On and On It Goes- The Spirit World of the Dead

 “…and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them.”

Joseph Smith

On and on it goes

Growth in Light and Truth

Living principles

Finding what is true

Such that when we die

And pass through the veil

Still on earth's blue skies

We'll learn where we failed

The spirit world of the dead

Perfect freedom to roam

To learn to do all that's best

From the best teachers known

But, perfect love and understanding

Is ours to gain at the resurrection

We'll be presented to the Father

And then pointed our new direction

To the highest estate of perfection

Or the lowest estate in rejection

Verse 1] On and on it goes, Growth in light and truth, Living principles, Finding what is true. [Pre-Chorus] Such that when we die, And pass through the veil, Still on earth's blue skies, We'll learn where we failed. [Chorus] The spirit world of the dead, Perfect freedom to roam, To learn to do all that's best, From the best teachers known. [Verse 2] But perfect love and understanding Is ours to gain at the resurrection, As we are presented to the Father, And then pointed our new direction. [Chorus] The spirit world of the dead, Perfect freedom to roam, To learn to do all that's best, From the best teachers known. [Bridge] To the highest estate of perfection, Or the lowest estate in rejection, Every step can lead us onward, Every truth can make us stronger. [Final Chorus] The spirit world of the dead, Perfect freedom to roam, To learn to do all that's best, From the best teachers known. [Outro] On and on it goes, Finding what is true.

A Shaft and a Stone

A smooth and polished shaft,
In the quiver of Almighty,
Follows a well marked path-
Of brave courage, full and mighty!

A smooth and polished stone,
On its predestined course,
Loses rough corners as it's thrown-
With an accelerating force!

Ever the gospel does rolls forth,
The Lord's army is taking its place;
Unto the East, West, South, and North-
Till all nations are taught of His grace.

Let me be a shaft.
Let me be a stone.
Given words to draft,
To my ears swiftly flown.

Then quite polished, let me hold on
And speedily share the words;
Bounding forth head long,
With my mouth like a sharp sword!

Verse 1] A smooth and polished shaft, In the quiver of Almighty, Follows a well marked path— Of brave courage, full and mighty! [Verse 2] A smooth and polished stone, On its predestined course, Loses rough corners as it's thrown— With an accelerating force! [Chorus] Ever the gospel rolls forth, The Lord's army is taking its place; Unto the East, West, South, and North— Till all nations are taught of His grace. [Bridge] Let me be a shaft. Let me be a stone. Given words to draft, To my ears swiftly flown. [Final Chorus] Ever the gospel rolls forth, The Lord's army is taking its place; Unto the East, West, South, and North— Till all nations are taught of His grace. [Outro] Then quite polished, let me hold on And speedily share the words; Bounding forth head long, With my mouth like a sharp sword!

Isaiah 49: 2, 1 Nephi 21: 2

2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and
made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he
hid me;

Let Your Face Shine- Halo of Glory

True, a face can light up 

With the Spirit and power of God

Too, it can shine with love

When all malice towards others is gone

Love one another

And be lifted from the world

Fill your soul with light

Through the reading of God's word

Pray that God be a lamp

Ever to light your feet

Share His glad message to all

He places before you to meet

May your presence and kindness

Alleviate the pains of the distressed

Let your motives be righteous

And God's love for them be expressed

May a halo of glory 

shine around your path

May others call you blessed

As charity, you have

Tose groaning in poverty

Those mired in trial

Those with temptations

Bring them hope to smile

Bear with the faults and errors

Let your hearts expand

Teach repentance, we're sinners

Help them seek God's hand

The enemies before your path

Offer but a soft answer

Turn away all of their wrath

Show them love is what you are after

Oh that we could swiftly lift them

And cast their sins behind our backs

That they might feel God's promise given

But each much travail their own paths

Smile and be of good cheer

Even when death is all around

The comforter draws near

That light and love more surround

Read about everyday life of the early Saints and thoughts from and about Joseph Smith.

Teachings of Joseph Smith

A person filled with the love of God is anxious to bless others.

