The Remarkable Women of God

Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” Ensign, May 1978, 10

Divinely determined, in another place and time

Men were given the priesthood and leadership line

Paralleling, then, with an influence for good

The role of mothering was given to womanhood

Both foreordained before foundations of the world

Certain women were given tasks for history unfurled

Divine design brought Mary as the mother of Jesus;

And a woman to retrieve Moses hidden in the bullrush

Their's to demonstrate how a baby is a blessing

With love and promise in the purest form expressing

A mother, Lucy Mack influenced a whole dispensation

While Ruth's love for Naomi taught of loyalty's obligation

Verse 1] Divinely determined, in another place and time Men were given the priesthood and leadership line Paralleling, then, with an influence for good The role of mothering was given to womanhood Both foreordained before foundations of the world Certain women were given tasks for history unfurled [Pre-Chorus] Divine design brought Mary As the mother of Jesus And a woman to retrieve Moses Hidden in the bullrush Their's to demonstrate How a baby is a blessing With love and promise In the purest form expressing [Chorus] Foreordained before the world (before the world) A mother's call was given Foreordained before the world (to bless the living) Mary, Ruth, and every woman Held by heaven's hand (held by heaven's hand) Love and promise rising In the purest form we stand [Verse 2] A mother, Lucy Mack influenced a whole dispensation While Ruth's love for Naomi taught of loyalty's obligation Quiet faith can move a people through the hardest years And faithful hands can answer history with tears When you see a child, you see a gift from God A covenant of tenderness in the road we walk [Bridge] Not lesser, not later But chosen for the hour A hidden kind of power A patient, sacred power To gather, guard, and guide To lift the broken small (guide and lift and gather) And leave a light behind for all [Chorus] Foreordained before the world (before the world) A mother's call was given Foreordained before the world (to bless the living) Mary, Ruth, and every woman Held by heaven's hand (held by heaven's hand) Love and promise rising In the purest form we stand

God, with His perfect regard for women, insists that we give care
Unto the lonely widows who teach us of sacrifice and giving
One, with her last meal and oil, gave it all to Elijah, trusting there...
As, too, the widow's mite exemplifies the principle of  tithing

Imagine Elisabeth, with a babe within to carry
A promise to her fulfilled, though she was beyond in age
Then to know why as her fetus, leapt in recognition of Mary!
This, the greatest sign of anticipation recorded on any page!

Does it not tell us, too, of their intrinsic intelligence
When at the horrid crucifixion scene: the Lord at Calvary
Women suffered in sorrow, extending their love hence
And offered themselves in presence, their lingering... a litany

Keeping hope...filled with spiritual sensitivity
Too, they came to prepare the torn body of Christ
Mary Magdalena kept herself near, in proximity
And witnessed His resurrection, the risen hope of life

Is it no wonder God placed His trust in women
Known to forget their sorrows that comfort might be shown
Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children
As... their compassionate service seems by instincts to be known

Verse 1] Rocking a child, gently She knows the world won't pass her by For she is holding tomorrow's future Tightly in her arms Throughout the world Comes the shaping sounds of lullabies And the soothing call for peacemaking That sweetly disarms [Pre-Chorus] As women of Zion They know their bodies are not their own So they guard what is sacred And they do not walk alone [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Verse 2] Thus, they refuse To make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb Ever shaping society With hearts and hands at home Those without husbands or children Or even both Still know that God loves them They are noble and great [Pre-Chorus] That mortality Is but a season of trial, learning, and growth And in eternity Those special blessings await [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Bridge] Eternal partners, as equals Are supportive, sealed together In the temple, before the veil And the altar, the bond becomes clear Of our regal homecoming To our eternal Father and mother She, too, makes preparations Planning sights and sounds we'll hear [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name

