Poems based on President Uchtdorf's talks

The Wind Beneath our Wings

What laws of nature will carry us on our flight?
Over high mountains to a destination bright?
A strong forward thrust, a powerful uplift.
With faith- the principle power- in the cockpit.
We're on a journey, the gospel is at the core-
at the center of our hearts and forevermore.

With agency, we choose Jesus as copilot.
With Him we spiritually soar more self-reliant.
He's placed His temples as beacons to light our way
Towards Heav'nly Father whom we love and obey
Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives
Our Savior teaches us how to prioritize.

We've the commandments, we take on Jesus' name.
The test comes in practicing what we proclaim.
For Christlike attributes, we take directions.
We'll be contrite in spirit and make corrections.
With faith and hope over oceans of temptations.
The winds' beneath our wings for our destination.
-Elder Uchtdorf


1903

In 1903, A dream of mankind was fulfilled
Wilbur and Orville made the first controlled powered flight
They'd worked many jobs. But, as inventors, how they thrilled.
For 13 seconds they soared and proved their hopes were right.

They'd done their homework. They knew the laws of gravity.
They had controls, wings and an engine to stay aloft.
They could get up off the ground and brave they proved to be.
They were determined and they did not heed those who scoffed.
------------------------------------------------
With our goals defined, and if we work diligently.
We will soon be on a controlled path that takes us far
Where self mastery and the Spirit guides us gently.
And choices mirror where our thoughts and desires are.

To lift up our souls we raise our eyes unto the hills.
Where there is brightness above the thick clouds which threaten.
Where there is brilliance so bright that the whole being thrills.
Where shines God's power to lift us up and thus strengthen.
- Elder Uchtdorf


Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?
It is true there are wars and rumors of wars.
But, our hearts shall not fear, nor will we ignore
The reasons we have to rejoice and live for.
We've our Lord's atonement- we've forevermore.

And despite all of our downward tendencies,
We can have light and hope amidst challenges.
For, these too shall be but for experience.
Let's rejoice and sing songs - and depart not hence.

The gospels sweet message enlightens our mind.
Warms our heart, no matter what troubles we find.
Our eyes change and we leave old viewpoints behind.
Then we can focus on- being meek and kind.

Our Lord has divine power that lifts to new heights.
His grace is sufficient, He helps raise our sights.
When burdens are too great, He'll help make them light.
Let's turn to Him with all- our hearts, soul and might.

What is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
It's good news, glad tidings, it is truth and light.
No other name given brings eternal life.
He declares in plainness - and our souls delight.

We've the first principles and we've ord'nances.
Our faith is unshaken, we'll prove we're steadfast.
We offer broken hearts, there's second chances.
We are as new creatures- we've divine guidance.

And what does it mean to endure to the end?
The straight and narrow path, takes us past hard bends.
And as we hang on tight, this command He sends:
From sunrise to sunrise- love your fellowmen.

Jesus Christ wants us to succeed in this life.
Though mountains shall depart, He is ever kind.
He'll help us be faithful, though there's sins and strife.
The Savior heals our hearts- and our wounds He binds.
-Elder Uchtdorf


Point of Safe Return

Can we pass the point of safe return?
Where going back is not an option?
The gospel provides extra fuel to burn,
To find, with hope, our destination.
If we have sinned, if we have gone wrong,
We can repent through the Lord's atonement.
Through Christ we are never too far gone.
Though Satan misquotes the scriptures intent.
He would like to imply there is no mercy.
To make us lose hope and become like him.
His counterfeit work has deceived many.
He's the “accuser” and author of sin.

What is God's plan for our safe return?
Jesus and His perfect Atonement.
It's up to us to learn and to discern.
Just why from the Father, the Savior was sent.
This life is our time of probation.
Our time to feel the consequence for sin,
Let's value the plan of redemption,
Where we feel love and mercy from within.
This is His work, His plan of happiness.
Though His influence goes undetected
When we don't feel we've His forgiveness,
With His wings, we're divinely protected.


We're all short of the glory of God.
We can witness the bitter pains of sin.
His mercy leads to safe routes with His rod-
To hope, no matter what trouble we're in.
We know forgiveness is as real as sin.
When there's faith, there's nothing wavering.
The tormented soul can be forgiven.
Where there's joy so sweet as for savoring.
Clean confession yields a fresh attitude,
To a brilliant day despite the night.
Where grace saves after all that we do,
Grace brings us back, choosing more of what's right.

How can we know we've been forgiven?
God will wipe away our tears of anguish.
Thus, we're enjoying His loving influence,
His encircling arms, one can distinguish.
Christ will carry burdens and our guilt.
When we're clean, the Holy Ghost verifies.
As it testifies, our strength is built.
We'll feel new again, as it sanctifies.
Our Savior taught us of this eternal truth.
He taught us how He'll forgive all debt.
We, must forgive debtors we are bound to.
On this journey that's not over yet.

