And the Lord Called His People Zion

When we look at our spiritual heritage
We've intensified hope and lengthen our stride
When we're kind and don't give into disparage
We rescue all that is finest deep inside

As we practice virtue and holiness
We give and receive, we share and build character
There to ignore all forms of lasciviousness
And grow as a Zion, where each need is factored

Gone would be strife, tumults, and whoredoms
As to our neighbors, we aim to be handier
And, without lies, we know more freedoms,
As with each other, we could not be happier

We'd be partakers of a heavenly gift
With a remission of sins from day to day
Both physically and spiritually, we'd not drift
As hunger and nakedness is swept away

To dwell in righteousness, we'd be so kind
We'd aid the sick giving a shoulder to lean and cry on
How we'd celebrate to live of one heart and one mind!
Who does not thrill of this depiction of zion?

In fourth Nephi, we witness it's blessing
As the "ites" all blended to become delightsome
For they'd lost all desire to do bad things
And grew more grateful, selfless, and wholesome

Who can look upon another who has much less
And say to themselves their poverty is just
When of the whole world, our Father would that we bless
For when we've robes and they've rags, we know what's a must

Our highest spiritual achievement is when
Those who are dependent can learn a new way
And soon more are teaching others this lesson
Till the curse of idleness is done away

As givers gain control of their desires
And properly see their own needs from their wants
The welfare service in action never tires
And one's measure of love is known all at once

How we treat man, measures our love for the Lord
What's the highest achievement? To conquer the flesh!
Then we're rich in spirit, we're of one accord
And when we're all Christ-like, our purposes mesh

To love is the first of all the commandments
With welfare as the essence of the gospel
Zion will put on her beautiful garments
When we learn to apply this crowning principle

If we give a generous fast offering
We'll meet the cash needs of the welfare program
And physical needs we'll soon be tempering
As we're provident and each are safe in God's plan

The stakes of Zion serve as our defense
Where we are promised a refuge from the storm
In the face of difficult times, it's a safe fence
Where there's obedience as gardens there to form


Spencer W. Kimball

Treasure of Eternal Value

Where lies the buried treasure?
If only map pieces could be found
Lost marks here and there measure
What lies concealed beneath the ground

But there's danger on this path
Much lurks ahead darkly concealed
Waiting to pronounce great wrath
Where consuming greed is revealed

Where has this obsession led?
Can it ever be satisfied?
What are riches to the dead?
Moth and rust cannot be denied

But in another setting
There lies treasure bright and surreal
It is up skyward jetting
Where thieves do not break through nor steal

The promised treasure is untold
It beckons those pure to advance
Endless numbers will behold
From the Master- inheritance

Lay this treasure in your heart
And seek no more for earthly wealth
Learn from your past and now start
Gone the need to live in stealth

There will be forks and turnings
As you journey to the future
But with hard work and yearnings
You'll obtain that heart so pure

You must prepare for each day
This heart's made in word and in deed
And old longings you must stay
You must love and share without greed

To obtain your highest need...
Search this treasure map with known marks
Each step must be done, indeed
With stable footings, and gold hearts

-Thomas S. Monson

Treasure of Eternal Value - Liahona Apr. 2008 - liahona - LDS.org

www.lds.org/liahona/2008/04/treasure-of-eternal-value?lang=eng

Feb 1, 2012 – See Other Languages on LDS.org ... By President Thomas S. Monson... When I was a boy, I enjoyed reading Treasure Island, by Robert Louis ...

Who Can Ascend Above the Clouds

Who can ascend above the clouds?

Where a road of white enshrouds

And travel where sky is all you know

There to find rest from what's down below

Do the angels travel high this way?

As they look o'er what we do

May we testify on fast Sunday

So they can look upon us anew

And may they be found beside me

To my left and to my right

To bear me up in my times of need

And keep me safe through the day and night

Flight home from Maryland

Achievement Day Poem

We learn how to be hopeful
As we grow in the gospel
And put to practice being faithful

When we think to give service
We find that we have purpose
So, let's give to others to bless

I can teach someone something
That is very interesting
A talent is for sharing while developing

For the future I'll prepare
Like stitches sown with care
Making of me something grand and rare


A call to:
learn and live the gospel
serve others
develop talents
prepare for the future

The Miracle of the Holy Bible

Four thousand years of sacred history-
The Bible was preserved by holy men
For its accounts of Christ's words and ministry
We treasure the old and new testament

Protected throughout the dark ages
Through countless conflicts of generations
These works still speak of Christ in its pages
Though it passed through many hands and translations

We owe so much for each man's inspired words
We owe so much to the many martyrs
Who served all their lives and made record
And... too, we revere those called the reformers

God does direct what His scriptures should say
He's whom we place our trust and confidence
We are blessed to have the holy bible today
Divinely, as it's not by chance or coincidence

Here we learn of the teachings of Jesus
Here love and obedience can increase
Honest study of holy words help us
On our quest to find perspective and peace

Tens of millions find God in the Bible
Here they find truth to feed and guide their faith
Their dream to have freedoms, were not idle
They sought to be led by God and not fate

When the bible went into the household
It helped each man to search which doctrines were true
Now more light and wisdom can and does unfold
Influenced by one who asked what to do

Prompted by words he read in the bible
He went alone to a grove, to God beseech
Now what happened next, there's no denial
God and Jesus came to Joseph to teach

Without the bible, where would mankind be?
It led Joseph, who was then schooled for manhood
From golden plates, he began translating
That God's church could be restored and His priesthood

Now we've the most correct of any book
For it was preserved and protected for our day
Translated by seers through which he would look
It's become the Bible's companion works, today

Now, we've another testament of Christ
As the world grows in knowledge of all kinds
We're thankful our father hears our cries
And that to every humble seeker- truth he finds

The bible is a pillar of our faith
And is a powerful witness of the Savior
It witnesses anew, and may God be praised
For the Latter- Days, we have help to endure!

M. Russell Ballard
The Miracle of the Holy Bible
Liahona, May 2007, 80–82

Listen to Learn

Here's good counsel to receive instruction
So you're found wise and safe from destruction
Surely, there's wisdom which comes from our neighbors,
Children, parents, leaders, as well as our Savior
Are we eager to listen, when marked by distress?
Or when there are trials we need to address?

When others express anguish, do we listen?
With both ears? Do we have time to fit them in?
When someone has trauma they speak openly
Do we interrupt and behave shockingly?
We can try to understand others distressed feelings
So we're not ignoring, harming, or pretending!