Verse 1] God, with His perfect regard for women, insists that we give care Unto the lonely widows who teach us of sacrifice and giving One, with her last meal and oil, gave it all to Elijah, trusting there... As, too, the widow's mite exemplifies the principle of tithing [Chorus] Known to forget their sorrows That comfort might be shown It is for women to bear and care It is for women to bear and care () [Verse 2] Imagine Elisabeth, with a babe within to carry A promise to her fulfilled, though she was beyond in age Then to know why as her fetus, leapt in recognition of Mary! This, the greatest sign of anticipation recorded on any page! [Pre-Chorus] Does it not tell us, too, of their intrinsic intelligence When at the horrid crucifixion scene: the Lord at Calvary Women suffered in sorrow, extending their love hence And offered themselves in presence, their lingering... a litany [Chorus] Known to forget their sorrows That comfort might be shown It is for women to bear and care It is for women to bear and care () [Bridge] Keeping hope...filled with spiritual sensitivity Too, they came to prepare the torn body of Christ Mary Magdalena kept herself near, in proximity And witnessed His resurrection, the risen hope of life [Final Chorus] Is it no wonder God placed His trust in women Known to forget their sorrows that comfort might be shown Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children

Rocking a child...gently, she knows the world's won't pass her by

For she is holding tomorrow's future tightly in her arms

Throughout the world, comes the shaping sounds of lullabies

And the soothing call for peacemaking that sweetly disarms

As women of Zion, they know their bodies are not their own

Thus, they refuse to make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb

Ever shaping society by having hearts and hands at home

Thus the beauty of the earth is truly theirs to bloom

Those without husbands or children, or even both

Still know that God loves them,  they are noble and great

That mortality is but a season of trial, learning, and growth,

And that in the eternity those special blessings await

Eternal partners, as equals are supportive...sealed  together

In the temple...before the veil and the altar, the bond becomes clear

Of our regal homecoming, to our eternal Father.... and mother

She, too, makes preparations... planning sights and sounds we'll hear

[Verse 1] Rocking a child, gently She knows the world won't pass her by For she is holding tomorrow's future Tightly in her arms Throughout the world Comes the shaping sounds of lullabies And the soothing call for peacemaking That sweetly disarms [Pre-Chorus] As women of Zion They know their bodies are not "their own" So they guard what is sacred And they do not walk alone [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Verse 2] Thus, they refuse To make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb Ever shaping society With hearts and hands at home Those without husbands or children Or even both Still know that God loves them They are noble and great [Pre-Chorus] That mortality Is but a season of trial, learning, and growth And in eternity Those special blessings await [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Bridge] Eternal partners, as equals Are supportive, sealed together In the temple, before the veil And the altar, the bond becomes clear Of our regal homecoming To our eternal Father and mother She, too, makes preparations Planning sights and sounds we'll hear [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name

Thoughts from:

Neal A. Maxwell
The Women of God
Ensign, May 1978, 10

I Speak to you as One Crying From the Dust

I speak to you as one
Crying from the dust
Respect what's from the Son
Lest ye be condemned, thus

The commandments

The laws of love

The parables

Are from above

Straight from the mouth

Of God's own Son

Have faith about

And hate no one

Learn from those

Who have come before

When pride rose

They forgot the Lord

How quick they forget

Who had blessed them

When they were righteous

They prospered then

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I speak to you as one
Crying from the dust
Respect the words that come
Through the prophets, thus

Verse 1] I speak to you as one Crying from the dust Respect what's from the Son Lest ye be condemned, thus The commandments The laws of love The parables Are from above Straight from the mouth Of God's own Son Have faith about And hate no one [Pre-Chorus] Learn from those Who have come before When pride rose They forgot the Lord How quick they forget Who had blessed them When they were righteous They prospered then [Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now [Verse 2] Learn from those Who came before Keep the humble heart And bless the poor When pride rises high It blinds the day But mercy stays And lights the way The prophets spoke The Son still calls Stand in the truth And hear it all [Pre-Chorus] Learn from those Who have come before When pride rose They forgot the Lord How quick they forget Who had blessed them When they were righteous They prospered then [Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now [Bridge] Respect the words that come Through the prophets, thus Carry them with you When the road turns rough The commandments The laws of love The parables Are from above [Final Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now