Satan lies and tries to torment us.
He knows we dwell on sins that we commit.
By remembering sins we're kept with justice-
From a broken heart, contrite in spirit.
We must show courage and be nobler.
We can face strong headwinds, low altitudes,
And, diversions of the destroyer
If we develop Christ-like attributes
We'll purge the heart and mind of what weakens.
Christ saves us, from our thoughts that undermine.
It is our time to soar with joys endless.
The atonement's for all- all of the time.

- Elder Uchtdorf

Blessings of the Restoration

Early in the spring
Of eighteen hundred and twenty
With light descending
Joseph learned of love and mercy

Through study and prayer
We are blessed with firm faith in Christ.
Thus, we can declare,
Joseph Smith's vision blesses lives.

This testimony
Comes as an universal gift.
With matchless bounty
And encircling love that does lift.

Humbly and with faith,
We can know for ourselves this truth.
Others show the way-
Souls enlarge, minds enlighten too.

Joseph, we honor
For his great faith and heart of gold.
We, too, won't cower-
We can testify with hearts bold.

-President Uchtdorf


See the End from the Beginning

We can see the end
From the beginning
As with hearts we tend
To righteous living

If we trust the Lord
And learn to obey
We are in accord
For a chosen way

The priesthood we bear
Is a force for good
We extend God's care
And do as He would

When we're positive
And self- disciplined
We've freedom to live
And with laws we blend

God's hand's over us
He knows what's latent
There is much to trust
That's beyond this moment

We have potential
And God knows each strength
What is essential
To reach high at length?

For the Strength of Youth
Gives temple standards
We must live its truths
To our core innards

Though we are challenged
With uncertain times
We're not discouraged
There's work, as one climbs

Doubts we entertain
And frustrations too
Help Satan to reign
Our ears are his tool

He whispers "give up,
You will not succeed"
But, that's not enough!
We know God does lead

We know we must learn
To follow God's will
For this we must yearn
For this we must thrill

The Spirit tell us
Whom we should follow
Our Beloved Jesus
Our Lord, we'll all know

May we recognize
Our need to convert
The atonement buys
We must not revert

Immortality!
Plus eternal life!
Principality
Bought with all our strife

It is for this end
That we can see now
May our heart now tend
To what God would to endow

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign May 2006


What a Joy to Have a Prophet

What a joy to have a prophet
We are privileged to be taught
May his words to us now uplift
May we follow as we ought

Here the joy is universal
As we're spirits of our God
Now the gospel's in dispersal
May we sing hymns to our God

We've been blessed by pioneer Saints
They showed courage through the years
Following the prophet with faith
We feel kinship with their tears

Our Lord's redeemed every human
And His work has been unfurled
Now the gospel's reaching to them
By those around all this world

God speaks with a perfect clear voice
Through His watchmen on the towers
He calms fears and our hearts rejoice
As we're blessed with love He showers

There's a balm in Gilead assured
As we become diligent
Through the prophet, we are encouraged
May we do as we've been sent

May we learn wisdom and order
And find within given strength
Peace will be a lovely border
When we've the Lord close at length

2 Nephi 31:3
3 For my soul delighteth in plainness;
for after this manner doth the Lord God
work among the children of men.
For the Lord God giveth light unto the
understanding; for he speaketh unto men
according to their language, unto their understanding

Mosiah 4:27
27 And see that all these things are done
in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite
that a man should run faster than he has
strength. And again, it is expedient
that he should be diligent,
that thereby he might win the prize;
therefore, all things must be done in order.


Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
“Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,”
Liahona, Jul 2008, 2–5



A Passenger Jet Took Flight

A passenger jet took flight
In nineteen seventy-nine
To overlook the sight
Of a world white and sublime

To Antarctica and back
With preset coordinates
But, they were two degrees off track
As they descended for just minutes

The white of the clouds above
And the white of all that was below
Hid, till the panels sounded of
What was all in white- soon to show

It was too late, when they saw in terror
A volcano of 12,000 feet!
Twenty-eight miles off course from one error
Of a matter of just a few degrees!

All the passengers were killed on board
As the plane crashed into the volcano
From an error they went way off course
And became a lesson for all to know

In all our actions and all our roles
The longer it takes to get on course
The greater the distance from our goal
And come when it is too late- Oh, the remorse

When to laws we don't adhere
Irregardless of how we've strayed
The way back is certain and clear
As for us the Lord has paid

As we are agents unto ourselves
We should show gratitude for our lives
And measure our actions as one delves
Treasuring the journey as one strives

The difference between happiness
That's eternal and misery
Oft lies between our repentance
And our knowledge of mapery

A Matter of a Few Degrees
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign May 2008, 57