As when young people are lonely or troubled
Their need for us to listen is doubled
When they are ranting like a frenzied beast
Seemingly to deserve favor the least
The wise listener learns well from these children
That there's a reaching of hearts and soothing of mayhem

The husband and wife communicate best- together
As they try to learn from one- another
Talking time is prime for love and commitment
For weeds too oft choke out fruits requirement
Then when the garden is well cultivated
A marriage is proven, sweet, and dedicated

When we listen, it promotes tolerance
We learn one's true intent and sentiments
Even if the persuasions are diverse
We can be polite when ere we converse
We learn to listen and listen to learn
Truly this is how the spirit discerns

In our day the prophet is far reaching
And we must turn our ears to his teachings
He offers wisdom... how life is best enjoyed
Those who ignore will one day be destroyed
When we incline our ears, we listen
And.... we can see with them... the vision

We need to listen... to hearken, and obey
This is true, ever, when we read, ponder, or pray
We feel inspired, we speak and then we wait
To understand the answer which comes but by faith
We lend an ear unto counsel, with covenants and laws kept
Line upon line, we then hear our Father's own precepts

Russell M. Nelson
Listen to Learn
Ensign, May 1991, 22

Give Heed Unto the Word of the Lord

The body needs sunlight, exercise, good food and rest
To protect it from diseases ravaging effects
Our spirits need nourishment to wax strong in the truth
We've been told to feast upon the word as though it were food

In the preexistence, our spirits learned and developed
Now on the earth we've bodies to which its been enveloped
The body and the spirit must each define their role
If we travel in happenstance, how do we reach our goal?

For knowledge and experience is why to earth we came
We've agency, for good or bad, and we've no one else to blame
And after this second estate, there's much for which we've in store
One day, in perfect form, we'll have forever more

But, this is not as easy as it seems, it's a test
There's unseen opposition that works and doesn't need to rest
They without bodies, serve Satan, each a cast out spirit
And they're relentless and cunning and too, desperate

For safety, we must obtain and study God's holy record
And hold to the rod and heed the good word of the Lord
We must beware of all that's increasingly bad
And, avoid me-ism to enjoy all that God has

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, heals and prepares us for the last day
He has led a perfect life and our ransom he has paid
He is the perfect example of what we should be here
We should strive to always have His spirit to be near

L. Tom Perry

Poems based on Elder McConkie's talks

A New Commandment, Save Thyself and Thy Kindred

Save thyself and thy kindred
There's redemption for the dead
We have two visions of salvation
To the Latter-Days there's revelation

Brother Joseph's vision adds to us light
They which are baptized, though dead, do rise
And, President Joseph F. Smith saw much too
He saw the innumerable dead and we've work to do

They've gospel truths which otherwise aren't found
They've come by way of commandment and we are bound
God's streams of living waters do and yet flow
Giving us the light and knowledge we need to know

From these two visions we must acknowledge
We have received further light and knowledge
His voice is still heard, His words are without end
The gospel has taught us how to save our kindred


The Caravan Moves On

Do I worship God who created earth and space?
Do I put Him first as He fills my life with grace?
Do I think on Him? Is His countenance on my face?
As His disciple, will I pass the test?
Humbling serving Him, have I done my best?

The Lord's Caravan moves with captains all in place.
Though there are vicious dogs that snap at the heels to chase.
His caravan grows, and moves at its appointed pace.
The Church will triumph. Though there are predators.
Lurking to confuse weary travelers.

Am I enduring? This is the life that I craved!
With fear and trembling, only valiant Saints are saved.
With God's attributes, I will keep on the path Christ paved,
There are ravines to cross and steep grades to climb.
His oxen are strong, His teamsters are wise.

Although hell does rage and some try us and defame.
Prophet Joseph Smith- I will honor his good name.
Powers and priesthood and seers for the latter-day.
Though the storms may rage, Caravan move on.
Floods may wash the bridge. Such is life. Move on.

Have I kept the faith? Have I tried with all my might?
Do I spend my days with love of life, full of light?
Do I please my God? Serving purposely day and night?
We've much more to go- rivers we must ford,
To a celestial place, resting with our Lord.

The Coming Tests and Trials and Glory

Today

We stand today on a mountain peak
Humbled for there is so much more to seek
In the midst of the mountains of Israel
The long vast panavision found is surreal

To gain this height we have climbed up switches
Past forests of evil where sin's grime stretches
Past canyons, cliffs, and crags where some plummet
Yet, we've struggled and reached this high summit

Along the way as we've upwards climbed
Past roaring rivers of hate and crime
As we trudge forward, sharp rocks cut our feet
We are leery of jackals there to meet

We saw the lion's lair and serpents coiled on ledges
And something lurking low in the brush along the dark edges
Yet, far in the distance... hid in the clouds
A morning mist exists and on Mt. Zion enshrouds


Yesterday

This Mount is the grandest peak of all
Where Heavenly angels beckon and call
Here are assembled the church of the first born
And...looking back we see their trails they have worn



Yet, still... the view is glorious indeed
We can hear praise for their every deed
As Angel Moroni flies high in the midst
From his trump, lo- here his strength to enlist



While angelic ministrants come with keys
What is rolling forth to fill the earth with peace?
A little stone that's been cut without hands
Shorn from where the Lord's house gloriously stands


As the stone breaks up earthly kingdom's damage
It gains strength to smite the Babylonian image
Then, hear the Elders cry unto these nations:
"Repent and assemble where one now stations!"

We see stakes and temples dotting the ground
Where gifts, signs, and miracles light and abound
As the sick are healed and dead are raised
While the power of God, in song is praised

Amidst this is toil and sorrow and test
From which we abide covenants the best
God's elect here are strengthened, schooled, and bred
While murderers try their blood to shed

We see Nauvoo in flames by those depraved
We see snow, bitter cold, death, and graves
With a new leader t'wards their promised land
"All is Well," is sung, as in strength they band

Here, they lay all they have on the alter
Proven and driven their faith cannot falter
Then with a new prophet, they show they're not weak
As towards Mt. Zion, these trails they did seek

As our eyes watch all that lies here below
We rejoice that there is so much more to know
With such joy, how we anticipate tomorrow
Though we too may face suffering and sorrow

For we know we too will face great perils
As we're tested with our own severe trials
May our shoes be off, when there we're found
As though we stand upon holy ground

There to ponder and count the great blessings
Of following the pioneers and their old treadings
Crest upon crest on their charted course
We are hit with emotions full force

Tomorrow
As what we can see causes us to rejoice
For those with clean hands and pure hearts are choice
What we can see causes to tremble
As we weep for those who's faith dimmed and crumbled


We see wars and plagues coming to cover earth's kingdoms
As the wayward and worldly abuse God given freedoms
While some in the church drop down to this pattern
And fall by the wayside all bruised up and tattered