“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”²

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-37?lang=eng

Let Your Face Shine

[Verse 1] True, a face can light up With the Spirit and power of God Too, it can shine with love When all malice towards others is gone [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 2] Pray that God be a lamp Ever to light your feet Share His glad message to all He places before you to meet [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 3] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed [Verse 4] May a halo of glory Shine around your path May others call you blessed As charity, you have [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 5] Those groaning in poverty Those mired in trial Those with temptations Bring them hope to smile [Verse 6] Bear with the faults and errors Let your hearts expand Teach repentance, we're sinners Help them seek God's hand [Bridge] The enemies before your path Offer but a soft answer Turn away all of their wrath Show them love is what you are after [Verse 7] Oh, that we could swiftly lift them And cast their sins behind our backs That they might feel God's promise given But each must travail their own paths [Verse 8] Smile and be of good cheer Even when death is all around The Comforter draws near That light and love more surround [Final Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Outro] Let your face shine with love Let God's light lead you home

version 2 Halo of Glory

[Verse 1] True, a face can light up With the Spirit and power of God Too, it can shine with love When all malice towards others is gone Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Pre-Chorus] Pray that God be a lamp Ever to light your feet Share His glad message to all He places before you to meet [Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed [Verse 2] As charity, you have Those groaning in poverty Those mired in trial Those with temptations Bring them hope to smile Bear with the faults and errors Let your hearts expand Teach repentance, we're sinners [Pre-Chorus] Help them seek God's hand The enemies before your path Offer but a soft answer Turn away all of their wrath [Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed [Bridge] Oh that we could swiftly lift them And cast their sins behind our backs That they might feel God's promise given But each much travail their own paths Smile and be of good cheer Even when death is all around The comforter draws near That light and love more surround [Final Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed

Calm as a Summer's Morning

In haste, I wrote to Governor Ford

Assuring compliance, without disturbance

The printing press now lay shattered

But, still anger rose up against the Saints

I was arrested, the charges were baseless

But, when I was released, this angered mobs more

Hundreds more now assembled

To destroy the temple and burn homes, they swore

The enemy thought that to destroy me

Would put a final end to our presence

But I knew my blood would not put an end

To their thirst for more blood, in the spirit of hatred and vengeance

For many feel threatened by more than our church

They see how we've filled and prospered the land

The governor was sending occupying troops, I learned

Hyrum came. I knew I was being sent to be slaughtered, just like a lamb

I kissed Emma and each our children, too

"You are coming back,"  Emma said through tears

But I knew this time what the mob would do

And I bravely mounted my horse, and waved off my fears

I was as “Calm As A Summer’s Morning.”

Our horse's gait was steady and strong

I left the peaceful place of Nauvoo

To surrender though I knew they were wrong

And along the street at each gate

In truth, for a last goodbye

Saints stood firm prepared to wave

To call, "I love you!" and to cry

[Verse 1] In haste, I wrote to Governor Ford Assuring compliance, without disturbance The printing press now lay shattered But, still anger rose up against the Saints I was arrested, the charges were baseless But, when I was released, this angered mobs more [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse [Verse 2] Hundreds more now assembled To destroy the temple and burn homes, they swore The enemy thought that to destroy me Would put a final end to our presence But I knew my blood would not put an end To their thirst for more blood, in the spirit of hatred and vengeance [Pre-Chorus] For many feel threatened by more than our church They see how we've filled and prospered the land The governor was sending occupying troops, I learned Hyrum came. I knew I was being sent to be slaughtered, just like a lamb [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse [Bridge] I kissed Emma and each our children, too You are coming back, Emma said through tears But I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse, and waved off my fears [Verse 3] I was as “Calm As A Summer’s Morning.” Our horse's gait was steady and strong I left the peaceful place of Nauvoo To surrender though I knew they were wrong And along the street at each gate In truth, for a last goodbye Saints stood firm prepared to wave To call, I love you! and to cry [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1/44-a-lamb-to-the-slaughter?lang=eng

Read this to get an understanding of that day.  Joseph and Hyrum actually circled back because he ran into the leader of the troop and they wanted the Nauvoo militia to surrender their weapons.  They helped make sure this happened with peace.

