strength of understanding The Lord is near, our sure upstanding Prince of Peace, who knows our pain We call on Him, and breathe again [Verse 3] When heartache lingers, when mistakes Have left us bowed beneath their weight Prayer is a transfusion, grace That brings the scattered thoughts to place Forgive, forget, and leave it there Give thanks, and let the burden clear Our Lord has borne what we could not His mercy holds the healing spot [Final Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm Through prayer, the gift is supplied [Outro] Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm There is a healing balm

Words Alone Cannot Convey

Words alone cannot convey
What I'm feeling in my heart
So overcome with love today
Born of Spirit that imparts

Its voice is not loud 

Tumultuous or harsh

There is no thunder

Just perfect mildness

That is still and small

Soft that it might enter

Whispering truths, that help me learn,
Teaching me things which I should do
While piercing my soul that my heart burns
As I feast on Christ's words anew

Its voice is not loud 

Tumultuous or harsh

There is no thunder

Just perfect mildness

That is still and small

Soft that it might enter

I strive and pray to understand
What is being taught that I might grow
As, never with a wandering hand
Will living waters instantly flow

Its voice is not loud 

Tumultuous or harsh

There is no thunder

Just perfect mildness

That is still and small

Soft that it might enter

thoughts from:
Youth Gems
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The Voice of the Spirit


"The voice of the Spirit is described in the scriptures as being neither loud nor harsh, not a voice of thunder, neither a voice of great tumultuous noise, but rather as still and small, of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it can pierce even the very soul and cause the heart to burn. The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting."
Boyd K. Packer
How Does the Spirit Speak to Us?
New Era, Feb. 2010, 3

Topics: Holy Ghost

Circling the Hemispheres- Say the Word "Temple"

Circling the hemispheres
Our brain sends messages
As we see, think, feel, and hear
Unto our inner edges

Upon the left a word's said anew
And on the right emotion's felt
That in the forefront it is processed through
Till a need for action's felt

As we are moved then more to do
The word circles again
To light us up all anew
As an eternal friend

What word in us could shower
And fill us up with such a need?
Flowing through us with power
The word "temple" -holy indeed

All those who are addicted
Bypass this trail of thought
And the forefront is afflicted
In fact it's used for naught

They in deed have self inflicted
Wounds so thoughts cannot chart
But, when faith is reinspected
Emotions clear a path to start

The forefront lights anew
And the past is then inspected
That remorse might then flow through
As the conscience is detected

Those who pray and mediate
Will find strengths theirs to own
As in truth this activates
The best part of the brain known

Those in constant stress
Lead the brain to confusion
And bypass being impressed
For the forefront's in exclusion

Fear, too, shuts off this path
And gone is organized thought
To be stuck where you're at
Till with prayer it is fought

This is where gender is schooled
And our character is developed
That as we work and strive for good
Our talents light with love enveloped

thoughts from-
A Brain Gone Wrong
Dr. Dean Belnap
It is so interesting to read about the
development of the forefront of our brain
and the importance of family, baptism at 8,
all the youth programs, the 12 step program,
the performance of conscience, and the ability
to learn from mistakes all start to make sense

Boyd K. Packer
The Temple, the Priesthood
Ensign, May 1993, 18

Say the word temple. Say it quietly and reverently. Say it over and over again. Temple. Temple. Temple. Add the word holy. Holy Temple. Say it as though it were capitalized, no matter where it appears in the sentence.

Temple. One other word is equal in importance to a Latter-day Saint. Home. Put the words holy temple and home together, and you have described the house of the Lord!

May God grant that we may be worthy to enter there and receive the fulness of the blessings of His priesthood, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

please click on the title to go to lds.org for summaries of talks on the temple

The Temple Lifts Us Exalts Us and Stands as a Beacon for All to See

The temple lifts us, exalts us, 

And stands as a beacon for all to see

Yes, it points us towards celestial glory

Our goal for eternity

At the temple:

The dust settles from our view

The fog and haze clearly lifts

We can find our way anew

Past our problems to life's gifts

The temple is a peaceful, sacred place, 

Set apart from the burdens that we know

We find solemn covenants to embrace

Here the blessings of family sweetly grow

The baptismal font rests on 12 oxen

Like unto Israel's days long gone

The opportunity for us has been given

To do the work for our kin passed on

In ordinance room we can review

God's plan of happiness for us

Here we gain sweet impressions, too

Such that tears or words cannot express

The Celestial room is but a glimpse

Of eternal families, living in love

From the peace and  harmony one can sense

The presence of the Father and the Son, above

In the temple we wear the brightest white

Symbolically, to show purity

Temporarily we leave the world behind

And experience serenity

All I could remember from a talk today was the fog lifts.  I googled this and went straight to the source.  Isn't the internet wonderful?  Click on the above title and it should take you directly to lds.org...


"The temple lifts us, exalts us, stands as a beacon for all to see, and points us toward celestial glory."

"At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can ‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known."  President Boyd K. Packer  A Consecrated Temple

Quiet House of Love

[Verse 1] The temple lifts us, calls us higher, A beacon shining clear and bright; It turns our hearts toward heavenly glory, And guides our steps toward endless light. [Chorus] Here we find our way anew, Past the burdens, past the fear; Peaceful blessings gather near, Sacred promises draw us through. Here our hearts are made serene, Here our hope and faith grow strong; In this quiet house of love, We remember where we belong. [Verse 2] The dust settles from our vision, The fog and haze are lifted clean; Set apart from earthly sorrow, We see the gifts that wait unseen. [Verse 3] Solemn covenants we embrace here, Family blessings gently grow; In a place of peace and mercy, Love becomes the path we know. [Chorus] Here we find our way anew, Past the burdens, past the fear; Peaceful blessings gather near, Sacred promises draw us through. Here our hearts are made serene, Here our hope and faith grow strong; In this quiet house of love, We remember where we belong. [Verse 4] Round the font, twelve oxen carry Memories of Israel long ago; Work is offered for our kindred, Love across the ages flows. [Verse 5] In the ordinance room we ponder God’s great plan for joy and peace; Tender impressions fill our spirits, Wordless tears become release. [Bridge] And the celestial room gives vision Of eternal families in love; Harmony surrounds our hearts there, Like the Father’s peace above. [Verse 6] Dressed in white, we show devotion, Leaving worldly cares behind; For a little while, in stillness, We experience peace of mind. [Final Chorus] Here we find our way anew, Past the burdens, past the fear; Peaceful blessings gather near, Sacred promises draw us through. Here our hearts are made serene, Here our hope and faith grow strong; In this quiet house of love, We remember where we belong. [Outro] The temple lifts us, calls us higher, Toward eternal life and light.

Satan Seeks Control- Choose the Light

Satan seeks to control
Our minds and actions
To confuse our role
And create distractions

But safety is assured
As we remember who we are
God's children! Precious beyond measure!

We have what we need to take us far!

Happiness is found
When we do not despair
But let the spirit abound
Holding to the rod with care

[Verse 1] Satan seeks to control Our minds and actions To confuse our role And create distractions [Pre-Chorus] But safety is assured As we remember who we are [Chorus] God's children, precious beyond measure We have what we need to take us far God's children, held in holy shelter We can choose the light wherever we are [Verse 2] Happiness is found When we do not despair But let the spirit abound Holding to the rod with care [Bridge] When the road feels uncertain And the answers seem far We will stand firm and remember Whose beloved children we are [Final Chorus] God's children, precious beyond measure We have what we need to take us far God's children, held in holy shelter We can choose the light wherever we are [Outro] We can choose the light wherever we are

Counsel to Youth
President Boyd K. Packer
Ensign November 2011

"You are precious beyond measure....
We know from the scriptures that there was a war in heaven and that Lucifer rebelled and, with his followers, “was cast out into the earth.”2 He is determined to disrupt our Heavenly Father’s plan and seeks to control the minds and actions of all. This influence is spiritual, and he “is abroad in the land.”3

"But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear."

