We Must Ascertain

We must ascertain
What is for our higher good?
What we now obtain
Starts with could, would, and should

There is knowledge we will gain
from each new role that we fill
As we give and, too, restrain
We use our will, feel and instill

We know achievement
Or feel bereavement
But, did we do our best?
That is the true test

We must ascertain
What's for our higher good?
If we rise up with exertion
We are doing as we should

As we advance in what we know
Our scope of influence does grow
From a shared thought, seeds are planted
Soon, progress sprouts and fruits are granted

Then, we must be insistent
That we remain persistent
For life demands that we compete
And there's objectives that we must meet

[Verse 1] We must ascertain What is for our higher good? What we now obtain Starts with could, would, and should There is knowledge we will gain From each new role that we fill As we give and, too, restrain We use our will, feel and instill [Chorus] We know achievement Or feel bereavement But did we do our best? That is the true test [Verse 2] We must ascertain What's for our higher good? If we rise up with exertion We are doing as we should As we advance in what we know Our scope of influence does grow From a shared thought, seeds are planted Soon, progress sprouts and fruits are granted [Bridge] Then we must be insistent That we remain persistent For life demands that we compete And there's objectives that we must meet [Chorus] We know achievement Or feel bereavement But did we do our best? That is the true test [Outro] We must ascertain What is for our higher good? Step by step, we make the choice To become all that we could

Slopes- Climb the Mountain

The world slides down

Quite a slippery slope

Still, those endowed

Have high reasons to hope

Climb the mountain

You'll find all that you need

Living fountains

Continually feed

Hope for the future

Hope for the family

The Way is made sure

For immortality 

Consistency

Open His holy book

Be meek

Have purpose.  More than just a look

Yes.  Seek

Get into the pages

Be there

The Almighty healer

Shows care

Questions, desires, and needs?

Read on

Then, humbly, on your knees

Pray on

The best of relationships 

Takes time

Let Him touch your heart, your soul,

Your mind

[Verse 1] Open His holy book, be meek Have purpose, more than just a look Yes, seek [Verse 2] Get into the pages, be there The Almighty Healer shows care He meets you there [Chorus] Questions, desires, and needs? Read on Then humbly, on your knees Pray on Pray on [Verse 3] The best of relationships takes time Let Him touch your heart, your soul, your mind Let His truth shine [Chorus] Questions, desires, and needs? Read on Then humbly, on your knees Pray on Pray on [Bridge] Through every page, through every prayer You find His faithful presence there With open hands and a listening heart He leads you gently from the start [Final Chorus] Questions, desires, and needs? Read on Then humbly, on your knees Pray on The best of relationships takes time Let Him touch your heart, your soul, your mind Pray on [Outro] Open the book, be still, seek Walk in His care, be meek Pray on

Put it Away- A Flash of Light- thoughts that put me to sleep

Put it away
That which is dark
Continually pray
Let goodness spark

A flash of light
Is all that you need
To lamp the night
And plant thoughts... to sleep

Safety is found
Peace fills the soul
Sleep comes around...
You awake whole

Verse 1] Put it away That which is dark Continually pray Let goodness spark [Chorus] A flash of light Is all that you need To lamp the night And plant thoughts... to sleep [Verse 2] Safety is found Peace fills the soul Sleep comes around... You awake whole [Bridge] Set down the weight Close every door Rest while the quiet Guards you once more [Chorus] A flash of light Is all that you need To lamp the night And plant thoughts... to sleep [Outro] Safety is found Peace fills the soul Sleep comes around... You awake whole

I was a bit of an insomniac last night.  Thinking of one million martyrs storming Jerusalem to make it their capitol... Prayer and the Book of Mormon restored me.  The Nook went dark and I had a thought: put it away, that which is dark... Which I wrote in the dark on the back of some paper I found in the dark. Interesting- this morning I discovered it was something I meant to read while in 2 Nephi.

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=4&num=1&id=90

The Passage of Time

The passage of time dims our old memories
And none too soon fades our sorrows and worries.
The pioneer trail where tears fell like rain
Now is a roller coaster of grief and pain.

While crimes creep higher to spiral upward
Decency careens society downward
And who can escape as the ride moves faster?
This thrill of the moment speeds to disaster!

Can we muster the courage for today?
As modern pioneers can we show others the way?
The path has been laid to eternity
May we blaze its trail bright with morality!