Oh, How We've Benefitted From Brother Joseph Smith

Oh, how we've benefitted
From our Brother Joseph Smith
For through him we've been gifted
With God's light that does transmit

We've a truer understanding
Of Heavenly Father and His plan
We've a book for our handling
And a deeper love for man

We've holy temples for binding
Upon four corners of the earth
We've latter-day words for finding
Our own spiritual rebirth

By the universal power
Given of the Holy Ghost
Knowledge of God's truth does shower
To teach what's needed the most

There to warm within the heart
A witness filled with strength
As to the mind light imparts
A testimony gained at length

Then how bright we are with truth
To love our families and neighbors
Passing hope in Christ to our youth
As were serving Him in our labors

Precious Fruits of the First Vision
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign February, 2009, 4

[Verse 1] Oh, how we've benefitted From our Brother Joseph Smith For through him we've been gifted With God's light that does transmit We've a truer understanding Of Heavenly Father and His plan We've a book for our handling And a deeper love for man [Pre-Chorus] We've holy temples for binding Upon four corners of the earth We've latter-day words for finding Our own spiritual rebirth [Chorus] Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted With God's light that shines in us Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted To love as He has loved us [Verse 2] By the universal power Given of the Holy Ghost Knowledge of God's truth does shower To teach what's needed the most There to warm within the heart A witness filled with strength As to the mind light imparts A testimony gained at length [Pre-Chorus] Then how bright we are with truth To love our families and neighbors Passing hope in Christ to our youth As we're serving Him in our labors [Chorus] Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted With God's light that shines in us Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted To love as He has loved us [Bridge] Let the witness stay within Let the truth keep leading on Hands to lift, and hearts to mend Till the doubts are all but gone [Final Chorus] Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted With God's light that shines in us Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted To love as He has loved us Oh, how we've benefitted Oh, how we've benefitted Passing hope in Christ to us

The Prophet Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith

Is our special witness

Of the resurrected Christ

Whom he had seen in light

As one called, he restored the gospel

Through the priesthood this was possible

And through modern day revelation

We've the Book of Mormon translation

Where prophets shared of  the Father's love

For we're all spiritual offspring of Him

He built holy temples for God above

And taught of ordinances within them

Yes, he testified of a Living Jesus

Who revealed Doctrines and Covenants 

He laid the gospel's foundation for us

His name's to be known as a rock or offense

Often, for him, the veil was parted

Then, with his own blood, as a martyr

He died as a personal witness

Of the work we are left to finish

And we will not forget The light he held before us We take up what he left And walk the path still open

[Verse 1] The Prophet Joseph Smith Is our special witness Of the resurrected Christ Whom he had seen in light As one called, he restored the gospel Through the priesthood this was possible And through modern day revelation We've the Book of Mormon translation [Pre-Chorus] Where prophets shared of the Father's love For we're all spiritual offspring of Him He built holy temples for God above And taught of ordinances within them [Chorus] The Prophet Joseph Smith Our special witness Of the resurrected Christ The Prophet Joseph Smith Our special witness We will stand and testify [Verse 2] Yes, he testified of a Living Jesus Who revealed Doctrines and Covenants He laid the gospel's foundation for us His name's to be known as a rock or offense Often, for him, the veil was parted Then, with his own blood, as a martyr He died as a personal witness Of the work we are left to finish [Bridge] And we will not forget The light he held before us We take up what he left And walk the path still open [Chorus] The Prophet Joseph Smith Our special witness Of the resurrected Christ The Prophet Joseph Smith Our special witness We will stand and testify [Outro] Of the work we are left to finish Of the work we are left to finish

"With a Spirit-derived assurance in place, you can go forward in the Lord's work and continue deepening your relationship with your Heavenly Father while pursuing or awaiting answers. If you determine to sit still, paralyzed until every question is answered and every whisper of doubt resolved, you will never move because in this life there will always be some issue pending, things yet unexplained."