Pondering someone who said the Old Testament was for the Jews and not Christians...
2 Nephi
13And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

The Fig Tree

The fig tree strove for perfection
Its leaves grew large and green
But after many seasons of inspection
Not a fruit was ever seen

As much as it might try
To impress and attract
It was as a lie
A counterfeit in fact

Jesus passed by its shade

And saw what could not be hid

It used not God's Light

To help others be fed

Jesus was probably thinking of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin and about the Jewish tradition of cleaning house of leaven bread. 

Verse 1] The fig tree strove for perfection Its leaves grew large and green But after many seasons of inspection Not a fruit was ever seen As much as it might try To impress and attract It was as a lie A counterfeit in fact [Pre-Chorus] Jesus stood at its shade And saw what could not be hid What grew for show alone Could not feed the kids [Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen [Verse 2] It used not God's Light To help others be fed Just broad, empty branches And promise instead So search me deep, Lord Where my roots have gone cold Don’t let me look full And be empty in soul [Pre-Chorus] Jesus stood at its shade And saw what could not be hid What grows for show alone Could not feed the kids [Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen [Bridge] Let mercy make me fruitful Let truth run through my veins If You plant Your life in me Let my seasons change Not for looks, not for praise Not to be seen by men But to carry Your goodness Again and again [Final Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Jesus, make me clean Fruit that others need

A fig tree with lush leaves but no fruit is a "counterfeit" that fails to nourish- referencing Jesus cursing the barren fig tree in Matthew 21.

Christian plea for inner authenticity, mercy, and bearing real spiritual fruit to benefit others rather than seeking outward appearances.

A Testimony Borne Today

A testimony borne today
Can quickly fade away
It must be nourished with light
Sprung from faithfulness bright

A testimony made can grow
Bright and warm like the sun
Setting the spirit aglow
Or diminish away to none

A testimony is as fragile
As capturing a beam of light
It is only there to handle
When you align yourself just right

[Verse 1] A testimony borne today Can quickly fade away It must be nourished with light Sprung from faithfulness bright [Pre-Chorus] A testimony made can grow Bright and warm like the sun Setting the spirit aglow Or diminish away to none [Chorus] Beam of light Hold it right Beam of light Keep it bright A testimony made can grow Beam of light [Verse 2] A testimony is as fragile As capturing a beam of light It is only there to handle When you align yourself just right [Pre-Chorus] A testimony made can grow Bright and warm like the sun Setting the spirit aglow Or diminish away to none [Chorus] Beam of light Hold it right Beam of light Keep it bright A testimony made can grow Beam of light [Bridge] So I watch it, I tend it close When the day goes gray What was given can still shine on If I keep my face turned this way [Final Chorus] Beam of light Hold it right Beam of light Keep it bright A testimony made can grow Bright and warm before my eyes Beam of ligh


thoughts from:
“The testimony you have today will not be your testimony of tomorrow. Your testimony is either going to grow and grow and grow until it becomes as the brightness of the sun, or it is going to diminish to nothing, depending on what you do about it.”
Harold B. Lee

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“Testimony isn’t something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile. It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It is something you have to recapture every day of your life.”
Harold B. Lee

Pray Always

Prayer, with loved ones invited
Brings us close. We are united
Can they substitute our own?
Where are heartfelt thoughts most grown?
The oft public and family prayers we give
Cannot be considered our sole motive

We ought to pray vocally
Even when said privately
Home teachers, they with priesthood
Can remind us that we should
Though amidst anxieties we attempt
Though darkness tells us not to and will tempt

The Lord cautioned Joseph Smith
Pray lest that which is wicked
Tries to deceive and over power you.
Through prayer, there's protection in all we do
Lest we find we are led into temptation
From the downed lines of communication