But, the Lord's caravan must roll ever forward
To all the nations it must move toward
Our missionary's must give strong utterance
Till Ishmael's tribes have found their inheritance

As the stone breaks down all the barriers
We will not stop a while nor tarry here
For we see saints of the most high worshipping
In Moscow, Saigon and in Peking

In Egypt, India, and Africa
As contrails burst from America
We see Saints of God all the world over
Standing with lights and guides, that empower

Helping God's kingdom become triumphant
While our children take a virtuous stand
Crowned with God's power, defending truth
We see great wisdom of those still in youth

This vision is not all sweetness, peace, and light
There's greater evils, than at any time
As the Saints prepare to meet their God
Sinking depravity rides hard shod

Hearts become heavy with forebodings
While liars, thieves, and murderers connive... goading
With blood, death, and carnage found everywhere
Mankind's hearts are finding it hard to care

Adulterers, fornicators, and homosexuals
Take the place of families as modern usuals
There to glorify all that is lewd and base
As the work of the Lord rolls on more in haste

While Satan reigns in the hearts of men
He'll show his power with Gadiantons
They'll fill the judgment seats of all the nations
They'll overthrow freedoms with seductive sedition

Amidst it all there are revelations
There are prophecies and more- there are visions
There are gifts, signs, and marvellous miracles
As the works of the Spirit of God more fulfills

Amid this believing souls are born again
Preparing for God, there to dwell with Him
Is it any wonder that we rejoice?
Amid commotion there's a still small voice

The ungodly will be swept out from the church
As the little stone fills more of the whole earth
Then God's house of Zion will be found unmoved
Amidst great trembling, the Mt. is best proved

Ahead of us lies what's dark, dreary, and dreadful
And upon each issue we must be careful
The blood of the martyrs will poor again
As though doors in Carthage enclose to end

We must heed the Prophet and his Apostles
And allow their words to penetrate our auricles
As whether in life or death, we will soon see
Our blessed Lord return in all His Glory

Those blessed will see New Jerusalem coming down
To join the Holy City we have built sound
There we'll mingle with Enoch's pure city
While we worship and serve the Lord in vicinity

New Jerusalem
From peak to peak, hear the echoing soft strains?
Glory to the Lord our God, in song it acclaims
For much comes to the ears of those who are meek
There to hold dear to the heart things unlawful to speak

From peak to peak the echoing strains acclaim:
Glory and honor unto the Lord our God.
Let heaven and earth acclaim his name,
For he hath wrought wondrous works near and abroad.

Sing unto him, for he sendeth his angel
And restoreth his pure word in these latter days
He who calleth truth and raineth from heaven
Blessed be his great and righteous ways

He restoreth the kingdom to Israel;
And gathereth his elect from all nations;
He inviteth the Gentiles to join with his people.
For he cometh to reign gloriously where man stations.

He cometh with fire, and the wicked are stubble.
He cometh with loving kindness,
And his redeemed will inherit the earth.
To live as Zion, praising the highest.

Sing unto him for his wondrous works.
Blessed be his great and holy name.
All glory to the Lord our King.
As his words to our hearts echo and remain.


We hear things not lawful to utter;
Which cometh to us for our witness
That He who called his ancient people,
Guideth and preserveth now in peace and rest

Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign 1980
"The Coming Tests and Trials and Glory


The More I Repent, The More I Know

The more I repent, the more I know
That to become clean is a gift
As blessings from the Lord soon show
And help me that I not drift

Every day and every hour
Is not too high a price to pay
For the devil would to me devour
As he tempts me into harms way

Thoughts from Bruce R. McConkie's
quote pg. 61 in
Addiction Recovery Program

A New Commandment, Save Thyself and Thy Kindred

Save thyself and thy kindred
There's redemption for the dead
We have two visions of salvation
To the Latter-Days there's revelation

Brother Joseph's vision adds to us light
They which are baptized, though dead, do rise
And, President Joseph F. Smith saw much too
He saw the innumerable dead and we've work to do

They've gospel truths which otherwise aren't found
They've come by way of commandment and we are bound
God's streams of living waters do and yet flow
Giving us the light and knowledge we need to know

From these two visions we must acknowledge
We have received further light and knowledge
His voice is still heard, His words are without end
The gospel has taught us how to save our kindred

-Bruce R. McConkie
A New Commandment: Save Thyself and Thy Kindred!,
Ensign, Aug 1976, 7

Corinthians 15:29
Else what shall they do which are baptized
for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?
why are they then baptized for the dead?

The Gospel Vision of the Arts

In our world there have risen brilliant stars
Bursting from all the fields of excellence
One day our members will exceed others by far
As the world increases in divergence

Zion, one day, will be praised on earth
Kings will come to gaze upon her glory
To hear songs of Christ, as too new arts give birth
Which depict the greatest events in history

Who's obsessed enough for this worthy goal?
To tell each story with love and pathos
Imagine these masterpieces in perfection
Bringing the gospel to life with passion...
Our own talent, obsessed with dynamism from a worthy goal, could put into such a story life and heartbeats and emotions and love and pathos, drama, suffering, fear, courage; and they could put into it the great leader, the mighty modern Moses who led a people farther than from Egypt to Jericho, who knew miracles as great as the stream from the rock at Horeb, manna in the desert, giant grapes, rain when needed, battles won against great odds.

-Spencer W. Kimball

They That Wait Upon the Lord

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength
They shall rise up, mounted with wings of eagles
They shall run and not be weary, walk and not be faint
To succor the weak and strengthen the feeble

Isa. 40: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up
with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.

D&C 81: 5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office
which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak,
lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen
the feeble knees.

Feasting on the Word of God

Come and receive the pleasing word of God
Come be steadfast as you hold to the rod
Come taste, touch, see, and hear as you feast
And partake of love that gives all peace

Jacob 3:2
O all ye that are pure in heart,
lift up your heads and receive
the pleasing word of God,
and feast upon his love;
for ye may, if your minds are firm,
forever.

