Do we truly appreciate all the Lord has done for us? He spares us from the only two things that can bring us permanent misery: separation from our bodies and separation from God because of sin. Even as He comforts us through temporary times of challenge and pain, He has prepared our rescue from permanent tragedy.
Jacob, in the Book of Mormon, taught: “O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.”
Someday we will more fully realize how generous and kind the Lord has been to each of us. We will better understand and appreciate the depth of the Savior’s sacrifice and the reality that He and the Father are truly givers of good gifts.
Dance with me, sweet angel, on the balcony tonight. Thrill me with your laughter as you fill my soul with light. The precious moments fly so quick, it’s neither fair nor right. I yearn so much to be with you, to hold you, gently, tight.
Walk with me, sweet angel, through a gentle summer rain, In wooded hills, on sandy shores, or down a country lane. Hand in hand let’s roam the land, cross valley, peak and plain. Enjoy the birds, the winds, the sounds of nature’s sweet refrain.
The stars are out, the night’s divine, The breeze caresses every tree. My heart is full. Complete my life – Sweet angel, will you marry me?
I altered the poem. We lived cities apart and spent most of the time on the phone. "Talk with me, sweet angel, on the telephone tonight." We were at a single's retreat in the mountains when he proposed. There was a live band, but no balcony.
Kiss me, my sweet angel Kiss me long and slow and sweet, Make me shiver, make me shudder, From my head down to my feet.
Every time your lips touch mine, My love, My poor heart skips a beat. What a wondrous thing, your gift of love You make my life complete.
Sleep with me sweet angel Lay your head upon my chest Let me watch you slumber As you take your evening rest
Snuggle close beside me Till the morning brings new light Then rested let us intertwine And find the bed's delight
[Verse 1]
Kiss me
My sweet angel
Kiss me long and slow and sweet
Make me shiver
Make me shudder
From my head down to my feet
Every time your lips touch mine
My love
My poor heart skips a beat
What a wondrous thing
Your gift of love
You make my life complete
[Chorus]
Stay
My sweet angel
Stay here
Don’t let go
Let this quiet
Aching moment
Stretch forever
Soft and low
Stay
My sweet angel
You are all I’ll ever need
Every breath you borrow from me
Gives my tired soul release
[Verse 2]
Sleep with me
Sweet angel
Lay your head upon my chest
Let me watch you slumber
As you take your evening rest
Snuggle close beside me
Till the morning brings new light
Then rested
Let us intertwine
And share the bed’s delight
[Chorus]
Stay
My sweet angel
Stay here
Don’t let go
Let this quiet
Aching moment
Stretch forever
Soft and low
Stay
My sweet angel
You are all I’ll ever need
Every breath you borrow from me
Gives my tired soul release
• Spiritual Renewal: It represents a transformation from a prideful, hardened, or burdened state to one that is humble, pure, and receptive to the Spirit of God.
• Turning to Christ: It happens through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, prayer, studying the scriptures, and keeping commandments.
• Compassion for Others: Leaders like Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and others have emphasized that a truly changed heart overflows with Christlike love, empathy, and kindness toward people.
Wept and stretched forth his arms out to the heavens
His heart swelled wide as eternity
So anguished, he refused any comfort given
The suffering, the measure everywhere
Filled his heart to the brim with empathy
He felt condemned to wallow in despair
And His prayers for the people were many
The Lord spoke, "Lift up your heart, and be glad, and look
A coming day came, before his eyes the Son of Man
The Lamb lifted, slain, such darkness! The ground shook!
The promise of Zion stood, he rejoiced in God's plan
He beheld the reach and breath of the atonement
In a miraculous way, he understood eternity
The infinite and ample provision of redemption
More than enough to cover any pain or iniquity
Anything unfair in life can and will be made right
Through the limitless power of Jesus
Perpetrators and victims can come unto light!
There is dignity and worth within each of us
For each and every soul that was and will ever be
How He yearns to heal and subdue iniquity
To cast all our sins into the depth of the sea
And prepare us for salvation and eternity
Such mercy, such love
My pains are no more
Gone Hell's chains once set
Oh praise Him, our Lord
[Verse 1]
Enoch saw the misery and iniquity
Wept, and stretched his arms toward heaven
His heart swelled wide as eternity
So anguished, he refused all comfort given
[Verse 2]
The suffering, its measure everywhere
Filled his heart to the brim with empathy
He felt condemned to wallow in despair
And prayed for all the people endlessly
[Pre-Chorus]
Then the Lord said, “Lift your heart, be glad, and look”
A coming day appeared before his eyes
[Chorus]
Lifted, God's slain Lamb, the Son of Man
Darkness fell, the trembling earth bore witness
Zion stood beside him in God’s plan
Hope reached through the sorrow, wide and endless
[Verse 3]
He beheld the reach of the Atonement
By a miracle, he understood eternity
Infinite and ample was redemption
More than enough for pain and iniquity
[Chorus]
Lifted God's slain Lamb, the Son of Man
Darkness fell, the trembling earth bore witness
Zion stood beside him in God’s plan
Hope reached through the sorrow, wide and endless
[Bridge]
Anything unfair can yet be made right
Through the limitless power of Jesus
Victims and the guilty may come to the light
There is dignity and worth in each of us
For every soul that was or yet will be
He longs to heal, to conquer iniquity
He casts our sins into the depths of the sea
And leads us toward salvation, eternity
[Final Chorus]
Lifted, God's slain Lamb, the Son of Man
Darkness fell, the trembling earth bore witness
Zion stood beside him in God’s plan
Hope reached through the sorrow, wide and endless
[Outro]
Such mercy, such love
My pains are no more
Hell’s chains are undone
All praise to our Lord
The floor goes sideways with the racing of your heart
The words inside scramble through
Rattled you cannot catch up renewed
Who or what can help you, quick?