To those who are in trouble
Who feels their needs have doubled
What's the first thought one should say?
"Are you involved when you pray?"
There is knowledge God wants us to receive
Prayer is more powerful that we can conceive

For decisions in our lives
For direction as one strives
We can pray more fervently
Tenderly and honestly
Who will not gain love for His purposes?
As one demonstrates more faith and focuses

[Verse 1] Prayer, with loved ones invited Brings us close We are united Can they substitute our own? Where are heartfelt thoughts most grown? [Pre-Chorus] The oft public and family prayers we give Cannot be considered our sole motive We ought to pray vocally Even when said privately [Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside [Verse 2] Home teachers, they with priesthood Can remind us that we should Though amidst anxieties we attempt Though darkness tells us not to and will tempt The Lord cautioned Joseph Smith Pray lest that which is wicked Tries to deceive and over power you Through prayer, there's protection in all we do [Pre-Chorus] Lest we find we are led into temptation From the downed lines of communication To those who are in trouble Who feels their needs have doubled [Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside [Bridge] What's the first thought one should say? Are you involved when you pray? There is knowledge God wants us to receive Prayer is more powerful that we can conceive For decisions in our lives For direction as one strives We can pray more fervently Tenderly and honestly [Final Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside Who will not gain love For His purposes? As one demonstrates more faith And focuses!

Enos wrestled before God
Now commissioned with the rod
He struggled with how he'd strayed
For sin's remission he prayed
When minutes turned to hours, turned to night
He heard the Lords voice after he cried with might

His soul was searching and reaching
While knocking, asking and pleading
He felt as though born again
The joy in his heart sunk in
He also prayed for all his families
Even though some were also enemies

He sought the lord out in prayer
How his soul hungered, he shared
Memory opened to his past
To the words his father cast
So earnest and determined was his soul
The spirit of repentance took a hold

'Our Father in Heaven
I seek to be forgiven
Help me forgive my debtors
And think on them as brothers
Help me to see each other, as Thou does
Help me to remember from where my start was

And when there is temptation
Help my communication
That evil may not have power
Keep me safe that very hour
For Thine is the power and the kingdom
Thine is the glory, forever. Amen'

Inbetween daily prayers said
May our minds and hearts be fed
May we have hope in all things
And call upon heavens blessings
Supplications, prayers and intercessions
Should, with gratitude, have inner sessions

Verse 1] Now commissioner, keeper of His Word Enos wrestled before God He struggled with how he'd strayed For sin's remission he prayed When minutes turned to hours, turned to night He heard the Lords voice after he cried with might [Pre-Chorus] His soul was searching and reaching While knocking, asking and pleading He felt as though born again The joy in his heart sunk in [Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven [Verse 2] And when there is temptation Help my communication That evil may not have power Keep me safe that very hour For Thine is the power and the kingdom Thine is the glory, forever. Amen [Pre-Chorus] He also prayed for all his families Even though some were also enemies He sought the lord out in prayer How his soul hungered, he shared Memory opened to his past To the words his father cast [Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven [Bridge] In between daily prayers said May our minds and hearts be fed May we have hope in all things And call upon heavens blessings Supplications, prayers and intercessions Should, with gratitude, have inner sessions [Final Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven

Spencer W. Kimball
Pray Always , Tabuli, March 1982

3Nephi
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.

D&C 93
49 What I say unto one I say unto all;
pray always lest that wicked one have power in you,
and remove you out of your place.

1 Tim. 2: 1
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men;

D&C 20: 47, 51
47 And visit the house of each member,
and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret
and attend to all family duties.
• • •
51 And visit the house of each member,
exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret
and attend to all family duties.

D&C 19: 28
28 And again, I command thee
that thou shalt pray vocally
as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world
as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.

