And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Through the strengthening power of the atonement
An offense is over-ruled. We triumph
We can live together with at-one-ment
If we petition in prayer for guidance

Keeping covenants requires dedication
And, of the many who've left their covenants
They are in need of our inspiration
We need prayer to break down walls of offense

Why have they not been participating
In the blessings and programs of the church?
Offtimes they're lifestyles are dissipating
And, grievances have turned them away hurt

These are some of the reasons some have cited:
Some felt excluded and without a friend.
Until some have moved or died
Some vow to not set foot in again

With commandments they struggled to live within
They avoided change and went another way
Do they remember the spirit given?
Do they remember what the scriptures say?

Where once they might have viewed us severely
We pray that they might feel of our concern
If we'd visit and ask them sincerely
Perhaps the spirit might help them return

One of the Lord's disciples has proclaimed
It is time to stop feeling offended
Each of us do things of which we're ashamed
It's time for the lost sheep to feel tended

All must act and not be acted upon
As free agents we can choose for our good
It is time to find the faith that we stand on
The Holy Ghost will witness how we should

[Verse 1] Through the strengthening power Of the atonement An offense is overruled We triumph We can live together With at-one-ment If we petition in prayer For guidance Keeping covenants Requires dedication [Pre-Chorus] And of the many who've left Their covenants They are in need Of our inspiration We need prayer To break down walls Of offense [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended We can heal We can come back together We can heal If we turn and believe [Verse 2] Why have they not been participating In the blessings and programs Of the church? Offtimes their lifestyles Are dissipating And grievances Have turned them away hurt These are some Of the reasons Some have cited Some felt excluded And without a friend Until some have moved Or died Some vow To not set foot in again [Pre-Chorus] With commandments They struggled to live within They avoided change And went another way Do they remember The spirit given? Do they remember What the scriptures say? [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended We can heal We can come back together We can heal If we turn and believe [Bridge] Where once they might have Viewed us severely We pray that they might feel Of our concern If we'd visit And ask them sincerely Perhaps the spirit Might help them return One of the Lord's disciples Has proclaimed Each of us do things Of which we're ashamed It is time For the lost sheep To feel tended [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended All must act And not be acted upon As free agents We can choose for our good It is time To find the faith that we stand on The Holy Ghost Will witness how we should

Elder David A. Bednar
“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,”
Liahona, Nov 2006, 89–92

Pendulum

Like a pendulum that swings about
I'm somewhere between two ends
I know that life will soon turn around
Especially, when I've friends!

Come Hear and Understand

Come hear and understand the gospel
That is given to every people
Come learn of God and be of one
With every nation, kindred and tongue

We've potential for exaltation
We must work out our salvation
Through faith in Christ and repentance
We're baptized to a new existence

In God's eternal plan, 

For each woman and man

Salvation is an individual matter;
Exaltation is a family matter

As individuals we must perceive
What covenants we make and receive
When we're given the Holy Ghost
We comprehend what we need the most

For the highest state of happiness
We'll focus on what acts in us
Then progress to our family
As the home is love's laboratory

In God's eternal plan, 

For each woman and man

Salvation is an individual matter;
Exaltation is a family matter

Who's our guide to love one another?
He is our Elder Brother!
We're taught patience and kind service
And to walk in truth and soberness

For the increase of love desired
Oft a rebuke is required
May this lead t'wards eternal life
While learning from overcoming strife

In God's eternal plan, 

For each woman and man

Salvation is an individual matter;
Exaltation is a family matter

We've each responsibility
We've each accountability
As lawful heirs sealings extend
Let's endure with love that never ends

In God's eternal plan, 

For each woman and man

"In God's eternal plan, salvation is
an individual matter;
Exaltation is a family matter"

Salvation and Exaltation
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Ensign May 2008, pg.7

What Should We Be?

What should we be?
How do we deal with each new strife?
Our legacy
Is putting meaning to our life

The Master Teacher
Showed how to love and sacrifice
May we each year
Show more gratitude for that high price

Same Gender Attraction

What drew me to him was the pain in his eyes
Though he was pleasant, he did not oft smile
Of his membership, he said, "I'm not worthy
I am attracted to men -I've strong feelings
Just why am I this way? With feelings so real?"
However, he'd not acted on how he'd feel
He would not violate the law of chastity
For he sought to keep his life in harmony

He spoke for a while we each were in relief
This man showed courage to live within beliefs
For he did not act upon what was in him
I assured him that attraction's not in sin
Whatever the cause of how he now does feel
It does not matter his worthiness was real
He's worthy to serve and enjoy fellowship
He still did belong and with his membership

I told him much more from spirit to spirit
And of every single word, he wanted to hear it
I told him thank you for wanting to be clean
That this attraction was not differently seen
Heterosexuals and homosexuals, too
Have the same requirements that they must do
I gave him assurance and he sat up straighter
Sex is a small part, On Christ we must center

With hope in his eyes, newly detected
Not feeling rejected, next steps were directed
With a recommend, he could simply endure
For during this life, there might not be a cure
God loves his children, we don't know all meanings
And what we now feel may not be as it's seemings
When we're unworthy, may we act to repent
Let's love each other, we're all so different

To you who struggle :

When we've fears we're quick to feel offended
Please recognize that to harm was not intended
We can do things to keep weeds from choking
And when we've faith, great blessings we're invoking
Like anyone else there's lessons in gardening
And things to do to keep soils from hardening
For spiritual nourishment there's things we must do
Like scripture reading, worship, fasting and prayer, too.

The Lord's aware of each current circumstance
Fight the good fight. We can take a stance
We can promote the law of chastity
Whatever our situations here might be
Dear Father, in regards to those who have this struggle
Help them overcome all the thoughts that juggle
We weep for them. We've admiration and respect
Of what we can do to show love, let us detect

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Helping Those Who Struggle With
Same Gender Attraction
Ensign, Oct 2007

But, If Not...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego
Knew they could always rely on God.
Even if things weren't as they'd hoped-
Would their faith now endure a burning pod?

King Nebuchadnezzar gave command-
All must worship a golden image.
The three would not heed this demand.
They'd faith, they'd stay safe inside the furnace.

Faith is believing in God's power
Even when we do not understand.
When we've faith, blessings soon shower
And we see the Lord's gospel work at hand.

Mortality is part of God's plan.
And we've been given our agency
To prove no more than we can withstand
For, He knows our strengths and ability.

Great men are made, From great challenges,
As we show faith, the Lord strengthens us.
And we overcome our weaknesses.
Thus, we gain experience and trust.

Let's recount great acts of the prophets.
First, they extend their faith in prayer.
Next, they serve for mankind's profit
That we can find Christ and trust He is there.

By faith Moses saved men from Egypt.
God showed His power... Was this their sole test?
Living God's laws- shows how faith is kept!
Then we are blessed. But, if not... God knows best.

We choose where we'll best follow and stand.
On the rock, to act for righteous sake?
Then when we're tempted by shifting sands
After all we can do, we are saved.
If not now, then in the eternal days.

But, if Not
Dennis Simmons
Ensign, May 2004,73

Enduring Together

What happens to one happens to all
When there is a tragic accident
It's not a duty, it is our call
To respond as the Lord's instrument

Those who've lost loved one's receive comfort
From members who recognize a need
Leapt into action; though time was short
Their first thought but to do a good deed

Those who endure heartbreaking trials
Grow in appreciation for prayer
And, when another's burdens pile,
They're often the first one's to give care

We can bear one another's burdens
Treat their trials as though they're our own
Then, we are prepared when pain happens
To endure and find help with the load

-Bishop Richard C. Edgley