Elder Christofferson said that "Joseph Smith's prophetic calling is key to our religion." Yet even with his large contributions, he is not its foundation — Jesus Christ is the foundation, and it is His Crucifixion and Resurrection that every other element of God's plan for the salvation of His children is built upon.
Elder Christofferson shared three ways the Prophet Joseph Smith is the great latter-day revelator of Jesus Christ — his personal witness of the Savor's Resurrection, his translation and publication of the Book of Mormon and through sealing his testimony with his own blood.
"Among mortals, the Lord Jesus Christ has had no surer witness, no more committed disciple, no more loyal advocate than Joseph Smith, His prophet, seer and revelator. By his personal witness of the resurrected Savior, ... [he] has laid before the world the preeminent revelation of Jesus Christ for our time."

The Prophet Joseph 

the great 'latter-day revelator'

Learning from the teachings of leader guides people to Christ

By Marianne Holman

Published: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 Rexberg Idaho

Great Trees Deep Roots- Joseph's Role in Restoring the Savior's Gospel

A witness can't be denied
Forgotten or ignored
As, from it you cannot hide
For it came from the Lord

Honed and prepared
He was in need of strength
Humbly he shared
How he developed faith

The keeping of records
And the bearing of truth
Has come through great efforts
As great trees have deep roots

As the founder of a cause
How would he lead? at what cost?
Would he be willing to die?
Who would take his place? and why?

Sometimes all you have
Is your faith to hold on to
And the hope that perhaps
All your family will be true

Amidst a war of words
How can you know what's right?
Let your questions be heard
For wisdom, seek God's light

Scriptures come with power
Unto the heart of man
Teaching any hour
Heaven remains open

[Verse 1] A witness can't be denied Forgotten or ignored As, from it you cannot hide For it came from the Lord Honed and prepared He was in need of strength Humbly he shared How he developed faith [Chorus] The keeping of records And the bearing of truth Has come through great efforts As great trees have deep roots As the founder of a cause How would he lead? at what cost? Would he be willing to die? Who would take his place? and why? [Verse 2] Sometimes all you have Is your faith to hold on to And the hope that perhaps All your family will be true Amidst a war of words How can you know what's right? Let your questions be heard For wisdom, seek God's light [Bridge] Scriptures come with power Unto the heart of man Teaching any hour Heaven remains open [Chorus] The keeping of records And the bearing of truth Has come through great efforts As great trees have deep roots As the founder of a cause How would he lead? at what cost? Would he be willing to die? Who would take his place? and why?

Thoughts are from this series on youtube

Joseph Smith's preparation, faith, and leadership in restoring the Savior's gospel.

The tree roots metaphor highlights the enduring strength from keeping records and bearing truth, referencing challenges like a "war of words" and the need to seek divine wisdom.

Shielded from the Enemy- Joseph Smith

 

Why should I now yield

To the enemy near?

The Lord is my shield

I'll not tremble in fear.

What can mere man do,

If the Lord is my friend?

I'll see this life through

To the ultimate end!

I'll follow this course

I'll follow God's plan

I'll know not remorse

For He is at hand!

Shielded from the enemy

Until his martyrdom

This prophet's friend, indeed,

Was God's own living Son!

[Verse 1] Why should I now yield To the enemy near? The Lord is my shield I'll not tremble in fear. What can mere man do, If the Lord is my friend? I'll see this life through To the ultimate end! [Pre-Chorus] I'll follow this course I'll follow God's plan I'll know not remorse For He is at hand! [Chorus] The Lord is my shield The Lord is my shield I'll not tremble in fear [Verse 2] Shielded from the enemy Until his martyrdom This prophet's friend, indeed, Was God's own living Son! I'll not deny Jesus And His hand in my life I testify He is with us [Bridge] He is both justice and mercy He sends forth Truth and Light [Chorus] The Lord is my shield The Lord is my shield I'll not tremble in fear

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Martyrdom - Church of Jesus Christ

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/church...