"Come follow me," 

The Master calls to each
Keep remembering

My spirit's within reach 

[Verse 1] The passage of time dims our old memories And none too soon fades our sorrows and worries The pioneer trail where tears fell like rain Now is a roller coaster of grief and pain [Verse 2] While crimes creep higher to spiral upward Decency careens society downward And who can escape as the ride moves faster? This thrill of the moment speeds to disaster [Chorus] Can we muster the courage for today? As modern pioneers, can we show others the way? The path has been laid to eternity May we blaze its trail bright with morality [Bridge] Come follow me, the Master calls to each Keep remembering, my spirit's within reach When every turn unsettles what we know Hold to the good, and let compassion grow [Final Chorus] Can we muster the courage for today? As modern pioneers, can we show others the way? The path has been laid to eternity May we blaze its trail bright with morality [Outro] Keep remembering My spirit's within reach Keep remembering And walk the path we teach

Thomas S. Monson
'Come Follow Me," Ensign, Jul 1988, 2

Ambassadors to the Stars

 

To the future academy, We lived a dream come true From the back of the moon we watched The earth show its glory, too Take our big bold endeavors You'll achieve more with faith With others seek God's favor To receive needed strength As new ambassadors to the stars You are the best in the industry Take our accomplishments far And make our moon presence enduring Plant the stars and stripes on Mars For the universe to see Along the expanse of stars What you dream can come to be

To the future academy, We lived a dream come true From the back of the moon we watched The Earth reshow its glory, new [Verse 2] Take our big, bold endeavors You'll achieve more with faith With others seek God's favor To receive needed strength [Chorus] As new ambassadors to the stars You are the best in the industry Take our accomplishments far And make our moon presence enduring [Verse 3] Plant the stars and stripes on Mars For the universe to see Along the expanse of stars What you dream can come to be [Bridge] Carry the questions farther Build with courage, hand in hand Let the work outlive the moment Let hope guide where you stand [Final Chorus] As new ambassadors to the stars You are the best in the industry Take our accomplishments far And make our moon presence enduring Plant the stars and stripes on Mars For the universe to see Along the expanse of stars What you dream can come to be [Outro] To the future academy, The next horizon waits for you

What an inspiring speech!  A real celebration!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCP4WD6oG_U

Jared Isaacman, recently confirmed as NASA's 15th Administrator in December 2025 under President Trump.

He  envisions bold space achievements beyond viewing Earth from the Moon's far side, by establishing a lasting lunar presence, and planting the U.S. flag on Mars through faith-driven endeavors.

You Were There All Along

 A man was fighting the waves

Taking him out to sea

He prayed to God who saves

Only Him he wanted to see

For a life guard threw him a float

Yet he said, "Thanks, I'm just fine"

He knew his best friend would show

The life guard didn't want a fight

Next came a life boat, 

Accepting their float

On he continued to sea

Waiting for God, but he did not see

That it was Him who sent each float

A day, a night, a day

Still he floated on

Then he heard a voice say,

"I was there twice! You were wrong!"

Soon, he saw a fisherman

And waved for him to save

He knew that God had sent them

He said goodbye to pride with a wave

Last, he seemed to hear

"Whether by my servant or me, it is the same"

I felt His presence near

I felt such joy!  All along it was Him who came!

[Verse 1] A man was fighting waves that pulled him out to sea He prayed to God who saves, “Please come and rescue me” A lifeguard threw a float; he answered, “I’m alright” “My closest friend will come for me; I’m waiting for His sign” [Verse 2] A boat came riding near and offered him a place He thanked them for the float, then turned away his face He watched the water rise beneath the fading blue Still waiting for the hand of God, not knowing what God knew [Chorus] You were there in every helping hand In every voice that called me back to land I looked for You beyond the open sea But every rescue was Your mercy reaching me You were there, You were there all along I mistook Your answer for a different song [Verse 3] A day, a night, a day, he drifted on alone Then a quiet voice replied, “You missed what I had shown I sent the float, I sent the boat, I called you from the waves How many times must love arrive before a heart is saved?” [Chorus] You were there in every helping hand In every voice that called me back to land I looked for You beyond the open sea But every rescue was Your mercy reaching me You were there, You were there all along I mistook Your answer for a different song [Bridge] Then a fisherman appeared and heard him call for aid He lowered down a line, and pride began to fade He whispered, “God has sent you,” and climbed aboard at last The shore grew clear before his eyes; the danger drifted past [Final Chorus] You were there in every helping hand In every voice that called me back to land Whether servant, stranger, friend, or You The saving love was always coming through You were there, You were there all along I was held before I knew where I belonged [Outro] I felt Your presence near, and all my fear was gone Every path that brought me home was Yours all along

I remember hearing a story similar to this, but the man drowns.  I didn't like that.

@Scottobix