High Peak Banner

Verse 1] After hiking as far as they could The apostles and the prophet stood High above the valley Their new home With God’s blessings No longer to roam To a walking stick They tied a cloth On a high peak They waved it aloft As an ensign to all From the storm A raised standard Of works to perform [Pre-Chorus] Here was the place That the Savior chose The blossoming desert A unique rose Each pioneer Had survived circumstance Now the cause of Zion Could advance [Chorus] Raise the banner high Raise it high The Lord is our refuge Our defense Light the path ahead Light the path For our fellow man For our inheritance Raise the banner high Raise it high If we do our best We will stand [Verse 2] The gospel message Is now ours to preach To our neighbors Our example can reach Like the pioneers Who had much taken We, through our trials Gain faith unshaken If we are doing The best that we can We can light a path For our fellow man As a candle placed Upon a high peak Our flame can burn bright For all who may seek [Bridge] We must not attack Or turn flighty But in faith Pray to our Almighty Hold us steady When the wild winds blow Teach our hands Where to build and go [Chorus] Raise the banner high Raise it high The Lord is our refuge Our defense Light the path ahead Light the path For our fellow man For our inheritance Raise the banner high Raise it high If we do our best We will stand

Healed!

When our body heals
It can leave a scar.
What's left, one feels
Only healing so far.
In sin our spirits hurt
But, it can all go away
Through the atonement, first
We are made new that day.

Pondering President Packer's talk

Now I am not sure which one...Probably the first one.

 But, isn't it amazing to think that the atonement can completely spiritually heal us!

The Plan of Happiness - Boyd K. Packer

Boyd K. Packer teaches about marriage, the power of procreation, ... and exalted physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings associated with the word love. ... bodies, when the repentance process is complete, no scars remain because of the  ..

The Balm of Gilead - Boyd K. Packer

Boyd K. Packer. Of the ... That name became symbolic for the power to soothe and heal. ... Even though we have a serious physical ailment, we can be spiritually  ...

Spiritual Crocodiles - Boyd K. Packer

Sister Packer and I were assigned to tour the South Africa Mission with President and .... mauled by these spiritual crocodiles—and see them completely healed.

Balm of Gilead - Boyd K. Packer

Boyd K. Packer. Of the ... It became symbolic for the power to soothe and to heal. ...How precious is that spiritual balm of Gilead, for there is a spirit in man.

The Key to Spiritual Protection - Boyd K. Packer

The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain ... Jesus Christ has prescribed a very clear method for us to repent and find healing in our lives.

Cleansing the Inner Vessel - Boyd K. Packer

The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. .... terrible plague, to find the healing that is available to us in the priesthood of the Lord.

The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness - Boyd K. Packer

You may tell yourself that your transgressions are not spiritually illegal. ... upon it, is this: Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal,  ...

Counsel to Youth - Boyd K. Packer

Boyd K. Packer. President of ... This influence is spiritual, and he “is abroad in the land.” But despite .... But repentance can heal what hurts, no matter what it is.

The Mediator - Boyd K. Packer

If you miss that lesson you may have to make it up before you are spiritually .... of us individually may be extended the redeeming and healing blessing of mercy.

Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord's Own Way - Boyd K ...

Boyd K. Packer .... If we lose our emotional and spiritual independence, our self-reliance, we can be weakened quite as much, perhaps even more, than when ... You have a power to soothe and to sanctify and to heal that others are not given.

Washed Clean - Boyd K. Packer

Boyd K. Packer ... I reasoned that to be spiritually unclean would bring shame and humiliation immeasurably more intense than I felt .... Not just heal up the few.

Love

Love can go on through eternity
That is how the family is meant to be
The husband and the wife and the children they create
On to a posterity, love blooms ever great!

I am treasuring President Packer's talk every day until Conference.

Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World ...

Family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness. ... me to see how marriage and family-centered priorities cut across and superseded any political,  ...

Testimony Meeting

Deep inside the chambers

of my pulsating heart;

the spirit now labors

for growth to impart.

Truth is good to share.

Spiritually begin.

What thoughts had been there

that shone light within?

“Oh, if I could teach you this one principle: a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! President Boyd K. Packer

President Packer

70 years of marriage with Donna, his Wife. 

The mother of his children, his partner, his life. 

The family and the temple, he taught us the way. 

To return home to Heaven , forever to stay.

I am going to miss this wise man. I am thankful for his life's work and talents, his faithfulness and devotion to family. Now our prayers are going out to that large family of his.