Justification and Sanctification

Central to our Father's plan of salvation
Is justification and sanctification
The two serve as the essence of our witness
That we may live in God's presence through divine process

The infinite virtue of Christ atoning
Deepens the roots of laws foundation in all things
Though hard we try to achieve full righteousness
We're in need of His mercy and grace for happiness

The divine law governs all the universe
As we make choices cause and effect must rehearse
When we sin against laws of obedience
Our misery and punishment is the consequence

If we lacked actors to be acted upon
How could the heaven and earth a new day dawn?
Forces in randomness, chaos- we'd soon find
That without law there'd be no God, no earth or mankind

Just as laws apply to the earth and heaven
There are laws to which mankind has been given
Is there a way to escape condemnation?
The laws of justice can be answered by redemption

Who without sin can go before God and be tried?
And take our sins upon Him, till we're justified?
Through Jesus, there is remission of each sin
We are pardoned and placed, with conditions, unto Him

In Christ's name, we repent to become baptized
Through grace and the atonement, we are sanctified
Which means we become holy and without spot.
From grace which comes from God, as a gift which Christ bought

There's another help to keep these covenants close
It can speak unto our hearts, it's the Holy Ghost
So we'll stay justified and sanctified within
One removes the punishment, and one removes the sin

D. Todd Christofferson
Justification and Sanctification
Ensign, Jun 2001, 18

Widowed

Struggling again
I've been trying to find my way
Out of this for quite some time
It's like he's spun a web around me
And I'm trapped
I almost long for the Spider
The weaver of this web
To come for me...
Seems like one hundred years
Of solitude
But, I know that when he comes
Hard as I may try...
I'll look at him
Just mesmerized by how
He's trapped me
This free spirit
Frozen in place and hypnotized
I wait for him
Knowing he won't leave me
I am how he survives

For AWE (Adam Wayne Estep)


Demara Nicole Miller Estep Wright

Poems based on President Benson's talks

Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is the instrument
Designed by God to sweep all of the earth.
With a flood to gather out His elect
This sacred volume moves the gospel work

We need to daily read from these scriptures
It should be central in all that we preach
And not just when it rotates every four years
To learn of Jesus of whom it does teach

This Book will help man get nearer to God
If we'd learn and abide by its precepts
We testify as we hold to the rod
Never doubting a far reaching effect

The Book of Mormon is the mind of God
Here He voices to all men of His will
We must arouse men's interest and awe
It answers questions with a voice that's still

May we display it at home and at work
And display its quotes and scenes on our walls
As we hold to the rod, let no man shirk
To witness, every member has been called

I have a vision of homes alerted
Of classes alive and pulpits aflame
As the characters are richly painted
So too artists will depict the themes named

I have a vision of missionaries
Who take many passages they've memorized
Into a world that desperately needs it
As God lifts what condemnation's denied



Take Time to Meditate

Take time to meditate
As did the Joseph boy
For who knows what does await
To help you there in rejoice

Meditate a passage
From the holy writ
Ponder its true message
And apply your own self to it

Let the solemnities of heaven
Rest upon your mind
There to lift and leaven
Unto peace of heart and mind

Take time to be immersed
With words filled with the Spirit
Then through kind words rehearsed
May others through you hear it

For, if in all of your thoughts
The Light of Christ comes up first
You’ll end up at the top
Assured with peace through the worst

Study much out in your mind
Then in prayer ask to learn
And if in fact it be right
Your bosom within will burn (D&C 9:8)

Too, we should constantly strive
To have the Holy Ghost
As it’s our companion through life
That we are taught the most

Keep your hearts open for conviction
That unto the worthy does reach
Through our thoughts, feelings, or diction
The Holy Ghost dwells to teach

Lastly, this Latter-Day work is spiritual
For the Lord is within whispering distance
And through service for Him that’s habitual
We’ll feel immersed in love that’s intense

President Ezra Taft Benson
Seek the Spirit of the Lord
Ensign, April 1988, 2



The Greatest Gift of Value


The greatest gift of value
For mankind here today
Is the Book of Mormon
The keystone of our faith

Prepared by the Lord's hand
O'er a period of many years
In fact more than a thousand
To testify so clear

In our day, the Lord's borne witness
That the words there in are true
That it contains the gospel fullness
Telling what great faith in Christ can do

It laid the sure foundation
For the restoration of all things
And as our path of inspiration
It's a gift with solemn warnings

For once received unto righteousness
A journey of faith begins to crown
That when we trifle with and think it less
Our spirit darkens on its way down

The word testament means covenant
Thus we've the old and the new
But, we've another covenant
We've the Book of Mormon too

The early Saints were rebuked
For treating this great book lightly
It should be a lifetime pursuit
As a keystone holds things highly

This central stone of our religion
Like an arch would crumble without
It lies there to keep us safe from sin
That unto good works, we're about

It's testimony is undiluted-
Of the divinity of our Savior
And its power can't be disputed
As its promised witness is prayed for

It teaches in plain language
As it was written for our inspection
And the warnings keep us on edge
From those who fell to destruction

It provides a complete explanation
Of what the Atonement means
And of doctrines required for salvation
Indeed it's the book of our dreams

Unmistakably, it points to Christ
As they knew of His miraculous birth
And they awaited signs in the sky
That would tell them He was on the earth

And as all things seem to parallel
Moroni saw what's similar with our day
This gave him hope through his peril
For he could, at least, warn us of what's coming our way

The evils of secret combinations
The path of persecution and apostasy
The downfall of pride upon the nation
All this, he saw, in graphic and chilling reality

Through the book we learn how to live in times of war
And that wickedness never is happiness
We find words that give us power and comfort
For its a marvelous work and a wonder that does witness

A man can get nearer to God by its precepts
As with it we've Him more in our daily walk
For we're blessed constantly with His presence
As through prayer and the book we can talk

As we read a power does flow
To help us resist temptation
And of how to repent we'll know
As it assists our education

....lastly, it lifts us from condemnation

Hunger and thirst for each truth
And prayerfully put them to test
Help teach and expound to our youth
And hold to the rod for the best!

The First Presidency Message
The Keystone of our Religion

Band of Brothers

In the fires of shared experience
Come some of the closest friendships
They form bonds based on love and trust
Where otherwise emotions crush
From a shared grief or happiness
Comes an amplified tenderness
When we struggle, we must gather
To share what really does matter

To preach the gospel, To change lives
To leave home's comforts, To baptize
To serve God and build His kingdom
And humbly seek out for wisdom
United by a common goal
To usher in another soul
As we link our arms together
We soon journey towards forever

Never forget the value of
A great cause and of selfless love
Captain Moroni rent his coat
And to his countrymen, he wrote
In memory of our religion,
Freedom, peace, wives and our children
Once united, he could lead them
To transcend their lives to his vision

Threatened by familiar neighbors
The two- thousand stripling warriors
Were needed to fight in the war
They prepared for what was in store
With armory, swords, and knives
They trusted God would save their lives
And they knew why they too must fight
To help their fathers keep their plight

They learned of faith from their mothers
That fear's a thick fog which smothers
When we are loyal and faithful
The impossible is possible
Each night may we write down a few goals
For each labor and varied roles
So each day we'll learn, as we grow
Keeping bonds, for Christ our hero