The mind can only take so much!
Jesus knew of this and taught us
Through the apostles, on a journey
To a black scarred cave, carved of rock
Which was known as the gates of Hades
At the bottom of Mount Hermon
Lived the wild Greek God, called Pan
Of fertility and wilderness
Which caused a panic in man
Is this the place the Prince of Peace taught
To defy the all consuming spirit of fear
And pronounced peace upon Peter, His rock
Where He will build His church. Was it here?
Soon, Jesus would descend below all things
And fearlessly conquer our sins, sorrows and pain
Through the Spirit of love and priesthood keys
Then, what is bound on earth, Heaven will gain
Matthew 16:17
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!b For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Pan is the Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks, often depicted with the hindquarters and horns of a goat. In Greek mythology, he is known for his rustic music and is a companion of the nymphs. His presence is associated with both joy and panic, which is where the term "panic" originates.
In Roman mythology, Pan is equated with Faunus, who shares similar attributes as the god of the forest, fields, and fertility. Both deities symbolize the untamed aspects of nature and are often depicted in pastoral settings, playing musical instruments like the pan flute, which Pan is famously associated with.
Caesarea Philippi is located at the base of Mount Hermon, a significant geographical and historical site.
Geographic Significance
Location: Caesarea Philippi is situated at the southwestern foothills of Mount Hermon, in northern Israel. This area is known for its dramatic landscapes and natural springs, which contribute to the Jordan River.
Historical Context: The region has a rich history, originally known as Paneas, and was a center for pagan worship before becoming significant in early Christianity.
Biblical Importance
Peter's Confession: This location is where Peter recognized Jesus as the Son of God, marking a pivotal moment in the New Testament.
Transfiguration: It is also believed to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, further enhancing its theological significance.
Verse 1]
I was worn into and out of fear,
At every turn, it would appear.
What could be done—a miracle?
To free my heart from its pull?
[Verse 2]
Like a wild mare held yet straining,
Still she rears, still she is training
Every nerve to bolt and run;
Panic jeers the heart undone.
[Pre-Chorus]
Words within me tumble through,
Rattled, I can’t catch up renewed.
Who can help me, who can stay,
When thought itself gives way?
[Chorus]
Prince of Peace, speak over fear,
Hold me fast; be with me here.
When the ground gives way below,
Thou art still the rock I know.
Bound on earth, in heaven known;
Lead my restless heart back home.
[Verse 3]
Jesus knew the fear that gripped us,
Taught the truth that would equip us.
Apostles walked the ancient way
To Hades’ gates, where shadows lay.
[Verse 4]
At the foot of Hermon’s height,
Pan was named in tales of fright—
Wildness, field, and untamed land,
A fear that seized the heart of man.
[Pre-Chorus]
Was this where the Savior stood,
And spoke of faith that would endure?
Peter, rock, received the call:
His church would never fall.
[Chorus]
Prince of Peace, speak over fear,
Hold me fast; be with me here.
When the ground gives way below,
Thou art still the rock I know.
Bound on earth, in heaven known;
Lead my restless heart back home.
[Bridge]
Soon Thou would descend through pain,
Bear our sins and break their reign.
By the Spirit, love, and keys,
Heaven answers earthly pleas.
[Final Chorus]
Prince of Peace, speak over fear,
Hold me fast; be with me here.
Though the gates of death may stand,
Thy church rests within Thy hand.
Bound on earth, in heaven known;
Lead our restless hearts back home.
[Outro]
Lead my restless heart back home.
He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise? It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes
The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much "We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."
With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to Face another day of humidity and heat It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do
We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box" We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet
It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep, Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say
"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today? I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat; If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"
"Why on missions are the days so much alike? The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"
"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough? People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"
"And what about my family: They don't have much to say I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time? Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"
"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me? "The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"
My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day
I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ" Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet "Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"
My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"
"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"
"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great! I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else- I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"
"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"
"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me" He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above
I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!" I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"
No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before By Elder Troy Whittle Texas Houston listen to this as a song Mission https://ldspoetrybykellymiller.blogspot.com/2008/06/hes-been-there-before.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints
I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.