God Almighty is my shield, and what can man do if God is my friend. I shall not be sacrificed until my time comes. Then I shall be offered freely.” 2. One of the most pointed and poignant of Joseph Smith’s martyrdom prophecies was made to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the spring of 1844.

Ask in Faith

May the Holy Ghost assist
As we consider meaningful prayer
For when we have faith, we enlist
All of heaven's blessing and care

An example of great faith
Was given to us by young Joseph
Who asked and did not abraid
When he read the first word- if

He believed the words of James
And wanted to know what should be done
With churches of many names
He could not decide on anyone

He went to a grove of trees
And sought prayer after pondering
He humbly expressed his pleas
In him, there was nothing wavering

For faith without works is dead
If there's but one-way interaction
He knew on where his thoughts led
T'wards Jesus Christ and righteous action

When we have increased capacity
Wells of knowledge flow and inspire
To live our lives spiritually
There's power in faith filled desire

A prayer of faith might include
A review of all we've been given
With thoughts based on gratitude
This is the way each prayer should begin

When we pray for missionaries
It also mean we pray to give aid
With faith we will find who carries
A prepared heart with some questions laid

We pray too for the needy
For those who are sick and afflicted
May we do whatever needs be
To show God's love's unrestricted

We each have known anxiety
We can turn to God and petition
When we fear propriety
And become stuck in hesitation

Prayers are consecrated work
Expressed to our Father in Heaven
Prayers of faith require effort
We're not finished when we say "amen"

As we follow this pattern
We are blessed to recognize and act
On the things that we discern
We can seek help to complete our pact

Sometimes prayers may be denied
For we'll not oft receive a witness
Until our faith has been tried
And we increase spiritual fitness

"Not my will, but Thine, be done"
Though hard it is to accept God's will
We can bear as did the Son
In faith, we've prayers of peace that are still

[Verse 1] Ask in Faith May the Holy Ghost assist As we consider prayer For when we've faith, we'll enlist All of heaven's blessing Which lie there [Pre-Chorus] With faith we'll know What should be done We go to God And not to none Nothing wavering He hears the plea Our hearts lean in On bended knee [Chorus] Ask in Faith Ask in Faith He will guide the way Ask in Faith Ask in Faith Then rise and obey [Verse 2] He asked and did not abraid Young Joseph sought the grove He read the first word And still he wanted to know If he believed the words of James He would not turn aside He looked to Jesus Christ And let righteous action ride [Pre-Chorus] For faith without works is dead And prayers are consecrated work We are not finished When we say amen in the church We speak with effort We kneel with care Then watch for light Already there [Chorus] Ask in Faith Ask in Faith He will guide the way Ask in Faith Ask in Faith Then rise and obey [Verse 3] Begin with gratitude For all we've been given Then lift the names Of those who need His healing Missionaries, the needy The sick and the worn Hearts prepared And burdens borne [Bridge] Not my will, but Thine, be done Though hard it is to bear Some prayers are answered After faith is made aware When our faith is tried We grow more still In prayer of peace We learn His will [Chorus] Ask in Faith Ask in Faith He will guide the way Ask in Faith Ask in Faith Then rise and obey

Elder Bednar
Ask in Faith pg 94
May 2008 Ensign


Mark 4: 39
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind,
and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was
a great calm.

James 1: 5-6
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like
a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed.


Ether 12: 6
6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak
somewhat concerning these things;
I would show unto the world that
faith is things which are hoped for
and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not,
for ye receive no witness until after
the trial of your faith.