Elder wirthlin

Fish Out of Water

As I walked upon campus
for a whole new year
there stood before me
a sight so queer
Twas a fish out of water
I was standing near
And when I asked the fish
Why it was here
The fish responded
It's my freshman year

The Son-in Law
Renny Wright

The Savior's Life Exemplified

strong>The Savior's life exemplified
Purity in labor with sins denied
Sole of purpose and pure of heart
He was slain, though perfect from the start

Now, in the last dispensation
Personally, He came with revelation
From His hands we've the holy priesthood
And His temple...where love is understood

The early saints laid out our trail
Though hard labor and pain it entailed
They consecrated all they gave
Their path blazed with faith and graves

The Lord's temples, they pioneered
Though hated and feared by mobs who neared
Laboring without shirt or shoes
Only the best craftsmanship was used

Midst hardships and sacrifice
They built up Zion at a high price!
Day and night, the temples filled
Then the mobs defiled it as work was stilled

Each temple is an inspiration
A measure our sanctification
Here we build up God's kingdom
Receiving His light and wisdom

Each new temple vindicates
The martyrdom of early saints
There in is triumph for each slain life
For tar and feathers, beatings and strife

In vision there are endless hosts
Receiving what is needed the most
We see unnumbered families kneeling
And surrounding alters, for precious sealings

In vision, we see countless
Returning to temples there to bless
We see an army of youth
Performing, as living for the dead, too

Though life physically separates
In the temple's holiness, Christ awaits
He is there in the hallowed halls
And for each man, live or dead, ever... He calls

Great things for us are in store
May we prove faithful for evermore
May we help those who have wavered
Proving Chris's love is highly favored

thoughts from\
James E. Faust, “Eternity Lies before Us,” Ensign, May 1997, 18

Maintaining our spiritual strength is … a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes … from our temples.



Our Lord, may we emulate
Doing the things that we should
Ever forgiving those who hate
Loving others as He would

Seek Learning by Faith

As we look forward and anticipate
An ever confused and turbulent time
It becomes essential to seek learning by faith
Where there is spiritual strength and protection in life
And direction in the knowledge that we obtain

Learning by faith opens the pathway into the heart
Hoping for things which are not seen but are true
All that the teacher's spiritually prepared to impart
To demonstrate, persuade and testify anew
Through the Holy Ghost, if we would but do our part

Faith in action enables us to press forward
Assured that we've found the correct understanding
Though we're uncertain and where we are going is hard
We step into darkness from the light where we're standing
Soon, we've new evidence of faith and coil upward

In God's grand division of all His creations
They're things to act and things to be acted upon
We have been blessed with the power to be agents
The Lord safeguards us from Lucifer's rebellion
And we learn to be more morally obedient

When we're receptive our learning is not passive
We become actors and doers of the word
Our pondering invites learning in the process
The Holy Ghost whispers truth of what is heard
And faith opens the hearts pathway for a witness

In Joseph's time ministers told him what to do
In the midst of this war of word and tumult of thought
He went to a grove to pray so he could act on truth
He sought learning by faith, he wanted to be taught
Through faith, the Word of God, spoke to him in his youth

To answer a deep question, no matter what it is
The Holy Ghost is a teacher from the Father
As a member of the Godhead it witnesses
As it enters into the heart of the learner
As a sacred Gift, to the faithful, it blesses

In 2005, we were invited to grow
To read the Book of Mormon, in a matter of months
To act and not be acted upon, while here below
The world is trouble, what is it one really wants?
The faith to step in the dark, and trust where to go

-Elder Bednar

Little Things are the Big Things

To bring up a child in light
Requires heavenly insight
It requires instilling truth
To those while still in their youth
It requires we show them their worth
How they've been cherished since their birth
With care and with dedication
We show forth selfless consecration

Little things are the big things
They make us feel like we're kings
Like a Thousand threads of love
That's rich in colors from above
It forms a warm tapestry
That's passed down from ancestry
As a treasured legacy
Of one who showed tenacity

Jesus added silken thread
When He fed all fish and bread
Jesus added golden strings
Every time He did small things
His concerns were specific
All He did was terrific
With threads of faith, love and work
He sacrificed, He did not shirk

The beauty of Diety
Has been placed for all to see
If we search in the scriptures
We'll find the painted pictures
Jesus along the seashore
Cooking breakfast, a small chore...
He would that we feed his sheep
And help God's children covenants keep


-President Faust

Who Shall Ascend Into the Hills of the Lord

Who shall ascend into the hills of the Lord
And stand in the beauty of His holy place?
From tithes and offerings, it's been richly splendored
Here there is peace and comfort and a new pace
Here we'll prepare for the day we'll see the Lord's face

To learn obedience, how to sacrifice
Consecrate our lives and of chastity vow
While dressed, as the newly fallen snow, in white
The purified families are sealed as they bow
Here in the Lord's temple, priesthood blessings endow

-President Faust

“Who Shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord?” - Ensign Aug ...

https://www.lds.org/.../w...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints

By President James E. Faust ... As the Saints come into the sacrosanct washing and anointing rooms and are washed, they ... “Who shall stand in his holy place?

Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes

Because we have them before our eyes
We'll learn to hear His voice in the word
A written recording for our time
Is felt in our heart. Where it is heard
For new impressions, to brighten our mind

It takes a life time to come unto Christ
For all that we learn, know and do
Is developed and deepened in kind
As we press forward and learn all anew
For each can feast on the truths there to find

To those who'll hear, He calls "follow me"
As His door is opened unto us
Imagine the things then we will see
Reverent reflecting, one cannot rush
when we record our thoughts, more there will be!

-Elder Bednar

Give Heed Unto the Voice of the Lord

Give heed unto the voice of the Lord
Which the spirit requires for light
It is more powerful than the sword
To help people choose more of what's right
Till what's capturing them, now is abhorred.

As the words heal the wounded soul
We wax strong in knowledge of truth
And learn of the things which should be our role
As we learn of Christ and study things through
For Christ-like virtues, to use and extol

In a time of spiritual apathy
There are diseases that wait to attack
We are in need of His word's and healing
When we're left on our own, the strength we lack
With Christ we've a change of heart that's feeling!

