Through the Miracle of the Holy Bible

Four thousand years of sacred history-
The Bible was preserved by holy men
For its accounts of Christ's words and ministry
We treasure the old and new testament

Protected throughout the dark ages
Through countless conflicts of generations
These works still speak of Christ in its pages
Though it passed through many hands and translations

We owe so much for each man's inspired words
We owe so much to the many martyrs
Who served all their lives and made record
And... too, we revere those called the reformers

God does direct what His scriptures should say
He's whom we place our trust and confidence
We are blessed to have the holy bible today
Divinely, as it's not by chance or coincidence

Here we learn of the teachings of Jesus
Here love and obedience can increase
Honest study of holy words help us
On our quest to find perspective and peace

Tens of millions find God in the Bible
Here they find truth to feed and guide their faith
Their dream to have freedoms, were not idle
They sought to be led by God and not fate

When the bible went into the household
It helped each man to search which doctrines were true
Now more light and wisdom can and does unfold
Influenced by one who asked what to do

Prompted by words he read in the bible
He went alone to a grove, to God beseech
Now what happened next, there's no denial
God and Jesus came to Joseph to teach

Without the bible, where would mankind be?
It led Joseph, who was then schooled for manhood
From golden plates, he began translating
That God's church could be restored and His priesthood

Now we've the most correct of any book
For it was preserved and protected for our day
Translated by seers through which he would look
It's become the Bible's companion works, today

Now, we've another testament of Christ
As the world grows in knowledge of all kinds
We're thankful our father hears our cries
And that to every humble seeker- truth he finds

The bible is a pillar of our faith
And is a powerful witness of the Savior
It witnesses anew, and may God be praised
For the Latter- Days, we have help to endure!

[Verse 1] Four thousand years of sacred history- The Bible was preserved by holy men For its accounts of Christ's words and ministry We treasure the old and new testament [Verse 2] We owe so much for each man's inspired words We owe so much to the many martyrs Who served all their lives and made record And... too, we revere those called the reformers [Chorus] God does direct what His scriptures should say He's whom we place our trust and confidence We are blessed to have the holy bible today Divinely, as it's not by chance or coincidence [Verse 3] Here we learn of the teachings of Jesus Here love and obedience can increase Honest study of holy words help us On our quest to find perspective and peace [Verse 4] Tens of millions find God in the Bible Here they find truth to feed and guide their faith Their dream to have freedoms, were not idle They sought to be led by God and not fate [Verse 5] When the bible went into the household It helped each man to search which doctrines were true Now more light and wisdom can and does unfold Influenced by one who asked what to do [Verse 6] Prompted by words he read in the bible He went alone to a grove, to God beseech Now what happened next, there's no denial God and Jesus came to Joseph to teach [Chorus] Without the bible, where would mankind be? It led Joseph, who was then schooled for manhood From golden plates, he began translating That God's church could be restored and His priesthood [Verse 7] Now we've the most correct of any book For it was preserved and protected for our day Translated by seers through which he would look It's become the Bible's companion works, today [Verse 8] Now, we've another testament of Christ As the world grows in knowledge of all kinds We're thankful our father hears our cries And that to every humble seeker- truth he finds [Outro] The bible is a pillar of our faith And is a powerful witness of the Savior It witnesses anew, and may God be praised For the Latter- Days, we have help to endure!

M. Russell Ballard
The Miracle of the Holy Bible
Liahona, May 2007, 80–82

Arise and Shine

 

Heavenly Father's gospel truly can be
A "light shining in darkness"
With the Savior's role helping us to see
The great plan of happiness

May His blessings be ours, now and always
As we love, give, and serve- to walk in His ways
May we seek for light, to fully understand
And feel His guidance is ever close at hand

Arise, and in joy, shine.

All around His light can be seen

Feel His love dwell inside

M. Russell Ballard
February 12, 2009


[Verse 1] Heavenly Father's gospel truly can be A light shining in darkness With the Savior's role helping us to see The great plan of happiness [Pre-Chorus] May His blessings be ours, now and always As we love, give, and serve To walk in His ways May we seek for light, to fully understand And feel His guidance is ever close at hand [Chorus] Arise, and in joy, shine (Arise, and in joy, shine) All around His light can be seen Feel His love dwell inside (Feel His love dwell inside) All around His light can be seen [Verse 2] When the road feels long and the night grows near Your mercy steadies me Every step I take, You are drawing near With a hope that sets us free [Pre-Chorus] May His blessings be ours, now and always As we love, give, and serve To walk in His ways May we seek for light, to fully understand And feel His guidance is ever close at hand [Chorus] Arise, and in joy, shine (Arise, and in joy, shine) All around His light can be seen Feel His love dwell inside (Feel His love dwell inside) All around His light can be seen [Bridge] Teach our hearts to follow Lead us where You call In the quiet, in the waiting You are guiding all [Final Chorus] Arise, and in joy, shine (Arise, and in joy, shine) All around His light can be seen Feel His love dwell inside (Feel His love dwell inside) All around His light can be seen
Isaiah 60
In the last days, Israel shall rise again as a mighty nation—Gentile peoples shall join with and serve her—Zion shall be established—Finally, they shall dwell in celestial splendor.
1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
9 Surely the aisles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.

Promptings for What to Do and Say

Live your life in such a way

That promptings will come

Be humble, repent and pray

Ask what should be done

What weighs you down?

Pray Always

Humbly

There's a lighter way

Fortify your foundation

By reading in the sacred Word

Love will light your mind and heart

In a way that's both felt and heard

What weighs you down?

Pray Always

Humbly

There's a lighter way

As you practice these simple things

You will be quickly on your Way

To experience the joy that each day brings

Aa you will know what to do and say!

What weighs you down?

Pray Always

Humbly

There's a lighter way

Love will light and lead you with

What to do and say

This poems was inspired by an interview with Elder Ballard and President Oaks. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/b6xERN88xmY?si=gnlvOYuiknBjcNP1

The Greatest Miracle of All

 The Greatest Miracle of All

Thoughts from Elder M. Russell Ballard's remarks honoring the Crandall Canyon mine collapse

There is one who knows us best.
He only can give true rest.
He knows every ounce of pain.
For us He suffered, was slain.

Our hearts won't be troubled, now
With fears flayed to rest, and how?
His love enfolds us with His peace.
May our love for Him increase.

We endure and weep the night.
Then joy comes with morning light.
He bears what ere shadows fall-
The great miracle for all.

He has borne all man's sorrows.
Our hope for bright tomorrows,
We know His love is so pure.
With faith we cope and endure.

Service is a Duty

Do not keep your focus

On just your school, grades, work,

Sports, or the need for fun.

Of service do not shirk.

Selflessness is good!

This is how we bond.

Charity shines anew.

Love and light is found.

The Greatest Generation of Young Adults "Do not shift your focus from serving others to focusing exclusively on school, work, or social activities." —M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Young Adults" Topics: Service shirk (v) 1. avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility). synonyms: evade, dodge, avoid, get out of, sidestep, shrink from, shun, skip, miss

Fortify Your Faith

Fortify your faith
Act today
Blessings do await
Us that way!

Believe, serve, work
And overcome
We face the worst
Still, we've the Son

Of course, our challenges are different today, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs, we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, we face alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, all kinds of filth, sleaze, greed, dishonesty, and spiritual apathy. Instead of families being uprooted and torn from their homes, we see the institution of the family, including the divine institution of marriage, under attack as groups and individuals seek to define away the prominent and divine role of the family in society.
This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.

Love You Most

Remember

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Love you the best and the most

They want for you to receive of light

And the gift of the Holy Ghost

The Greatest Generation of Young Adults - By Elder M ...

https://www.lds.org/.../th...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints

Elder M. Russell Ballard encourages returned missionaries and all young adults to ...Do you kneel in prayer to talk with your Heavenly Father each morning and each night? 3. ... “RM” doesn't mean “retired Mormon”! ... Remember that our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, know you best and love you the most.

Govern Your Actions

Govern your actions 

With the future in mind

Divine potential's

For the faithful to find

Purity Precedes Power

"We cannot foresee what the Lord has in mind for us. Our only course of action is to be prepared and worthy for whatever he requires. We must govern our actions every day with our future in mind."

—M. Russell Ballard, "Purity Precedes Power"
Topics: Agency, Obedience, Divine Potential

Searching

A few weeks ago
On a cold dark winter's night
The stars seemed aglow
Millions, beautiful and bright

I turned to read again
With great wonder and awe
About the creation
What Moses learned from God

There are worlds without number!
Created by the Son
Each through His priesthood order
For God's purpose, done

Hubble scientists say
We are but one galaxy
Of billions far away
-All for His work and glory!

To fathom that He knows me
And waits for my return
Helps me ponder where I'm going
And for what do I yearn?

I am a part of all that I see
The light which I feel
From God there is no hiding
I know He is real

I want to please Him
And tell others, too
He is the reason
I smile anew

1. “This Is My Work and Glory” - general-conference

   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2013/04/this-is-my...

   LDS.org; General Conference; ... A few weeks ago, on a cold, dark winter’s night, my wife, ... so large and so vast are God’s creations.
2. I found the beginnings of this poem and finished it only to find that I had completed it and published it a while ago. How long has it been since you saw a night sky filled with stars?  I was at my parents and it was so cold I didn't last long! No shooting stars for me!

Gift to the Savior

Starting today, I will pray

And reach out to just 'one'

To share the Lord's love this way-

As my gift to the Son

Put Your Trust in the Lord

"We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just 'one' between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior."

—M. Russell Ballard, "Put Your Trust in the Lord"
Topics: work of salvation

Our Faith Garners Us

Our faith garners us the assurance

That the world will be a better place

As we join to give assistance

And share our bounties from God's grace




http://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-ballard-and-baptist-pastor-discuss-interfaith-coalitions?lang=eng

1. garners - definition of garners by the Free Online Dictionary ...

   www.thefreedictionary.com/garners‎
   

   
   

   • 
     

   tr.v. gar·nered, gar·ner·ing, gar·ners. 1. To gather and store in or as if in a granary. 2. To amass; acquire. See Synonyms at reap. n. 1. A granary. 2. A temple

All For His Work and Glory

A few weeks ago
On a cold dark winter's night
The stars seemed aglow
Millions... beautiful...bright

I then turned to read again
With great wonder and awe
About the creation
What Moses learned from God

There are worlds without number
All created by the Son
Through the priesthood, order
For God's purposes, done

Hubble scientists say
We are, but one galaxy
Of billions, far away
All for God's work and glory

To bring to pass salvation
For His spirit children
Some, to eternally station
Where He can be with them

For a place He prepares
May we make room for Him in our hearts
In our journey, He shares
And awaits us beyond the stars

This is My Work and Glory
Elder Ballard
Ensign, May 2013

I Surrender Heavenly Father

I surrender, Heavenly Father
I have wanted all the wrong things
I can't take one step farther
Without what repentance brings

Pride- what is that?
I have lost control
Imprisoned- is where I'm at
I am trapped in a hole

I have fallen prey
To the drug of pleasure
I have lost my way
And given up life's treasure

I want to feel peace,
Joy, and happiness
To have insanity cease
And through Thy Son be blessed

I want to feel wrapped in love
As a submissive child
I want to rise above
Being base and wild

That is why this day
I have turned to Thee
To repent, cry, and pray
And discover the free me

pondering:
O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, November 2010,

There is hope for the addicted, and this hope comes through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeking Souls

The counterfeit fisherman
Uses artificial lures
Craftily to hook each man
To what spiritually injures

To seal us his, he lies in wait
Knowing exactly where we're weak
Then creating the perfect bait
That blinds us to think it's what we seek

Feeling pleasure instead of pain
The addiction starts
As he takes hold of the brain
And hardens up our hearts

He'll not tire, nor let go
But cleverly attack
For as resistance starts to show
He entices to call us back

Yet there is hope, there is a way
To get the hook removed
If we seek in faith to pray
There's a narrow pass to move

Fervent prayer is the key
To finding peace to overcome
As from pride one does plea
The fight of addiction can be won

Humbly search on your knees
And surrender to Jesus Christ
This fisherman knows all your needs
And has paid salvation's price

click on above title to go directly to read or watch this conference address
http://new.lds.org/general-conference/sessions?lang=eng&bcpid=610705729001&bctid=624251294001

quote from Elder Ballard's talk: O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One...
'I add my voice today to the voices of my Brethren that Lucifer is a clever and cunning intelligence. One of the main methods he uses against us is his ability to lie and deceive to convince us that evil is good and good is evil. Right from the very beginning in the great Council in Heaven, Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him. …
“And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will” (Moses 4:3–4).

'To those who are dealing with an addiction personally or within your family, I repeat, fervent prayer is key to gaining the spiritual strength to find peace and overcome an addictive craving. Heavenly Father loves all of His children, so thank Him and express sincere faith in Him. Ask Him for the strength to overcome the addiction you are experiencing. Set aside all pride and turn your life and your heart to Him. Ask to be filled with the power of Christ’s pure love. You may have to do this many times, but I testify to you that your body, mind, and spirit can be transformed, cleansed, and made whole, and you will be freed. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).'

Seeking a Quest

http://beta.lds.org/youth/from-every-nation/video/gaming-and-texting-addictions?locale=eng&autoplay=true



Seeking a quest
I turned to a game
But naught there did bless
Or restore my good name

Seeking another
In a holy place
I served my Brother
For His warm embrace

The journey well spent
Filled me with purpose
So glad that I went
I resolved again for service

A heroine for a day
For one who's passed on
Brightening their way
To truly belong

Reaching a higher level
On the mountain of the Lord
Serving those unable
Doing what time can afford

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Gaming and Texting Addictions
3 Oct 2010

click on above title to go directly to video

Apostle Ballard Defines What the LDS or Mormon Church is

It is time for believers
To find the common ground
And combine our endeavors
Through our love for Jesus found

Shoulder to Shoulder- Father and Son

Shoulder to shoulder
Father and son
One a little older
Helping each to become

Where there are gaps
Mentors fill in
Not all have dads
Sons or kindred

Young men- truly
You're the better version
Share your dreams fully
Seek advice how to be that person

Fathers- you are heroes
In countless ways
Be the one who knows
Trusted always

Brethren- listen
Value...suggest
Counsel often
Motivate...confess

Dare to have "big talks"
Unto worthiness
That where e'er each man walks
The spirit's there to witness

Fathers and Sons
A Remarkable Relationship
Eldr M. Russell Ballard
Ensign, November 2009, 47

Let Us Not Feel Apprehensive

Let us not feel apprehensive
As we are privileged to speak of faith
(But, not in a way that's offensive...)
For these words should be spiritually framed

I am confident in my belief
In our beloved Lord and Savior
For He has helped me in trial and grief
And to not share His love, I'd feel a failure

I try to follow His teachings
And pray in His name each day
Humbly to Him I'm now reaching
For He helps me to form words to say

Let us speak spirit to spirit
And feel His love within stir
That as I speak you'll more than hear it
But, feel your heart swell and concur

Now, let me tell you where I go to be strong-
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
It's where I have been led and know I belong
As His countenance to my soul weekly He paints

