The Heavens Are Poised

The heavens are poised
To assist righteous goals
When to above they are noised
We are raised for new roles

Especially when a resolution
Involves attending the temple
Then there's light and solutions
As we go in faith, it's that simple

We've many examples...

click on above title to go to the site at Mormon Times

Setting the ultimate New Year's resolution
By Beth Palmer
Monday, Jan. 04, 2010

The Lord Measures Society

The Lord measures society
By the way charity is meted
When with holiness and sobriety
The poor and the needy are well treated

The earth is filled with abundance
Ever there is enough and to spare
Each with their varied circumstance
Has a stewardship over what is theirs

As we pursue the cause of Zion
We must beware of idolatry
For that is the path of Babylon
When it's righteous devotion we seek

We might ask ourselves what we worship
And take care to not be covetous
Of materialism let us be stripped
That lust and pride is not found within us

Let us dispense of our means and resources
With generosity, to alleviate suffering
That when nature and calamity courses
Our humanitarian efforts are there offering

D. Todd Christofferson
Come to Zion
Ensign, Nov 2008, 37

In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity.

Marital Advice

Soon, together your lives will join
Unto newness before your eyes
With lessons for both to enjoy
Learning from each other will make you wise...

Change is inevitable in love
As two combine all that's inside
Marital seeds bloom softly there of
If some things are discussed to decide...




Loans are a real concern
And oft what we need today is trash tomorrow
As a couple ... this is yours to discern
And define the meaning of "think twice" and borrow

Life is ever a long test
Both should work to advance
With what's best for the family...the quest
Be supportive... and enhance

Learn how to work things out
Together as a team
And if ever you are in doubt
Let turmoil blow off steam

Live to give warmth through touch and word
Reminisce often of the past
Learn to give signals both seen and heard
As communication builds stems that last

Laugh often and treasure
What makes each other unique
Do the small things that bring pleasure
When you argue what do you seek?

Let go, sometimes, and let God
Have faith...and hold on a little longer
Pray and read the Word...love's safety rod
For then the marriage is found stronger

Look at each other deeply
To where lies the heart and soul
There love is nourished for safe keeping-
Yielding a bouquet alive and whole

Listen to the light
That teaches from above
Strive to choose the right
Give respect to love

The Blessings of Heaven Truly Fell

The blessings of heaven truly fell
Upon those drawing close to the Lord
They having been proven faithful
Found what only faith could afford

The Olive Leaf plucked from the tree of paradise
Brought them many messages of peace
Heavenly beings appeared before their eyes
And revelation did naught but increase

The day of Pentecost was found
A pillar of fire opened
The holy spirit poured down
Mightily with rushing wind

Midst the Kirtland dedication
Angels and visions were sent
As spiritual manifestations
Went about with astonishment

But... one day's bright testimony
Can all too soon fall
As fades the memory
Of what comes to hallowed halls

Because of much seen and heard
Who could possibly be overthrown?
But, as opposition gathered
Many walked from all they'd known

Afraid, some lost sight of God
And what was there's to harvest
They forgot to hold to the rod
And endured not what proved hardest

Ever hold on a little longer
Brighter days are in store
Let your faith become stronger
And remember the reason we're here for...

Let the brightness of certainty
Shine before you from day to day
And open your eyes to what's heavenly
As windows are opened but through faith

1 Corinthians 2:9 eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him... and wait for Him



Hold on a Little Longer
President Uchtdorf
Ensign, January 2010, 4

D&C 88 preface
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, December 27, 1832. HC 1: 302–312. It was designated by the Prophet as the “olive leaf . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us.” It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on December 27 and 28, 1832, and January 3, 1833.

:63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.


Perhaps the culmination of these spiritual manifestations occurred during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. One of those present was 28-year-old William Draper, who described the day as a “day of Pentecost.” He wrote: “There was such a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation.”3

These spiritual manifestations were not limited only to those inside the temple, for “the people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place.”4

Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901), later to be President of the Church, was living in Kirtland during this blessed period. He observed, “One would have imagined that after receiving these wonderful manifestations no temptation could have overthrown the Saints.”5

But, of course, great spiritual experiences do not make us exempt from opposition and trials. Just a few months after the temple dedication, a widespread economic crisis shook the United States, and Kirtland felt the effects deeply. Banks failed, leaving many in difficult financial straits. To make matters worse, many of the Saints who were immigrating to Kirtland came with very few material possessions, not knowing what they would do once they arrived or how they would survive.

Before long, persecutions arose and mobs formed against the Saints. Members of the Church—even some of those closest to the Prophet, many of whom were present at the dedication of the temple—apostatized and condemned Joseph as a fallen prophet.

All We Find on this Great Earth

All we find on this great earth
Heavenly Father placed with love
O'er mountains, the sun shines a new birth
Promising light and help from above

My Health Went South for a Season

My health went south for a season
Yet, each step of the way I was blessed
I know it all happened for a reason
How thankful I am for the test

My heart gave all the bad signs...
Experiencing pain most distressing
But then... as though by divine design
In the ambulance I received a sweet blessing

Every step of the way like angels
Lds members came to attend
Ever gratitude in me swells
For this bonus time... to wrap up loose ends

Dedicated to Helen Schlie...
A woman of many talents
...including poetry

Prophecy Was Made

Ancient prophecy was made
Then generations passed
To faithful hearts a promise lay
With signs for eyes to cast

A virgin birth
For one named Mary
She come to earth
God's son... to carry

Meanwhile... atrocities and war
Bondage.... Babylon, Egypt, Greece, then Rome
Conquered again and again...who was favored?
Then...He came... obscure and unknown

With His life
Came rebirth
Jesus Christ
Brought us new worth

Perfectly He led
Healed and discoursed
Spiritually He fed
As His life ran its course

thoughts from reading

Son of Man
Susan Easton Black