-Elder Perry

Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is the instrument
Designed by God to sweep all of the earth.
With a flood to gather out His elect
This sacred volume moves His gospel work

We need to daily read from these scriptures
It should be central in all that we preach
And not just when it rotates every four years
To learn of Jesus of whom it does teach

This Book will help man get nearer to God
If we'd learn and abide by its precepts
We testify as we hold to the rod
Never doubting a far reaching effect

The Book of Mormon is the mind of God
Here He voices to all men of His will
We must arouse men's interest and awe
It answers questions with a voice that's still

May we display it at home and at work
And display its quotes and scenes on our walls
As we hold to the rod, let no man shirk
To witness, every member has been called

I have a vision of homes alerted
Of classes alive and pulpits aflame
As the characters are richly painted
So too artists will depict the themes named

I have a vision of missionaries
Who take many passages they've memorized
Into a world that desperately needs it
As God lifts what condemnation's denied

-Ezra Taft Benson

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Atonement was won by the Living Son of God
Here stands the foundation upon which all Christianity rests
Upon which every law, principle, and virtue of the gospel draws
As God's plan pivots from the significance of this sole event

Foreordained, the Atonement was the voluntary act
Christ submitted to spiritual anguish and death for our ransom
Now as the Savior of the repentant, He mediates for us, in fact
And He prepares a place for us in Heaven- a mansion

Our Lord continually offers the atonement in our behalf
He stands willing to impart to make salvation a reality
Counting those who have died young*, He has already saved half!
For the reception of redemption there is no neutrality
 
The resurrection is free, each to rise from the grave
Each to be taught the plan, His narrow path to take
Our souls will live on and He is mighty to save
And, thus we grow from the good choices that we make
 
Thus, there will be degrees of acceptance
Some to suffer anguish just as the Savior did
Horrifically great unto complete repentance
To know true sorrow from the sins that they hid

Some will prefer to live a lower law
Where their natural habits can remain 
They will be denied the presence of God
But will be content with nothing to gain

Who has ears to hear and a broken heart to feel?
Who has eyes that long for God and eternity?
Who has a contrite spirit that Christ can heal?
These will be who finds He loves us infinitely!


Elder Holland
The Atonement of Jesus Christ
Ensign, Mar 2008, 32

* We believe children under the age of eight have not come to the age of accountability.

Here is a wonderful book I am reading about the atonement:http://ldspoetrybykellymiller.blogspot.com/p/the-infinite-atonement-by-tad-callister.html

The Infinite Atonement by Tad Callister

Imagine yourself at a spot

Beautiful where ever you gaze

From each new angle your breath is caught

The atonement is like that, always!

The Infinite Atonement

In every extremity

Jesus Christ is there

Demonstrating charity

Offering His care

Every finite frailty

That ever was known to man

The Lord has the ability

To atone for us, He can!

Reflections

Reflecting on the Savior

Kindles a fire of faith

It warms each heart to labor

With His light before one's face

We become most like

Those whom we admire

Living in Christ's light

Truly does inspire

Revelation

The divine invitation

To inquire of the Lord

Oft triggers revelation

For truth has been restored

Knowledge upon knowledge

We apply and learn more

Like a peaceable bridge

Rising between us and the Lord

He Surpasses All

Who is the grandest man

You have ever known?

Jesus surpasses that

With power to Atone

More still He is our light

And warms our souls for worth

He is the Way, the Bread of Life

As in Him we find rebirth

The Savior Stands Alone

For now and throughout eternity

In reverential tones

We experience in solemnity

The atonement stands alone

A solitary act

Offers us new life

In death, we are not trapped!

We have Jesus Christ!

His Atonement Stands Alone

The atonement stands alone

Bringing to man life's extension

To return to our heavenly home

Greater than any invention

Perfect Your Powers of Reason

Perfect your powers of reason

Discover the how's and why's

Explore our times and seasons

And God's mysteries, sublime

In ever small ways we can measure

And mirror the life of the Lord

To more fully feel light to treasure

As we learn from His two edged sword

The doctrines of the atonement

Must be felt and internalized

To find in the most trying times

A close kinship with Jesus Christ

The Essence of Freedom

The essence of freedom

Is to know Jesus Christ

To journey in wisdom

Holding to truth and light

A River of Love

At the gospel root

Is one profound truth

The atoning blood

Is a river of love

God's Life Blood

God's life blood, at the root

Flows out to branch forth

And produce precious fruit

Purely from the Lord

The Compelling Reason

The compelling reason, alone

That the Lord came to this earth

Was to be the lamb and atone

That we might rise unto worth

He was to condescend

From God and perfection

To be our Savior and

Experience rejection

May the Lord Raise You Up High

May the good Lord raise you up high

Like an eagle, to soar the sky

And cause each weakness to become strong

That you may know to whom you belong

May you be as Enoch once slow of speech

Who was given utterance that he could teach

The people trembled much from his words, said

The earth, too, trembled and the mountains fled!

Who is Jesus Christ?

The Father asked
Whom shall I send?
Who'll follow my plan
To the very end?

One spoke freely
I, Thy First Son
Here am I, send me
And Thy will be done.

Ever in protest
With his own plan
Another took to test
Till one third was banned...

Before us epochs
Behind us aeons
Creation in check
And a world soon spawns

A place for man
The earth was formed
By Jehovah's hand
T'was dressed and adorned

In His own image
First man was made
As Jehovah pledged
God's glory displayed

Adam and Eve
In the Garden
Through agency
Fell from Eden

Thus, since Satan
Had tempted Eve
Adam, determined
To know and grieve

Both, free to choose
And seek repentance...
Still comes life's bruise
Deep with consequence

Where's mankind's place?
In our Father's plan?
Jesus would show grace
And save earth and man

The Bread of Life
The Messiah
The Alpha of Light
The Omega

Would come to earth
Born of Mary
Through humble birth
Sins load to carry

For all man's guilt
And sorrow too
Drops of blood were spilled
Borne for me and you

Evil piled
Too, mortal pain
Us, He reconciled
He forsook hell's claim

He bore taunting
And took abuse
He suffered scourging
With pain too profuse

He the world's Light
With His legions
Layed down His own life
To take it again

With the ransom paid
The whole earth reeled
In the tomb He lay
Was the law fulfilled?

Twas He who died
For all our sins
He hated and tried
Would He ascend?

On the third day
He was risen!
And mankind was saved
To live without end

I kneel and find
Words of gratitude
Agency is mine
And...this I choose to do

President Packer
“Who Is Jesus Christ?,”
Ensign, Mar 2008, 12–19

In the Garden of Gethsemane

I had a dream, I was in Gethsemane
And soon to witness the Lord in agony
I stood behind a tree in the foreground nearby
As He came through a wicket gate close at my right.
He asked Peter, James and John to pray
Then passed to the other side away
He knelt and prayed that the cup would pass from Him
Nevertheless, He would do all what was grim.

Why did He suffer? Why did He plead His case?
As He prayed great tears streamed down His face.
I was so moved at the sight, I wept also
Out of pure compassion for His great sorrow.
My whole heart went out to Him. What love I felt!
I longed for Him as I longed for nothing else.
Then He arose and found the Apostles asleep.
He gently shook them and asked them to watch keep.