Seek Learning by Faith

As we look forward and anticipate
An ever confused and turbulent time
It becomes essential to seek learning by faith
Where there is spiritual strength and protection in life
And direction in the knowledge that we obtain

Learning by faith opens the pathway into the heart
Hoping for things which are not seen but are true
All that the teacher's spiritually prepared to impart
To demonstrate, persuade and testify anew
Through the Holy Ghost, if we would but do our part

Faith in action enables us to press forward
Assured that we've found the correct understanding
Though we're uncertain and where we are going is hard
We step into darkness from the light where we're standing
Soon, we've new evidence of faith and coil upward

In God's grand division of all His creations
They're things to act and things to be acted upon
We have been blessed with the power to be agents
The Lord safeguards us from Lucifer's rebellion
And we learn to be more morally obedient

When we're receptive our learning is not passive
We become actors and doers of the word
Our pondering invites learning in the process
The Holy Ghost whispers truth of what is heard
And faith opens the hearts pathway for a witness

In Joseph's time ministers told him what to do
In the midst of this war of word and tumult of thought
He went to a grove to pray so he could act on truth
He sought learning by faith, he wanted to be taught
Through faith, the Word of God, spoke to him in his youth

To answer a deep question, no matter what it is
The Holy Ghost is a teacher from the Father
As a member of the Godhead it witnesses
As it enters into the heart of the learner
As a sacred Gift, to the faithful, it blesses

In two thousand five, we were invited to grow
To read the Book of Mormon, in a matter of months
To act and not be acted upon, while here below
The world is trouble, what is it one really wants?
The faith to step in the dark, and trust where to go

Elder Bednar

Sept 2007

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/09/seek-learning-by-faith?lang=eng

Joseph Smith Was Chosen

 

There's No Pretending at Death

Who  would  pretend
And lie to their dying  breath?
When honesty
Is how to face inevitable death

President Holland mentioned Joseph Smith and Hyrum staying true to their testimonies as they were facing death. 

I know of one comment in a youtube video accused Holland of being a fake.  When you're dying, lying doesn't benefit anyone. President Holland really was an Apostle. No doubts- at all. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/N7qPtW0lFFQ?si=odpLq4GPAG5THbaV

Joseph Smith Honed and Prepared

Honed and prepared
He was in need of strength
Humbly he shared
How he developed faith

I love the new Saints book


https://ldsbookstore.com/saints-the-story-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-the-latter-days?feed=Froogle&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl9zdBRDgARIsAL5Nyn1OUdREC4p_JNrevQywQINCt5rL7EgTXzfsFR04eHLuL_H0vMfGm6kaAsYkEALw_wcB

hone a carving knife. to enlarge or finish (a hole) with a hone. to make more acute or effective; improve; perfect: to hone one's skills.

I loved learning how Joseph had laid an ax in the grove knowing he intended to go back there in the morning to speak aloud in prayer. The need for prayer and the assurance that he would receive an answer was not a sudden event.  Thoughts were being planted in his soul and developing line upon line.

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 3 of 5 - Mormonism

The keeping of records
And the bearing of truth
Has come through great efforts
As great trees have deep roots

I just listened to a recording of a man in a choke hold who ended up dying.  He kept saying, "I can't breathe!"  The man holding him was so focused on other things he didn't stop and the man died.  In so many ways Joseph could have died that night.  He grew up like a sapling that is whipped continually by wind.  It sends down deeper roots to anchor it!.

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 5 of 5 - Mormonism

As the founder of a cause

How would you lead? at what cost?
Would you be willing to die?
Who would take your place? and why?

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 4 of 5 - Mormonism

Sometimes all you have

Is your faith to hold on to

And the hope that perhaps

All your family will be true

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 2 of 5 - Mormonism

Amidst a war of words

How can you know what's right?
Let your questions be heard
For wisdom, seek God's light

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 3 of 5 - Mormonism

A witness can't be denied

Forgotten or ignored

As, from it you cannot hide

For it came from the Lord

Mormon Founder: Joseph Smith Jr. - 2 of 5 - Mormonism

Scriptures come with power

Unto the heart of man

Teaching any hour

Heaven remains open

Kinship with Joseph Smith

With great joy, I feel kinship
With the boy, young Joseph Smith
My questions, God has answered
As I seek... my prayers are heard

Line upon line, I've been taught
As from His word, I have sought
To know of His will for me
And my place in history