The Rescue of Alma the Younger

Alma the Younger did more than waste away his youth.
An angel helped him to face this long avoided truth
He had made life hard for members of the church...
But, now rebuked, the guilt felt began to churn

With anguish of soul, none would want to know of
For three bitter days he lay in death's deep coma
Confronting every sin was extremely hard to bear
This was truly an answer to his father's constant prayer

Then as one rescued from the darkest abyss
Alma was awakened to a life of promise
Becoming an example of change, light, and hope-
(One does not have to stay alone, in the dark, to grope)

As to Christ, Alma repented and cried deeply in his heart
He found mercy and deliverance – and a new path to start
Spending the remainder of his many blessed days
Preaching and teaching others how to change their ways


Thank you Phil- author of:
Clean Hands, Pure Heart:
Overcoming Addiction to Pornography
Through the Redeeming Power of Jesus Christ

In this Book, author, Philip A. Harrison relates
his journey out of addiction to pornography into
recovery and freedom. He explains: "like Paul and
Alma the Younger, who also spent a portion of their life
in serious darkness and were delivered from it by
Christ Himself, I am willing to allow my life to be an
example of someone the Lord has rescued from
'the darkest abyss.'"
Using the scriptures and teachings of Church Leaders,
Phil leads us through the process of coming unto Christ
and having our burdens lifted. For those who have
struggled with sexual addiction or any other
overwhelming challenge , as well as for those who
care about them, this book offers welcome help,
guidance and hope.
http://www.byubookstore.com
http://www.ldsmag.com/articles/050520recovery.html
How can I find out more about the LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program?
You can now check online for
recovery meetings near you and for additional support information at
www.lds.org which will take you to the Church home page.
Then click in order:
1. Provident living
2. Social and emotional strength
3. Addiction recovery support

You then select your area; the schedule of locations and times will come up.
The phone number to call for more information at Family Services is
1-800-453-3860 ext. 2-3646.

The Doorway of Love

Sins never tire
They ever cross the wires
Shades of Sodom...
The dregs at the bottom
Has Pandora
Yet glimpsed at Gomorrah?
Our wicked world
Screams loud and insults hurl
Each sordid fact
Exposes evil stacked
They've Light so dim
From all their sins within

Must we suffer
The twin cities' fate here
Where ill is bred
Without balm in Gilead?
Are there lovers
Of God or of pleasures?
From old Noah
Were great lessons not taught?
This time it's sin
That the world's flooded in
And what does reign?
Unholiness and pain

Where's the doorway?
Hurry, find it I pray
Where the Lord stands
Waiting with knocking hands
Written above
Reads: The Doorway of Love
It's on high ground
That our dear Savior's found
And as you near
There's echoes you can hear
"Open the door
You are, who I knock for "

Love causes change
As our lives rearrange
Love has its price
It requires we're nice
And God loves us
So He gave us Jesus
The great teacher
To love one another
He also taught
Of higher laws of thought
To understand
where love can best expand

Love's not like weeds
That spreads from wind and seeds
Love's not like rain
Dripping where e'er it came
Love can perish
When it is not cherished
So, we have Christ
Who has paid a high price
He loves each one
For us, His work was done
For each person
He bore sin's hard ransom

Little children
Can learn the Lord's lesson
"If you love me
Do as I'm commanding
As I love you
Now, love each other too"
Where's our haven?
Our safe place to live in?
It's where honor
And loving symbols are
Where contention
Has no place to station

God's found in love
As blessings from above
Where there's virtue
His love resides there, too
It's apparent
We've premortal parents
Heav'nly Father
And our Heav'nly Mother
And when love's gone
The sobbings of those wronged
Ascend up high
Against those who've shown pride

Our happiness
Hinges on righteousness
The path to joy
Comes to each girl and boy
With faithfulness
We'll press on t'wards fullness
Let there be peace
May it begin with me
A soft pillow
Helps those whose lives are low
This we'll not know
Unless our hearts do grow

Vagrants asleep
Are in need of watch keep
What can be done
In the name of the Son?
To those hungry
May our compassion be
A sparrow falls
The Savior hears its calls
He sees service
He knows concern's purpose
All love imparts
Catalysts for big hearts

Those who show care
Are often more aware
That violence
Does not cry of strength
Yet, compassion
Cries with Christ-like passion
What's of value?
Our last gifts of adieu?
This mom's locked box
T'would only hold small rocks
As she'd nothing
Why bother opening...

As though treasure
Photos of past pleasure
A young couple's
Sealing date ink bejeweled
And last inside
A child's note, "I love you"
Hearts were tender
Voices soft, eyes moister
Louis's note
A Valentines he'd wrote.
A locked box viewed
With a new attitude

We see Christ's love
Reflected in true love
At Christmas time
One finds people are kind
You can hear it
As you believe in it
You can see it
And anticipate it
You can feel it
As you grandly share it
It's yours to own
But, never just alone

Twas years ago
A class was troubled so
What could be done?
The solution, but one
The problem child
With love, must become mild
She confessed
She asked him, and was blessed
And now the boy
Became her greatest joy
And, aged, she still knew him
Through her gaze became blank and dim

In her nineties
She'd not eat... her fork teased
She knew no one
And not a word she spoke
When lunch ended
And... the words one-sided
He stood to leave
And you would not believe
He said "God Bless "
And she- "Why you're Thomas!"
She kissed his hand
Love... passed the aging sand

"How I love you,"
She said. There were tears, too-
On hands bestowed.
Now, those hands were hallowed
The air was cool
Outside the sky was blue
An azure blue
The snow was white
A crystal white
The words of the Master
Were felt deeper
"Woman, behold thy son!"
As she'd beheld this one

A wondrous gift
Graced by God was given
Heavenly blessings
Were there for receiving
At a doorway
Patiently, He'll await
Till... us He hears
And with love... Christ enters
Through a doorway
That's opened... with our faith
Through a doorway
Of love... where all is okay

This poem is best understood
if read after reading Monson's talk
Thomas S. Monson
The Doorway of Love
Ensign, Oct 1996, 2

Achievement- My Testimony

As you learn the gospel
Your testimony grows
As you live the gospel
May your pencil write what flows

Write of Heavenly Father
And of your love for Him
Write of our dear Savior
How He conquered all sin

What covenants have you made
What do they mean to you?
And, before your thoughts soon fade
Please write of How He loves you, too

We Can Know the Truth of All Things

We can know the truth of all things
As the Holy Ghost witnesses
It testifies with warm feelings
As it protects and it blesses

The wisest thing we'll ever know
Is that Heavenly Father is real
As we learn to obey and grow
A sure knowledge of God does seal

By the power of the Holy Ghost
We can know who our Savior is
As creator, He is our host
Inside us we've a Light Which is His

Those who've gained a testimony
Have learned how to recognize truth
It is not a cacophony
Nor do you have to wait for proof

All things denote there is a God
And all truths point towards Jesus
From the broad sky to the planted sod
Here we will learn, Earth is for us!

There are sources here that help us learn
We have books, teachers and parents
We can pray when our thoughts won't turn
We can practice faith and patience

In Moroni, we learn of precious gifts
That are sent from our Lord above
Each of us have at least one to uplift
To the faithful they abound with love

One, may teach wisdom of the word
From another, knowledge is heard
One, may have faith that exceeds all
Another, the gifts of healing
One, may work mighty miracles
Another, prophesies all things
One, can behold heavenly angels
Another, ministering spirits
One, may speak the various tongues
Another, may then interpret
With Christ-like love these gifts are hungWe need each other,yes, everyone!

Moroni 10:5
And by the power of the Holy Ghost
ye may know the truth of all things.

For The Strength of the Youth

All over the world parents are concerned
For the strength of the youth and what they have learned
To all the young men
and our young women
The First Presidency
has frankly spoken:

They love you, and have confidence in you
Of things that are right, they hope that you'll do
You are choice spirits reserved for this day
When you've temptations, you can always pray

A righteous life is full of happiness
Which can be lost with desires that areee foolish
You can live standards that will help your peers
You can reach out, and lift and help them to steer

There's burdens of guilt when you self- indulge
The father of lies will always divulge
He'll leave you fallen with a shattered life
We pray that you will avoid all this strife

Opportunities abound, there's no rest
As obligations are at their greatest
The Holy Ghost is the highest blessing
You'll have direction, there'll be less guessing

A constant and calming companionship
Can keep you from Satan's ever strong grip
You can keep your bodies and your minds clean
And walk tall through a spiritual guiding

If you are confused there's much you can do
As you believe all that the church has told you
You'll know that you been prepared for this earth
That you came to win, and you have great worth

And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Through the strengthening power of the atonement
An offense is over-ruled. We triumph
We can live together with at-one-ment
If we petition in prayer for guidance

Keeping covenants requires dedication
And, of the many who've left their covenants
They are in need of our inspiration
We need prayer to open walls of offense

Why have they not been participating
In the blessings and programs of the church?
Offtimes they're lifestyles are dissipating
And, grievances have turned them away hurt

These are some of the reasons some have cited:
Some felt excluded and without a friend.
Until some have moved or died
Some vow to not set foot in again

With commandments they struggled to live within
They avoided change and went another way
Do they remember the spirit given?
Do they remember what the scriptures say?

Where once they might have viewed us severely
We pray that they might feel of our concern
If we'd visit and ask them sincerely
Perhaps the spirit might help them return

One of the Lord's disciples has proclaimed
It is time to stop feeling offended
Each of us do things of which we're ashamed
It's time for the lost sheep to feel tended

All must act and not be acted upon
As free agents we can choose for our good
It is time to find the faith that we stand on
The Holy Ghost will witness how we should

Elder David A. Bednar
“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,”
Liahona, Nov 2006, 89–92

Family- What Matters the Most, Lasts the Longest

What matters the most, lasts the longest
And within the home, we are strongest
It should be strengthened and kept foremost
There is no question- love gives the most

When we've a conflict or crisis
There is a lot we must process
And we're reminded that families connect
As they are supportive, help, and protect

This is even more true after life
As a husband longs to see his wife
Where each spouse searches for mother,
Loved ones, siblings, and father

In the spirit world, there's no question
We'll need our families as we station
The prophet issued to all the world
A clarion call- stern in its word

As priorities shut the child out
Declined values confuse and doubt
Ahead of its time, and for our age
God's given counsel in simple page

As the notions of society
Contrast with all that they now should be
For the survival of the family
We must define the home so clearly

The solemn marriage- wife and husband
One woman, one man- with wedding band
Gender has purpose, that is premortal
It is essential and eternal

A husband and wife, God has ordained
And calamities arise when it's disdained
Couples now should live responsibly
With kept marriage vows of fidelity

Children should be reared or placed within
Honorable homes who've prayed for them
They are entitled to be cared for
As extended families lend their support

As though a banner of liberty
This proclamation waves perfectly
It's for everyone- we're meant to be
Raised in honored homes committedly

Parenting involves great sacrifice
When there's selfishness- who pays the price?
And if there's a change- a "tolerance"
Who is brunted with the consequence?

Our precious children... who are now confused
The family has changed- as pawns they are used
Our Heavenly Father provides us with vision
And proclaims to the world the home's mission:

The family is in need of scaffolding
Held up by daily prayers they are holding
And, weekly there should be one evening
Set aside for home and believing

Each member should feel they are cherished,
Known, and loved by their brother, Jesus
His message to all cannot be ignored or denied
"Love one another-For you I suffered. I died!"

We must now measure, we must fulfill
And live according to the Father's will
What matter's the most, lasts the longest
Believe this... With God and family we endure life's test
(For He's counseled families how to be their strongest)

Elder M. Russell Ballard
What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest
November 2005 Ensign

Congratulations Courtney you passed the
State Boards! And, I wrote this in the car, waiting,
while you took the test! 4/24/08

They Marked the Path to Follow

John the Baptist
There is one who marked the path
To rise up, no greater hath
With unfeigned humility
John went forth in his ministry
He alone was sent before
To preach along the river
He trusted and he baptized
And prepared the way for Christ
He modeled how to submit
Though he thought himself unfit
He deferred to who would come
To Jesus the perfect one

Abraham
Abraham modeled great faith

We must trust in God, in all we face

His teachings whisper to us still

As through him, we've much to fulfill

And through him our day is blessed
With Isaac, he'd passed the test
As he went to sacrifice
He thought it but a small price
He feared God enough to give
God was pleased, Isaac could live!
And, then came the pronouncement
He'd been found obedient

Ruth

An ideal of womanhood
Loyalty she understood
Naomi was struck with grief
She bid Ruth "Do not leave.
You are my daughter-in-law,
My sole source to live off of.
And, gone two sons, I've no relief "
Ruth obeyed for she too grieved
Though foreign she would tarry
Ruth was told whom to marry
And Christ came through her gene pool
As she lodged with God's people

Job

Job feared God, he was upright
His life seemed perfect and right
He always eschewed evil
Would he prove to trust God's will?
Gone fortune, prosperity
Scorned by friends, why would that be?
His family too quick to leave
He showed faith, he still believed
He modeled for us, patience
He'd not give in to grievance
He suffered and was alone
Gone was all, yet faith he'd own

Noah

His faith proved unwavering
He gathered beasts with bravery
A just man, he walked with God
Though most thought him rather odd
For they failed to heed his cries
"Repent now and save your lives"
Why should they? They mocked his ark
There's no rain, he'd told them a lark
God showed them, the rain did pour
Forty days, all was a shore
When God spoke, Noah obeyed
From his faith, our way was paved

Nephi
Now we turn to Mormon's book
Of Nephi, the pains he took
To obtain the sacred plates
Should they put their life to fate?
Should they buy King Laban's needs?
No, he took, with eyes of greed!
Nephi prayed he'd obtain the rod
With his trust full upon God
Determined and unflagging
He obeyed without nagging
His brothers must follow him
He was a man of vision

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was just fourteen
He saw God and Jesus sheen
He'd entered a grove of trees
Questioning what man believes
His vision, he'd not deny
Courageous though scorned for life
Ridiculed he still stood firm
And God's church, he did govern
Step by step, he taught and led
And from him, prophets were bred
In Carthage, he bravely faced
His blood spilled, with trust embraced

Gordon B. Hinckley

This prophet traversed frontiers
His love transcended barriers
He visited vast members
And met government leaders
To lift Saints, he had vision
A fund for education
Those who're doomed to poverty
Rise from mediocrity!
With a new conference center
And temples near, to enter
He modeled optimism
For world-wide church expansion

One Family's Faith

Years have passed for one family
A son never more to see
His mission car lost control
Which took to flames of petrol
With the mother dead eight years
The father should grieve passed tears
Another son was serving
Could his car, too, go swerving?
But, he'd not let his faith hang
He called the son, they sang
"I Am a Child of God" tuned
Lines together, a prayer bloomed

The Exemplar

May we choose to be guided
By the life He provided
He lived the perfect model
As He taught us the gospel
A higher law was a plus
So we'd receive reward's just
Some reacted, He the Word?
In the end, their cries were heard
"Crucify him," they did mock
And He died, our Living Rock.
Now, He beckons, "Follow me"
May we live thus, Him to see


Thomas S. Monson
Ensign, Oct. 2007
They Marked the Path to Follow

Achievement Mother's Day poems

Make a card and plan a great day for mom.

- a book mark poem

**click on the below label- mother's day to read more Mother's Day poems

Dearest mother, we would like to say
How much we love you, on this day
We have prepared to give you rest
For you deserve the very best

Read this book and recline
Take a nap...it is your time
We have planned each meal for you
And we will do the dishes too

Late in the day, we've planned more
We will watch the sunset and cook s'mores
Then go to bed at the time you say
How, we love you, Happy Mother's Day!

Poem making activity: Find hidden words in
Happy Mother's Day
a, pad, date, mate, mote, pay, may, as, to, has, they, the, dream, mat, pat, her, yap, pam, ram, am, yes, pope, tape, day, ray, other, mother, days, rays, say, stray, tray, pray, prom, steam, ream, tap, more, store, sore, stop, pop, top, hop, shop, hope, throat, heard, yeah, yah, hay, tear, rest, tappy, happy, dame, rate, hate, ape, mope, thermos, most, roast, stream, tapped, taped, star, part, heart, pest, mar, harp, tarp, road, toad, dopey, made, sad, had, mad, toads, roads, rope, rome, roam, troy, toy, tore, adore, meat, team, same, hat, dear, pear, ear, hear, shore
Then take some that rhyme, use for endings, and make a Poem:

Some of the girls have already written various poems

You can ask them to bring them and share for next time

In the Spring, the month of May
Comes a very special Day
For mother, of whom I'm a part
To honor her and her good heart

Her smile is like the sunshine rays
It is her love that warms my days,
She gives me strength and hope to dream,
And sends me buoyed upon life's stream

In the lovely month of May

We give thanks on Mother's day

It is the day we give her rest

And let her know she is the best!

acrostic poem

My
One true
Teacher of
How to serve
Even when
Really tired


Mother
Offers
The
Heavy burdened
Ease and
Rest

I

Love

You

Everyday

Let's

Play

Or

Hug!

(says I love you going down)

Same Gender Attraction

What drew me to him was the pain in his eyes
Though he was pleasant, he did not oft smile
Of his membership, he said, "I'm not worthy
I am attracted to men -I've strong feelings
Just why am I this way? With feelings so real?"
However, he'd not acted on how he'd feel
He would not violate the law of chastity
For he sought to keep his life in harmony

He spoke for a while we each were in relief
This man showed courage to live within beliefs
For he did not act upon what was in him
I assured him that attraction's not in sin
Whatever the cause of how he now does feel
It does not matter his worthiness was real
He's worthy to serve and enjoy fellowship
He still did belong and with his membership

I told him much more from spirit to spirit
And of every single word, he wanted to hear it
I told him thank you for wanting to be clean
That this attraction was not differently seen
Heterosexuals and homosexuals, too
Have the same requirements that they must do
I gave him assurance and he sat up straighter
Sex is a small part, On Christ we must center

With hope in his eyes, newly detected
Not feeling rejected, next steps were directed
With a recommend, he could simply endure
For during this life, there might not be a cure
God loves his children, we don't know all meanings
And what we now feel may not be as it's seemings
When we're unworthy, may we act to repent
Let's love each other, we're all so different

To you who struggle :

When we've fears we're quick to feel offended
Please recognize that to harm was not intended
We can do things to keep weeds from choking
And when we've faith, great blessings we're invoking
Like anyone else there's lessons in gardening
And things to do to keep soils from hardening
For spiritual nourishment there's things we must do
Like scripture reading, worship, fasting and prayer, too.

The Lord's aware of each current circumstance
Fight the good fight. We can take a stance
We can promote the law of chastity
Whatever our situations here might be
Dear Father, in regards to those who have this struggle
Help them overcome all the thoughts that juggle
We weep for them. We've admiration and respect
Of what we can do to show love, let us detect

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Helping Those Who Struggle With
Same Gender Attraction
Ensign, Oct 2007

The Coming Tests and Trials and Glory

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

To gain the 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
But, 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 abound
As the sick are healed and dead are raised
And the power of God, in song is praised

Amidst this toil and sorrowing test
From which we abide our covenants the best
God's elect were strengthened, schooled, and bred
While murderers tried 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

And as they lay all they have upon 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 this is when 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
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 then 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
There to 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 worshiping
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 visions 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

For, while Satan reigns in the hearts of men
He'll show his power with Gadiantons
They'll fill the judgment seats of all 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?
Amidst 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 lies what's dark, dreary, and dreadful
Upon each issue we must be increasingly careful
The blood of martyrs will poor again
As though doors of Carthage enclose us in


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
He hath wrought wondrous works to all

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
"The Coming Tests and Trials and Glory
Ensign 1980

Noah, A Just Man Who Walked With God

A just man who walked with God-
He oft called man to repent
But, they thought that he was odd
An arc no where to be sent ?
Then, down the big raindrops went

40 days and 40 nights
The upper atmosphere drained
And the earth was soon baptized
Though some question how long it rained
Belief in Noah has not wained

The flood- the dividing point
Seized longevity to flow
Had the firmaments joined
From what's above to what's below?
Now there's rainbows, that much we know

As the sunlight strikes the rain
A prism in each raindrop
Shows color, where it once was plain
In a bow that arcs at the top
And seven colors develop

As though a ladder to heav'n
Upon which heroes can climb
In Genesis the truth is giv'n
As a covenant to mankind
This bow's the token you will find

We all come from Noah's seed
As all others quickly drowned
They who still in God believed
Could have offspring righteous bound
To fill the earth with peace around


Gen. 1: 6-8, 14-15, 17, 20
6 ¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament
in the midst of the waters,
and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament,
and divided the waters which were
under the firmament from the waters
which were above the firmament:
and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven.
And the evening and the morning
were the second day.
• • •
14 ¶ And God said, Let there be lights
in the firmament of the heaven
to divide the day from the night;
and let them be for signs, and for seasons,
and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament
of the heaven to give light upon the earth:
and it was so.
• • •
17 And God set them in the firmament
of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
• • •
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth
abundantly the moving creature that hath life,
and fowl that may fly above the earth in the
open firmament of heaven.

Genesis 9
13 I do set my bow in the cloud,
and it shall be for a token of a
covenant between me and the earth.
14 And it shall come to pass,
when I bring a cloud over the earth,
that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant,
which is between me and you
and every living creature of all flesh;
and the waters shall no more become a
flood to destroy all flesh.
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud;
and I will look upon it, that I may remember
the everlasting covenant between God
and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

If I Could Pause

If I could pause and just be still
And rest without a thought
I'd close my eyes, the senses would thrill
To have won the fight I'd fought

For what I think, so I am
And that is what I'll do
I know this stops me before I can
But, with rest, I can start new

With a clear head, I'll meditate
My thoughts will not wonder
Then with gratitude, I'll not hesitate
To list my blessings and ponder

What's in my heart, I now must share
I'll express them to God
And after I speak to Him in prayer
I'll hear His voice in the rod

When I am still the spirits there
And my heart's been set free
Of purpose, I am more aware
And I am now the real me

For strength and for fortitude
My heart must feel deeply
When I've a refreshed attitude
All my stuck thoughts won't keep me...
From becoming all I'm meant to be


When I eat emotionally
I stuff my heart 'till hard
This adds commotion in me
And my true feelings I have barred

Jesus -Concern For the One

How oft did He find time for solitude?
When the needs of the lost were not done.
While surrounded by the multitudes
He always had concern for the one
We've been commissioned to do likewise.
May we see others through Christ-like eyes.

Today some are weary and have strayed
When we've ninety-nine who should we seek?
One who may be different? Or heavy lade?
Of the way they look, act, think and speak
Do they think that they're not befitting?
And from the flock find themselves slipping?

But, the Lord who has peopled the earth
Placed us as a vibrant orchestra
Each of us as fine instruments of worth
That adds to complex beauty and spectra.
In every single personality
Lies a depth rich with ability

The miscellanea of creation
Is a testament of self-esteem
We are like God in variation
Black and white, male and female, bond and free
One flesh is not above another
For, in fact, spiritually we are brothers

Whenever a Saint trips, slips or falls
Who is the best to help one back up ?
He's the Master, and for each He calls
He who submitted and bore the cup.
Let's lend encouragement and support
For we are all imperfect and fall short.

It's at the Lord's Church we find doctrine
That's redemptive- full of charity
Where we can lose ourselves and begin
To give service with variety
For this we'll consecrate talents and skills
According to as the Father wills


Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
“Concern for the One,”
Liahona, May 2008, 17–20

Pray Always

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spencer W. Kimball
Pray Always , Tabuli, March 1982

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Prophet- Helps Us Move Forward

It was said of the Savior
That He went about doing good
His code of behavior
We'll follow doing as we should
On this sometimes precarious journey
May we seek for things that are good and lovely
Whatsoever thing is pure, honest, just and true
What is of good report, we praise its virtue
May these things keep us safely on our course
With our thoughts on these things, there is no remorse

Through our Lord's example
We'll give others a kind sample
Of members of the church
We're kind, though from backgrounds diverse
Let's treat each other as though a brother
And show respect and love to one another
As worldly sins takes costly toll in human lives
May we teach of the path where one best survives
That as families we are safe from the storm
With Christ's light- love and peace are in perfect form

The world can be fright'ning
Moral fabric is unrav'ling
To which we've been exposed
Things that drag us down grows and grows
The world declines at an alarming speed
And our youth are precious. They're the most in need
They face temptations we can scarcely comprehend
And as their reinforcements, we must now descend
We are waging a war that we will win
Let's work together and now let's begin

And we need not despair
God is at the helm to declare
He'll lead us with His light
Which shines through the darkest night
Some feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone
With their personal misfortune as theirs to own
There's a tunnels end to this distorted prism
Of shattered dreams, vanished hopes, and pessimism
We can turn to Heav'nly Father in faith
He will comfort all through whate'er storm to face

Thomas S. Monson
“Looking Back and Moving Forward,”
Ensign, May 2008, 87–90


Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Our Prophet Calls- Come Back

Though sin and selfishness can take their toll
A change for the better can come unto all
Over the years, we have issued appeals
In the pathway of life, there is much one feels
To the offended, the critical and transgressor
Come back and feast again at the table of the Lord
Come and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits
Fellowship with the Saints, our invitation issues.

Conscience and spirit are actuary
They can be our private sanctuary
Come cast off the old person and measure
To true potential and to true stature
We're now reaching out to you with the pure love of Christ
He calls out- His yoke is easy, His burden is light
Come find rest to your souls as you strive to learn of Him
He's meek and lowly in heart- He'll heal you from within

To all those who are wounded in spirit
And with great fears are struggling to bear it
The departure from road markers leaves tears
Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears
On the detour with a dead end, there are casualties
Come find the markers pointing toward eternities
From indifference, carelessness, selfishness, and sin
Let us begin again, and together we will win!

Thomas S. Monson
April Conference 2008

Matt. 11: 28-30

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our Prophet's Testimony

With all my heart, With all my soul
I lift my voice to testify in my new role

As a witness, I here declare
That God lives. He came with Christ, answering a prayer

Our Redeemer and Elohim
Here in the flesh. Can we picture or comprehend?

He gave His life, out of His love
He Mediates and remembers us from above

May His blessings come upon us
While in our homes, in our workplace, in our service

With gratitude, we've looked backward
And may we give of ourselves as we move forward

With fervency, and a love that gives me strength,
I now offer all that I have to serve at length

In accordance  unto the Lord's will
I'll direct His church affairs, till my days are stilled.

I found President Monson's words so touching, I wrote them in poetry.
April Conference 2008

The Bombs Fell Again, Today

The bombs fell again, today
Making the sky a dismal gray
The stock market too took a dive
Aren't we all glad we're yet alive?

When conflicts and wars get worse
Do we think we live in curse?
Will we spend on food or gas?
Do we wish this state would pass?

When so many do what's hard to tell
Is it no wonder our poor hearts fail?
The scriptures told of this anxious day
We are all in need of help for which we must pray

Yet, this is the best time, in light, to live
While mankind is being sifted with a sieve
Of our many trials, God is aware
And we can find Him, He is always there

God's breath will o'er power the murky stream
Uncovering the long neck's of vanity
In their jaws hang strong bridles
Keeping them turned to their idols

God's lips burn with anger
His tongue's waits with fire
His glor'ous voice shall be heard
His arms of lightnings never tire

The trumpets on the mountain
Announce His name afar
Unto each plain and nation
Reminds us of whom we are

Scatter, oh tempests and hailstones
Come to us and quake our bones
Ye, mighty one of Israel
Awaken us to feel

Rid us of our lofty anger
Help us in love more to linger
Oh, Lord bind up the breach
And heal our wounds, far to reach

Isaiah 30

In Pursuit of Happiness

What e'er our life's pursuit
For happiness, we shoot
Some people think that when
We are depressed, we sin

If we are not careful
No one will be cheerful
For this conception
Is a misconception

(Is this how our God lives
In constant state of bliss?
As He does anything
And wants more of nothing?)

Then we're in denial
We grow through each trial
When we feel we're distressed
That's when the mind's impressed !

To be the sole wealthy
Can that be so healthy?
To have it all in looks,
Are there not talon's hooks?

Those who get their demands
Oft stand on shallow sands
Those centered on themselves
Have they in their hearts delved?

The selfless exhausted
Are oft with love frosted
And those who're generous
Aren't so cantankerous

Those with inner beauty
Are they kind or snooty?
God's Word tells what to seek
To be child-like and meek

May our hearts swell up wide
To feel all, and not hide
May our heart and bowels yearn
That our bosom might burn

When we've God's perspective
We'll be introspective
We'll be anxious to please
Unto the "least of these"

Anxious to extend joy
To every girl and boy
That they might know of God
And weep without facade

Our Father is perfect
And His laws are correct
He's for mind and for heart
When gloom rains, what will start?

Thoughts after reading Times and Seasons
Joy and Anguish
by Ben Huff


Moses 7: 28-29

28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven
looked upon the residue of the people,
and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying:
How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth
their tears as the rain upon the mountains?

29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that
thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from
all eternity to all eternity?


Moses 7: 41

41 And it came to pass that the Lord spake
unto Enoch, and told Enoch all the doings
of the children of men; wherefore Enoch knew,
and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery,
and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his heart
swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned;
and all eternity shook.


Moses 7: 67

67 And the Lord showed Enoch all things,
even unto the end of the world; and he saw the day
of the righteous, the hour of their redemption, and
received a fulness of joy;

Our Prophet, We Sustain and Pray For

Our prophet shared from his heart
In a remarkable session
Oh, the spirit we each felt
At this solemn occassion

This day, we were called to stand
Looking back and moving forward
We raised a sustaining hand
And our hands reached heavenward

Now we know, and we pray for
President Monson, our prophet
Whom we love and we support
What we've felt, we'll not forget!

May he be an instrument
To move forward this great work
May we value his judgment
And when called, may we not shirk

May he have continued health
As he travels the world over
May the church have sufficient wealth
To meet its needs, moreover

When he asks, may we hear it
As though, Thou, were the one calling
May he feel of our spirit
And find in us, we're willing

When life is precarious
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Temples- Thou has given us
Help us to go as we should.

He's pledged his life and his strength
To direct the church's affairs
Give his days sufficient length
Ease his burdens and his cares.

Thomas S. Monson

Walk in the Light

We were all taught by Elohim,
He, the Father of our spirits.
We wanted to be like Him
To prove faithful, and fully His.

We've unique characteristics.
He designed our earth life with love
And o'ersaw all the logistics.
What can we experience enough of?

With a body of cravings that grow
We would be subject to illness.
Pain, suff'ring and death we would know
On our journey t'wards fullness

We progressed as much as we could
And Lucifer rebelled the plan
He thought better of what we should
He'd forgo a body, rather than

Cast out with a third of the hosts
They spend all their time to deceive
Of their power to tempt, they do boast
Wanting to prevent what we'd receive

As part of Father's grand design
We'd need help to learn to behave
He lit up all the earth with a sign
A light for our conscience that would save

This Light had come from our Savior
Who never strayed from all that's right
He would condescend, though He's pure
And teach us how to walk in the light

As part of the plan, He must die
After suff'ring for all our sins
After all temptations were denied
He'd help us return, as He ransoms

We came as a babe that was mild
Our prior existence was veiled
So that we could learn as a child
All that we prepared for and detailed

Now, our lives are not perfect
We make mistakes, and often sin
But, tools are in place to protect
Though, for some, from God's laws they harden

As we learn to sense what is right
We become privileged to find more
Those with the Holy Ghost gain insight
And can be a light like the Savior

From our joy, we'll share the lights warmth
As it illuminates our path
Where for everyone there is roomth
Hoping to see what the Father hath.


You make choices every day
That will keep you walking in the light
Show new faith, when there is dim sight.
For, if not you are moving away.

May you watch, may you pray
May you help others to walk in the light,
May you know a countenance bright.
Glowing with warmth to brighten the way


Henry B. Eyring
“Walk in the Light,”
Ensign, May 2008, 123–25

Mommy, Why?

Mommy, why are we leaving home
Where are we going, why must we roam?
Come, come along, my dear precious one
We are going to live in Zion
There we'll build the city of our God
Come follow me, hold my hand and come...

How much longer on the ship? I'm sick
We've traveled so long on this Atlantic
Yes, the quarters are small, the voyage long
But, we're together. Let's sing a glad song
With faith in the Lord we'll be made strong
We'll soon be in Zion, where we belong...

I feel so very sick, I feel so weak
Do you see land? Please, Mommy, go and peek
Yes, you stay with Mary and hold her hand
She has been too weak to even stand
Her lips are pale and I greatly fear
She's soon to pass through this vale of tears...

Why must we bury her out to sea?
Can we sing a song for dear Mary?
The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away
Yes, little child, let's sing and let's pray
If we do according to God's will
He promises us we've His peace, be still...

Why must we walk so long and so far
Can I sit up there, high inside the cart?
We need to keep moving, just to stay warm
Come, and I will hold you under my arm
Here we must step and here we must press on
Until we reach the city of Zion...

Is this our new home, this little dugout?
Is this what Zion is really about?
This quilt can be our door for this winter
For now all we need is quick shelter
We've sacrificed much and we have conquered
May our trials always be remembered...

(One-sixth, died on the journey- there to slumber.)
They did it for you and for me- now- look at our numbers!


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

The Passage of Time

The passage of time dims our old mem'ries
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!

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

I Come To The Table

I come to the table stressed, depressed and deprived
When I'm emotionally hungered it won't be denied
And if I think my stomach's in need, I have lied

A humble prayer is what I should first always do
Then I should meditate and feast on God's words too.
And then I'll have renewed strength and gratitude

May I write this down on paper and in my heart
So that when sorrow, or anxiety should start
I'll remember the blessing this feast did impart

Clean Hands and A Pure Heart

During His three day ministry,
Our Savior of the world
Called and authorized disciples,
In His doctrines they were schooled.
He healed the sick, and blessed children,
As He prayed for His people.
He then succinctly summarized
Principles of His gospel.

“Unto Me, come,” the Savior taught.
Come and make sacred covenants.
And, renunciate all your sins,
Unto baptismal ord'nance.
In His own time and His own way
And according to His will.
We can come to know Him,
As those in the land of Bountiful.

Once repentant, we are baptized,
Our hearts turn towards our God.
And the Holy Ghost prepares us
To stand Holy without spot.
Through Christ's merits, mercy and grace,
Our commitment does not drift.
He's our Light, which does guide us,
Our faith in Him, His gift.

There is purpose in our journey,
We walk in newness of life.
When we yield our hearts unto God,
We obtain the mind of Christ.
Where once carnal, we're cleansed and healed.
As with fire we're refined.
And the Holy Ghost sanctifies,
While the soul is purified.

When we've no more disposition
To do that which is evil-
Our hands are clean and we reach out.
We become His Disciple.
We should avoid and overcome.
And, repent, be cleansed from sin.
The Lord helps us do and be good
And change our hearts from within.