He returned to His place and He prayed again.
Then to the Apostles- and He awoke them
To admonish...And then He prayed as before.
Three times this happened- I knew His face and form.
He of noble stature and majestic mien.
He was lowly as a child, Our Lord was meek.
And, I was familiar with His appearance.
Then, all at once, I saw a new circumstance...

The scenery changed, Jesus was to my left.
He soon to ascend, I grabbed His knees and begged.
He stooped and raised me up so we could embrace.
His bosom was warm, I gazed unto His face.
He said, "The Apostles work was done for them.
You must stay and finish yours." I clung to Him.
"Promise me, that I will come to you," I tried.
He smiled sweetly and tenderly, and replied-
"That will depend entirely upon yourself."
I awoke, a sob was in my throat- and, I was all by myself.


March Ensign, 2008 Elder Holland,
The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Faith

Faith is the substance of things hoped for
The evidence of things unseen
While abounding towards forevermore
Steadfast with hope that's bright and clean

Faith at the foundation is personal
There Christ can dwell inside the heart
It is the Gospel's first principle
Where roots are grounded for their start

We come in unity of our faith
To grow in knowledge of God's Son
Here we come to talk of Christ and pray
That our hearts may combine as one

With faith, we're made alive in Christ
No longer to be drowning and tossed about
May our voices ring out to God on high
With new faith that heals all doubt


Russell M. Nelson,
“Faith in Jesus Christ,”
Liahona, Mar 2008, 24–30

Heb. 11: 1
1 Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Eph. 3: 17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts
by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love,

Eph. 4: 11
13 Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive;

2 Nephi 25
25 For, for this end was the law given;
wherefore the law hath become dead unto us,
and we are made alive in Christ because of
our faith; yet we keep the law because of
the commandments.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in
Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of
Christ, and we write according to our prophecies,
that our children may know to what source
they may look for a remission of their sins.

2 Ne. 31
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness
of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting
upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,
behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have
eternal life.

Who Will Know and Hear the Voice of the Lord?

Those who know and hear the voice of the Lord.
Have retained His name within a changed heart.
Those who've sought Him, and for Him have labored,
Abound in good works, steadfast in their part!

Mosiah 5
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye
have made ye shall be called the children of
Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold,
this day he hath spiritually begotten you;
for ye say that your hearts are changed through
faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him
and have become his dsons and his daughters.
12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember
to retain the name written always in your hearts,
that ye are not found on the left hand of God,
but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye
shall be called, and also, the name by which he
shall call you.
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast
and immovable, always abounding in good works,
that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal
you his, that you may be brought to heaven,
that ye may have everlasting salvation and
eternal life, through the wisdom, and power,
and justice, and mercy of him who created all
things, in heaven and in earth,
who is God above all. Amen.

The More I Create Words on a Page

The more I create words on a page
The more I realize the cries of Christ
He gave of Himself to every new age
With words bought, perfectly, at a high price!

Framed with desire to share of His truths
I wish I could testify with power
For so oft...for my heart to Him moves!
And I recognize blessings from Him shower

The more I create words on a page
The more I wish that someone would read...
I don't care what so ever their age
I labored so hard, from one thought's seed!

I am so blessed to live in a nation
With freedom to practice faith as one moves
Yet...many know Easter as just a vacation
Not knowing to search... and find of His truths!

Faith in Jesus Christ

The genesis of a human body
Begins with the union of just two cells
Twenty- three chromosomes from each unite
What this child will look like, this cell foretells.

Twenty- two days later, heart beats are heard.
In four more days blood's in circulation.
As cells multiply and divide away,
Into an amazing creation.

From electricity, the heart works hard.
Delicate valves open and close in pace.
Soon form the eyes to see and ears to hear,
As the nerves and muscles grow in their place.

The body is made with back-up systems
Tools for resistance are generated.
The bones can mend, skin can heal, and leaks can seal.
As fixed temperatures are regulated.

Unto every kingdom is given a law.
And every law has bounds and conditions.
This scientists can measure and define,
Laws apply to all of God's creations.

The phase of the moon, the stars in the sky-
Their courses are fixed to heaven and earth.
Such order bears witness of majesty.
In seven days, God formed law and all birth.

The scriptures declare of our beginning.
Each man's been organized in God's image.
The male and female, created He them,
For us laws were formed, to the very edge.

Dynamic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ
Lends to our minds a new way of thinking.
Works form a conversion and change of heart,
Dawned from His Living wells we're drinking.

We're made alive in Christ, because of faith
And of Him we're spiritually begotten.
There's strength to press forward with steadfastness,
Feeling the love of God unto all men.

With the Book of Mormon and the Bible,
We've scriptures in each hand and we promise.
With full purpose of heart, we preach of Christ.
Showing through works and faith we are His.

I testify that Jesus is the Christ,
The Son of the Living Father
Our Savior, Lord and Advocate.
Exemplar and King, whom we honor.

-Russell M. Nelson, “Faith in Jesus Christ,”
Liahona, Mar 2008, 24–30

The Beggar

When a beggar puts up his petition
We've a stewardship over that plea.
We'll not send him out to perish when we've fruition
But, impart of our substance till there's no more need.

Are we not beggars for all that we have?
Our gold and silver, food and raiment?
Is not our God willing to share from all that He hath?
If we're selfish, we may perish... we must repent...
On the Lord, we depend, for the good on our path

Mosiah 4
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that
stand in need of your succor; ye will administer
of your substance unto him that standeth in need;
and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth
up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out
to perish.

19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not
all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all
the substance which we have, for both food and
raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for
all the riches which we have of every kind?

But, If Not...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego
Knew they could always rely on God.
Even if things weren't as they'd hoped-
Would their faith now endure a burning pod?

King Nebuchadnezzar gave command-
All must worship a golden image.
The three would not heed this demand.
They'd faith, they'd stay safe inside the furnace.

Faith is believing in God's power
Even when we do not understand.
When we've faith, blessings soon shower
And we see the Lord's gospel work at hand.

Mortality is part of God's plan.
And we've been given our agency
To prove no more than we can withstand
For, He knows our strengths and ability.

Great men are made, From great challenges,
As we show faith, the Lord strengthens us.
And we overcome our weaknesses.
Thus, we gain experience and trust.

Let's recount great acts of the prophets.
First, they extend their faith in prayer.
Next, they serve for mankind's profit
That we can find Christ and trust He is there.

By faith Moses saved men from Egypt.
God showed His power... Was this their sole test?
Living God's laws- shows how faith is kept!
Then we are blessed. But, if not... God knows best.