The Plan of Happiness

Through the Lord's atonement
Happiness does come
We no longer lament
Over what's been done

The Plan of Happiness

"You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity."

—Boyd K. Packer, "The Plan of Happiness"
Topics: Repentance

lament (n), (v)

1. 1.

   a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

   "his mother's night-long laments for his father"

   synonyms:

   wail, wailing, lamentation, moan, moaning, weeping, crying, sob,sobbing, keening; More

   • 
     

1. 1.

   mourn (a person's loss or death).

   "he was lamenting the death of his infant daughter"

   synonyms:

   mourn, grieve, sorrow, wail, weep, cry, sob, keen, beat one's breast "the mourners lamented"

The Plan of Happiness

His judgments are just; 
His mercy unbound
He compensates us
When our faith is found

Complete

A marriage is complete
When the spirit's found.
There's no need to compete;
God's the common ground!

Stay hurtful words
Apologize
Let praise be heard
Build loving ties

Guilt injures the spirit
Repentance must take place
Don't avoid it- hear this
The healing balm is grace

Pondering President Packer's sweet words.

The Plan of Happiness

President Boyd K. Packer
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Over the years I have frequently taught an important principle: the end of all activity in the Church is to see that a man and a woman with their children are happy at home and sealed together for time and for all eternity. …

https://www.lds.org/church/news/boyd-k-packer-the-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng

Spiritual Cleansing

Just as a white board

Can be wiped new and clean

Our souls are through our Lord

As repentance is seen

The Key to Spiritual Protection "Just as chalk can be removed from a blackboard, with sincere repentance the effects of our transgression can be erased through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That promise applies in every case." —Boyd K. Packer, "The Key to Spiritual Protection" Topics: Repentance, Atonement

The Witness

We must come to our own
Witness of the Lord
And share how we've grown
As a saint reborn

The Witness

President Boyd K. Packer

Ensign, May 2014

Sharpened Focus for Things of Eternity

Times of uncertainty
Sharpen our focus to seek
Things of eternity
As one more humble and meek

A Set Course of Faith

On a set course of faith

Remind yourself to pray

God's promises are sure

As we strive each day

 To seek Him and obey

Welcome peace to your heart 

Repent.  Let go of fear

Seek the scriptures for truth

And feel God's love. It's near!

It has always been here!

Turn to God's holy words

Let peace settle your heart

The key to Spiritual Protection 

Is to seek redemption to start

It's always been there! We must do our part!

President Boyd K. Packer
The Key to Spiritual Protection
November Ensign, 2014
Peace can be settled in the heart of each
 who turns to the scriptures and unlocks
the promises of protection and redemption.

Sometimes You Have to "BACK TRACK"

Sometimes you have to "back track"
To get where you should be.
To receive the strength you lack
To get yourself moving.

Recall things in a journal
Let the spirit guide
Endure like life's a final
With God on your side.

There’s a word,repent. What does the “re” in repent mean? It means you do it again—repeat, repent. And then you have to backtrack to the point where you went off track and go forward, free from the challenges that were with you then. 

Teaching in the Church

BOYD K. PACKER

PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Decide to "DO IT RIGHT"

Decide to "do it right"
And you will receive
From beyond the veil, light
If you but believe.

So, my counsel is simple. Just decide to do it right, decide to be better, decide to trust the scripture, and as you do, you’ll grow and the challenges you have will be for your good.

Teaching in the Church

BOYD K. PACKER

PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Trust in Your Call

Trust in your call
Words will come to you
Give of your all
And light will shine through.

I wish that there would be a way to promise you that if you studied earnestly and seriously that you’d be better. It won’t hurt you. But it won’t make you better, even as good as it would if you’d trust in the Lord and trust in the Spirit and go ahead. That doesn’t quite become second nature, but you, in due time, learn to trust the Spirit that it will be there. Many times I’ve stood at the pulpit and wondered what to say, kind of empty-headed and knowing that there was a great responsibility, but it always comes. It comes when you start. You start and begin, and then the revelation starts to flow. The credit we deserve from all of that is very little for ourselves, because the Spirit is the generating power.

Teaching in the Church

BOYD K. PACKER

PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES