Go Home and Ponder

Go home and ponder
The message taught
Let it, then, linger
Till it strikes a thought

Let this thought build

And become a part of you

Grown, humbled, yield...

And act on the impression, too

Oh

Oh, how it is so grand
To seek and ponder
To try understand
Beyond and yonder

While Working Much Out in My Mind

While working much out in my mind
I came to know with clarity
That as I took to pen I could find
A tool for writing of verity

Without preconception
I experienced a change of will
That my heart opened for conception
For the holy words God did instill

But, what is the good of a page
If it is not read and applied?
As the paper does but yellow with age
And the advantage for the reader is denied

As such, the ancients labored much with their hands
To give us their records and holy writ
May we ponder from them to understand
The care they used for God's light to emit

They knew the value of having an open mind
an open will, and an open heart

verity -an enduring or necessary ethical or religious or aesthetic truth

What Shall I Ponder Today

What shall I ponder today?
To fill my mind with light
I know if I read and pray
I will gain the best insight

Every minute, every hour
Can be filled with learning
God's blessings then do shower
As to Him, in thought, we are turning

On A Star Filled NIght

On a star filled night
The full moon arose
A big ball of light
That all heaven knows

Though long out of sight
The sun can be seen
Reflected and bright
Upon this moon- a sheen

Perhaps this night's for
Us to ponder anew
What lies at our core
To guide the things we do

A time to reflect
What is in our heart?
And too, to detect
Our paths we would to chart

Come thirty days more
I'll see this moon again
Casting shadows at my door
To reach me like a friend

Striving for Simplicity in Life

Striving for simplicity in life
Brings peace in times of troubles
For when there is hardship or strife
Each struggle grows and doubles

Although the storm's tumultuous
We know what's beyond the dark shadows
Thus, it will not get the best of us
For prayers light does shines through our windows

As then we sense the best is yet to come
And take moments to escape the frontal attack
To pause, reflect beyond thoughts that succumb
And recognize that with the Lord, there's naught we lack

There are but four things that we need:
Food, clothing, shelter, and fuel
Then of our time and effort we are freed
To apply these things to what's spiritual

With food- comes the word of wisdom
With clothing- modesty of dress
With shelter- living within means and income
And with fuel- our oil serves us best

Elder L. Tom Perry
Let Him Do It With Simplicity
Ensign, November 2008, 7

Gaining a Testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost

I ponder continually
Of God and His Son
I've a testimony
How these two are one

People o'er all the world
Do struggle to know
Who's our Savior and Lord?
Does knowledge still flow?

Oft the Exemplar sent prayers
To His Heavenly Father
And the scriptures declare
Of their love for each other

Tender obedience
And glorious trust
United as one in stance
And in their love for us

The Father and Son are real
As two distinct beings
I can know what I feel
And that truth- I'm receiving

If any lack wisdom
They can search in prayer
To the humble, light will come
James 1:5 makes this clear

A witness comes from heaven
To teach us of the Son
And to Joseph Smith was given
This pattern for how it's done

First we must have a desire
That quickens our soul
Then to pray, we retire
With obedience our goal

We pray in the name of
Our Dear Savior, Jesus
As our mediator above
He has proved that He loves us

If you truly believe
With all of your heart
Then in surety you'll receive
And this is only the start...

What has been shown to me
Can be made known to you
The Holy Ghost is the key
To reveal what is true

Elder Robert D. Hales
Ensign, May 2008, 29
Gaining a Testimony of God the Father;
His Son, Jesus Christ;
and the Holy Ghost

Stance: More general:attitude, position, posture
More specific:attention, erectness, uprightness

James 1: 5
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.

What of Our Tears?

What of our tears
Where do they drip from?
New pain and fears
And joy- then they come

We have feelings
And sacred learnings
With minds reeling
From each yearning

We try harder
To feel deeply
When we ponder
And aim steeply

If I Could Pause

If I could pause and just be still
And rest without a thought
I'd close my eyes, the senses would thrill
To have won the fight I'd fought

For what I think, so I am
And that is what I'll do
I know this stops me before I can
But, with rest, I can start new

With a clear head, I'll meditate
My thoughts will not wonder
Then with gratitude, I'll not hesitate
To list my blessings and ponder

What's in my heart, I now must share
I'll express them to God
And after I speak to Him in prayer
I'll hear His voice in the rod

When I am still the spirits there
And my heart's been set free
Of purpose, I am more aware
And I am now the real me

For strength and for fortitude
My heart must feel deeply
When I've a refreshed attitude
All my stuck thoughts won't keep me...
From becoming all I'm meant to be


When I eat emotionally
I stuff my heart 'till hard
This adds commotion in me
And my true feelings I have barred

Our God Truly is God

Our God Truly is God

Oh God, where art Thou?
I cry out to Thee
For guidance, and how
With humility

As I ponder Thee
I can see Thy hand
Working hard for me
And for every man.

Those who disbelieve
Need not look too far
For our bodies leave
Proof in who Thou art

We've our eyes and hands
So complex from birth
There one understands
True beauty and worth

The blind and infirm
Through Thy Son could feel
All Thy love confirmed
And saw Thou art real!

When I look at hands
I am in amaze
They grasp and expand
For creative ways

I know who Thou art
I'm in Thine image
I can do my part-
And, with my hands, I'll start!

-Elder Douglas L. Callister

64–68, Jan 2008, “Our God Truly Is God, ”
Ensign

Good, Better, Best

Our time has limits- yes
And, the world rushes by
Who is in need of us?
Oh, if we had wings to fly...

When we are together
May we feel the clock slow;
And ponder forever
Where each moment we will know

We try to do what's “good”
And hope for what is “best”
Progressing as we should
Towards “better” is the quest

We resolve and factor
And think where we have flown
When we self- monitor
We will find where we have grown

What we learn, we can teach
From lessons we'll prepare
With thoughts in how to reach
Then, apply it with great care


Dallin H. Oaks,
Ensign, Nov 2007, 104-108
Good, Better, Best

A Glorious Season

In each of us lies a piece of childhood.
Where bliss and wonder is best understood.
We revel with much fun at Christmas time.
Amongst tinseled presents some yours, some mine.

But there is something else, something better.
As we sit with our families together.
And we read the fascinating story.
Of our Lord's birth, ministry and glory.

When God's great love for us has been measured,
His priceless gift stands alone most treasured.
To us was given the Mighty Prince of Peace.
And may our love for Him only increase.

And so at this Christmas season, we sing.
With praise and gratitude, with hearts softening.
Let us be more generous to spread His love.
With Peace and wonder, to ponder what's above.

-President Hinckley

2–5, Dec 2007, Gordon B. Hinckley,
“A Glorious Season, ” NewEra

May the Blessings of Heaven Attend

May the blessings of heaven attend.
As our conf'rence has come to an end.
We so humbly and sincerely pray,
To become inspired from this day.
As phrases come to mind, we'll reprove.
Then we'll know exactly what to do.

For now, to our homes we have returned.
What's in our best interest is discerned.
As families we will confess each truth.
Held dear to our hearts and not aloof.
We've been uplifted and edified.
How to stay this way each must decide.

-President Hinckley

108, Gordon B. Hinckley, Nov 2007,
“Closing Remarks, ” Liahona

O Remember, Remember

If we write down just a few things that happen each new day,
We'll see the hand of God reaching to our fam'lies today.
Although we don't remember God and His Beloved Son.
If we seek Him, God will show us the things which He has done.
The Holy Ghost can bring light through a veil of dark blindness.
A journal shows a path to God. We'll recognize kindness.
O remember, please remember how you have been so blessed.
And establish, writing habits and of His hand confess.

When we're faithful God protects us and helps us to prosper.
Then is the time that we harden and think God's laws hamper.
It's easy to forget blessings, and thus we should give heed.
For what's inside our hearts can change the blessings eyes have seen.
So, too, the grind of poverty and distress darkens hope.
Then it's hard for the Holy Ghost to prompt what helps us cope.
O remember, please remember how you have been so blessed.
And establish, writing habits and of His hand confess.

There is a cure and a pattern in the sacrament prayers.
We promise God and our natures change as we know He cares.
The Holy Ghost is His Gift that reveals things through a veil.
We'll see God's hand in our service. He strengthens what is frail..
Our warm feelings can stir others so they will remember.
When we've Christ's name that's upon us, there's mercy that's tender.
The atonement helps us live lives that lead us toward God.
And we have help to remember the paths He helps us trod.

-President Eyring

66–69, Henry B. Eyring, Nov 2007,
Remember, “O Remember, ” Liahona

Windows

An azure blue sky
With clouds that billow.
I’ve picture frames in my mind,
As though seen through a window.

A gathering storm.
Our Lord’s wave beckons.
A window can be forlorn
Or offer promised lessons.

They keep out the rain.
They keep out the wind.
Some windows may shut in pain.
When will they ever open?

The last supper night.
A lonely vigil.
He saw our pictures of blight.
Pain, He alone to fulfill.

The Lord’s Disciples
Left us their pictures.
Of Jesus’ miracles.
There’s a view in our scriptures.

We, too, have windows.
And, lessons they’ve taught.
The place a gentle wind flows
To bless others more than not.

- President Monson

67, Nov 1989, Thomas S. Monson,
“Windows, ” Ensign

Familiar

Sometimes I see a stranger’s face
What seems familiar?
Does this prove there’s a distant trace
Far beyond this year?

Did I know and embrace the Son?
Would I as of late?
Will I then pass when days are done
Through that Heav’nly gate?

Stay on The High Road

As daughters of God, we pray to stay on the high road
When the dust settles it won't matter which car we drove
We pray that we´ll find our own bit of divinity
And, it may make a difference through all of eternity

With body, spirit, and mind our paths are on the high road
To reach the vistas it will matter which way we drove
Our Father rules o´er the earth, and thus He'll hear us pray
As we strive for excellence and there´s help along the way

Our prophet taught us there´s modesty on the high road
We need to obey for there´s tragedy some will know
He calls for high morals. He calls to each girl and boy
And he humbly asks we not think him as a killjoy

A one-time false move- carelessness can leave a deep scar
Our prophet counsels that we need to raise our bar
Some stumble and fall when the storm comes and it descends
And we must seek shelter, wisdom and good friends

Then when heavy laden, the Lord offers to give us rest
For times of distress our Lord's pillar star is at breast
His way is easy and his path is peaceful to trod
With faith there's a beacon a light towards our God

Though lonely at times, there is safety on the high road
There's vistas plenty to stop and check where next to go
And when there's mistakes, temptations can take us off track
Our father knows us best, and he´ll help us to get back

- President Hinckley
8–9, Gordon B. Hinckley, Jun 2001,
“The Prophet’s Counsel: The Six B’s, ” Liahona