We choose where we'll best follow and stand.
On the rock, to act for righteous sake?
Then when we're tempted by shifting sands
After all we can do, we are saved.
If not now, then in the eternal days.

But, if Not
Dennis Simmons
Ensign, May 2004,73

The Final Scene

The director rehearses and recounts
According to the scripts accounts
And prepares the cast for the great day
When there will be no more help along the way

Each must know the name by which they're called
And recognize the voice that heralds
For those who're chosen must pass the test
And correct all their mistakes to be their best

Those who have the strongest lines and parts
Use all the energy of their hearts
Their feelings move those from all around
At those moments, not a person makes a sound

The greatest script of all times and places
Will one day be known by all the races
It's not fiction it's the actual.
And when the curtain calls- the play will be final!

A Shaft and a Stone

A smooth and polished shaft,
In the quiver of Almighty,
Follows a well marked path-
Of brave courage, full and mighty!

A smooth and polished stone,
On its predestined course,
Loses rough corners as it's thrown-
With an accelerating force!

Ever the gospel does rolls forth,
The Lord's army is taking its place;
Unto the East, West, South, and North-
Till all nations are taught of His grace.

Let me be a shaft.
Let me be a stone.
Given words to draft,
To my ears swiftly flown.

Then quite polished, let me hold on
And speedily share the words;
Bounding forth head long,
With my mouth like a sharp sword!

Isaiah 49: 2, 1 Nephi 21: 2

2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and
made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he
hid me;

To My Little Leprechaun

To My little leprechaun,
Who is six foot five.
You're a giant among men
And, I'm glad that you're mine.
(Know that my heart you did win.)

You have made my life complete.
Thank you for that first date.
I'm so glad that we did meet.
May your birthday be great!
(And thanks for calling me sweet.)

I Invite You To Come Unto Christ

I invite you to come unto Christ,
Though mere words cannot suffice.
May I, of His life expound?
That He, in your heart may be found?

During Our Lord's ministry,
Precious few came to know Him,
Though all He did made history.
Though He offered pure love to them.

He's our bright miracle
And our plan for happiness.
His arms extend to encircle,
With joy and love. He's Holiness.

There is no other name that saves.
He gives assurance to us.
There's no better path than he paves.
He teaches of faith, hope and trust.

It warms my heart to speak of Him
And of all He's done for me.
Through times of sorrow and of sin,
His love's been there enveloping.

His life's example paves the way.
I will strive to be like Him.
I'll keep my covenants and obey
What I promised at baptism.

May you find faith to do His will,
As the Spirit manifests.
Know that His promise does fulfill.
May you feel joy within your breast.

-President Eyring

Our Dear Father, We Cry Aloud

Our Dear Father, We cry aloud,
As though we have one voice.
Please forgive us our carnal state.
To speak Christ's name, we rejoice.

Oh have mercy and apply the
Atoning blood of Christ.
Help us to be more repentant,
With our hearts more purified.

May we be filled with Thy spirit,
For remission of our sins.
May Thy mercy shine upon us.
May Thy grace forgive and cleanse.

May I Speak With a New Tongue

May I speak with a new tongue?
As one who's been baptized,
And received the Holy Ghost
Which guides with words of Christ.

May I speak as though an angel?
Softly... with the Holy Ghost.
Which utters what I should do
To perform and receive the most.

May I reach out unto you,
With thoughts which I treasure?
For, from the spirit they then grew
To testify and assure...

Then.. may you listen
To the plainness of the Word
Given of Him now risen
Awaiting to be heard

There to grow and not be faint
Performing in the name of Christ
As through prayer you consecrate
Continually day and night

click on title to read 2 Nephi 32

To Be Humble and Submit

To be humble and submit
To all the Lord does inflict
We must be loving as a child,
Full of patience, and most mild

We believe salvation comes
When as a child we become
We must put off the natural man
To do all that the Lord commands

Unto God, Jesus did submit
With suffering that was perfect
The laws of justice were fulfilled
As the Lord's holy blood was spilled

The wicked drink of damnation
And are denied of salvation
In fire and brimstone's endless bath.
They drink from the cup of wrath

Physical Death, Spiritual Death

Physical death
Spiritual death
Our separation
From God, banishment

An atonement
A crucifixion
How grave the price
To bear affliction

Resurrection
Then ascension
Jesus the Christ
In exaltation

Happy Easter
To all of mankind
Gone banishment
No longer confined

We each must choose
We've agency
And consequences
For eternity

Quiet Stirrings of the Heart

We've quiet stirrings,
Deep inside our heart.
When we see cunnings
That a friend imparts.

A victim of crime
Soon takes his last breath.
Unknown at the time,
A friend caused his death.

The perpetrators
Were once good in youth.
Then, to self- traitors,
They became uncouth.

A single event
Stirs deep-set questions-
What can we prevent?
Where's our directions?

A trial disjoints
For life is precious,
Filled with turning points.
And much is tenuous.

With all this abreast
We know God is just.
And, thus we can rest
With faith and with trust.

When quiet stirrings
Turn us to action.
Pray no occurings
Bring us distraction.

As we commit to
An experience,
We must submit too.
Turned to our faith, hence.

We Look to the Apostles

We look to the Apostles,
For a witness of Christ.
Then we stand as disciples
And we too testify.
At all times, things and places,
We show our commitment.
And faith shines on our faces
With love and contentment.

Today, what is sufficient?
What can we rejoice in?
Though we've disappointment
and trials of death and sin?
We know what source to look to,
For our eternal rest.
As we testify anew,
Warmth grows within our breast.

Now, as we anticipate
The coming of our Lord.
We can prepare for that date.
With words angels record
All testimonies- they hear!
And, too, rejoice o'er us.
What we hold in us is dear.
There's light in our witness.

But, what of those who've died?
And, not made ordinance?
What to them can be applied?
Who've not received a chance?
We have a holy temple
Where their work we can do.
There, we set an example,
Our light is for them too!

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/testimonies-of-him/articles/becoming-a-witness-of-christ

An Angel of God Spoke to a King

An angel of God spoke to a King.
Declaring great joy and glad tidings.
For on a day not too far distant.
The Lord as a child would make His descent.
Tabernacled in clay, He shall serve.
All manner of diseases, His to cure.
And evil spirits, will be cast out-
Though He'll be falsely accused, by those in doubt.


Even more than man can suffer,
He'll know temptations, thirst and hunger.
And bear anguish pressed through every pore.
As He feels all the weight of what we need Him for.
That salvation might come unto men
Through the remission of all their sins.
Through faith and repentance on His name.
We can be atoned for and found without blame.