There we follow Jesus Christ
And try to live as He taught
Continually, He lights my life
And without Him, and His church, I'd be lost

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705323254/Dont-apologize-for-faith-BYU-grads-are-urged.html

Don't apologize for faith, BYU grads are urged
LDS shouldn't be on the defensive, Elder Ballard says
By Marc Haddock
Deseret News
Published: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 9:39 p.m. MDT
Stop being defensive about your religion.
That's the message Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve delivered to 2,422 BYU graduates at the Marriott Center Thursday during commencement exercises for the Class of June 2009 and August 2009.
Ballard recounted the early struggles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns the university, and a resulting sense that church members need to adopt a defensive posture. Things have changed, he said.
"This isn't 1830, and there aren't just six of us anymore," Elder Ballard said. "Constantly anticipating criticisms or objections can lead to an unhealthy self-consciousness and a defensive posture that doesn't resonate well with others. It is inconsistent with where we are today as a church and as a great body of followers of Jesus Christ."
He said the church's rapid growth has given the religion, now the fourth largest in the United States, a higher profile than ever, and that church members would find themselves in more discussions about their beliefs than in the past.
"You need to be honest, open, forthright, engaging, respectful of others' views and completely non-defensive about your own," Elder Ballard said. "If we want to be respected today for who we are, then we need to act confidently — secure in the knowledge of who we are and what we stand for, and not as if we have to apologize for our beliefs.
"That doesn't mean we should be arrogant or overbearing," he said.
Elder Ballard offered two suggestions to remaining non-defensive in conversations.
"Don't let irrelevant issues drown out the more important subjects," he said, mentioning polygamy as a specific example.
"This ended in the church as an official practice in 1890. It's now 2009. Why are we still talking about it?" he asked.
His second suggestion: "Emphasize that Latter-day Saints follow Jesus Christ and what Jesus Christ teaches."
"Whenever you are having a conversation about the church, you should try to make this a point. We follow Jesus Christ. We try to live as he taught," Elder Ballard said. "That's the basis of our faith and our lives. This is the strongest non-defensive position you can take."

this brings to mind a poem I wrote earlier this year based on
...
To speak or write of Jesus
Who is the author of good news
Is always timely, for anyone of us
For it's the best message one can choose

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge
February 10, 2009

Let Me Walk in Your Shadow

Let me walk in your shadow
And learn from all you know
I'm in need of your counsel
For from you there's good that flows

The fact that you have been devout
Helps me steer from thoughts that cloud
And from fears and doubts that destroy
Onto the covenant path of the endowed

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Learning the Lessons of the Past
Ensign, May 2009, 31

There is a Pattern in our Lives

There is a pattern in our lives
That ever cycles as one strives
For when we're righteous upon the land
We are blessed with materials more at hand

And with such easiness of the way
We're prone to forget the need to pray
Then on our own we're filled with pride
That our morality begins to slide

Till off the straight and narrow we walk
Heeding the worldy who laugh and mock
And soon perhaps through greed we collapse
As independence suffers from this lapse

And as we're discontent we distrust religion
Thus, ignoring our past poor decisions
And determined to experience for ourselves
We know dreariness and our hard heart swells

What will happen next? But, a hunger to come back
Unto the roots of pure love felt on the right track
And out of the depths of misery comes a soulful longing
For an old trusted friend, and a sense of belonging

And as humility forms we shed drama that dismays
To be restored unto God's teachings and His ways
Here we find earthly angels who guide us to high ground
Where there is newness of life and a change that's profound

Then again blessings come as we pray unto thanks
Born out of desires to always remember
Thus we're found serving with our fellow Saints
Enjoying the fulness as a returned member

May our pride cycle continually disband and shorten
Until it's replaced with an eternally straight path
Till our lives are no longer misshappened
But, prepared to have all that the Father hath

Learning the Lessons of the Past
M. Russell Ballard
Ensign 2009, 31