JS-H 1: 14
14 So, in accordance with this,
my determination to ask of God,
I retired to the woods to make the attempt.
It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day,
early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty.
It was the first time in my life that I had made such
an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never
as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

He is Risen: John the Beloved's Witness of the Resurrection- Light Love and Mercy

The Son, even on the cross,
Showed the way for all to see
That our souls need not be lost
He is light, love, and mercy

He sees the bigger picture
Beyond every sorrow and pain
He calls to hearts to assure
The repentant have peace to gain

In His intense suffering
He paid the price for sin
He leads the way offering
Eternal life with Him

He Is Light Love and Mercy

Verse 1] The Son, even on the cross, Showed the way for all to see That our souls need not be lost He is light, love, and mercy [Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Calling every heart by name Through the sorrow, through the pain His forgiveness stays the same He is light, love, and mercy [Verse 2] He sees the bigger picture Beyond every sorrow and pain He calls to hearts to assure The repentant have peace to gain [Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Calling every heart by name Through the sorrow, through the pain His forgiveness stays the same He is light, love, and mercy [Verse 3] In His intense suffering He paid the price for sin He leads the way offering Eternal life with Him [Bridge] When the road is hard to follow When the past will not let go Turn your heart toward His promise There is peace for you to know [Final Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Calling every heart by name Through the sorrow, through the pain His forgiveness stays the same He is light, love, and mercy Eternal life with Him [Outro] Light, love, and mercy Eternal life with Him

Light Love and Mercy

Verse 1] The Son, even on the cross, Showed the way for all to see That our souls need not be lost He is light, love, and mercy He sees the bigger picture Beyond every sorrow and pain He calls to hearts to assure The repentant have peace to gain [Pre-Chorus] In His intense suffering He paid the price for sin Still He stands, still He saves And leads us back again [Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Light, love, and mercy He is light, love, and mercy Eternal life with Him [Verse 2] In the shadow of the cross Grace was written in His wounds Every shame and every loss Met the dawn that broke too soon When the guilty turn and come He does not turn them away Open arms and open sky Promise mercy for today [Pre-Chorus] In His intense suffering He paid the price for sin Still He stands, still He saves And leads us back again [Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Light, love, and mercy He is light, love, and mercy Eternal life with Him [Bridge] Show us how to kneel Show us how to rise At the foot of mercy Where the old life dies [Chorus] He is light, love, and mercy Light, love, and mercy He is light, love, and mercy Eternal life with Him

mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

The Nativity - Joy To The World -Christmas

Candles are being lit

All the world over

The story's being read

Cover to cover

See the baby Jesus

A bright star lights the sky

Condescended for us

Born of a virgin, the sign

Let the good news now spread

That the Prince of Peace did come

Of loaves and truth, He fed

And redeemed us, He the Son

Now, in homes, last of all

Let the bright star be raised

Atop evergreens tall

His blessed name be praised

Verse 1] Candles are being lit All the world over The story's being read Cover to cover See the baby Jesus A bright star lights the sky [Pre-Chorus] Condescended for us Born of a virgin, the sign Let the good news now spread The King has come tonight [Chorus] Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread The Prince of Peace did come Born to save us all Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread His blessed name be praised Over homes and hearts [Verse 2] Of loaves and truth, He fed And redeemed us, He the Son Grace in every wound Mercy in His hands Now in homes, last of all We gather round and sing Near a star topped evergreen tall His blessed name be praised [Pre-Chorus] Condescended for us Born of a virgin, the sign Let the good news now spread The King has come tonight [Chorus] Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread The Prince of Peace did come Born to save us all Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread His blessed name be praised Over homes and hearts [Bridge] Peace into the broken Light into the night Hope for every wounded soul Held in His sight We bow and we remember The child in Bethlehem The world is turning heavenward Because of Him [Final Chorus] Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread The Prince of Peace did come Born to save us all Let the good news now spread Let the good news now spread His blessed name be praised Jesus, King of all