With clean hands and with a pure heart,
We ascend unto the hills
Where the sick and poor are now fed.
And there's faith, which God instills
May we offer our Lord pure hearts,
With clean hands as we were meant.
May we apply the atonement.
And, do as we are now sent.

He raised the dead.
He healed the sick.
He cleansed leprosy.
He knows my heart.
He knows my hands.
And, I know He loves me.

He prayed for them.
And blessed children.
And, He called "Come and see".
He knew their heart.
They saw His hands
And, they wrote words for me.


David A. Bednar,
“Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,”
Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83

God Will Make a Way

God hath not given us the spirit of fear
He would that we know He is ever near
When we're living right, God will make a way
As long as we have the power of faith

Some fear the present and some fear the future
While some suffer and think they're a failure
Who among us can say they have not felt fear?
For it gnaws destruction that is hard to bear!

Fear is not of God. Let us recognize this-
The adversary would that we be his.
When we're pulled down and trapped- he steers and drives
And he would that we fear to change our very lives

This can be corrosive and even deadly
But we can overcome, when we're ready
Through the power of faith which comes from our God-
Who would that we pray and hold to the rod

Dear Father, Grant us faith when storms beat us down
May adversity not drive us to the ground
That we will not be consumed with the pressures of life
But, look for each miracle taught amidst strife

Give us faith to pay our tithes and be generous
That the window from heaven open oft for us
Please help us to know and do what is right
That we may wax strong unto delight

Help us not forget the power of priesthood
Finding our strength in the bonds of brotherhood
Lord, help us increase our faith in one another
That we may do good and great things together

Help us subdue impulses that will degrade
And that our negative elements may all but fade
When sacred things are mocked, shall we compromise?
No, we will keep Thy standards close and before our eyes

Help us live happily and be productive
Walking in paths where the light is conducive
May we realize the desire of our hearts
Help us humbly submit. As Thy will imparts

Help us reach out to those whose faith has grown cold
Warm them, unto faith until they are bold
To Thy panorama, may we serve and add beauty
When we feel there is 'no way', open our eyes to our duty



Gordon B. Hinckley

Shall We Not Go Forward?

Shall we not go forward?
With courage for this great cause
Or soon we may go backward
If we hesitate or pause

This day has been foreseen
Since the beginning of time
When others cave and concede
We will offer truths sublime

It's our turn to shoulder
And help in the glorious work
We must be brave and bolder
This is not the time to shirk

We're part of the in-crowd,
In the family of Christ.
In temples we've been endowed
Our covenants call us to rise

As we head all women
And move the cause of Zion
In the world, though we're not "in"
Let's show who we rely on!

What's our obligation?
Shall we be casual?
We can show our devotion
With our heart, soul and our all!

When hearts of men fail them
Violence knows no bounds
With children killing children
Satan controls and abounds

With Christ at the foremost
We avoid pride filled hearts
We may not be a grand provost
But, we'll have what God imparts.

Let's be optimistic
With a bright countenance,
With joy that's simplistic,
And not borne through endurance.

It is liberating
To want to do service
Although it is involving
We realize we've a purpose

We'll make mistakes, perhaps
What we really want we'll get
Shall we not serve, though we lapse,
Shall we go forward and not quit?

Sheri Dew

Do You Hear the Voice of Gladness?

Do you hear the voice of gladness?
Which calls with mercy from heaven
To bring the latter days its fullness.
As dews of Carmel continually descends
God's knowledge in the last days, to us extends.

Our Savior's ancient apostles,
And Book of Mormon prophets,
With the archangel and the angels
Ushered in God's kingdom for our profit
Shall we not shout for joy at the thought of this?

They've brought and restored the priesthood
With the keys of the kingdom, to bind on earth.
For both the living and the dead's good
They've given this dispensation its birth
If not mankind would be smitten with a curse

The living can serve for the dead
And weld family links together.
From the babe to the household head,
The chain of names can extend forever
Bound on earth through proxied priesthood endeavor.

How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet that bring glad tidings.
Let rocks weep for joy and spring fountains!
The gospel truths have burst forth for our drinking.
And may all the earth break forth unto singing.



Doctrine and Covenants 128

Poems based on President Kimball's talks

Zion's Pure in Heart

Love
The crowning principle of life
Is the gospel in action
Where the love of husband and wife
Lays down a solid foundation

Service
Pure religion lifts sorrows
Succors the needs of widows
And those in need of fathering
for Christ's sake, who feels suffering

Work
We've happiness and self-esteem
When we work and accomplish
And, thus we realize welbeing
As we further our membership

Self-Reliance
To become, more of self, stewards
We're commanded by the Lord
For every aspect leans towards
First the self, then family, then ward

Consecration
Consecration is sacrifice
Of one's time and one's talents
For the Lord, without thinking twice
We are His laboring servants

Accountability
All things belong to the Lord
And we're held accountable
In all we apply our lives for
May we show we're responsible

Approaching the ideals of Zion

The highest order of priesthood
Is founded on all these things
To serve others with brotherhood
Is the noblest of all dealings

How this applies to church programs
We can have understanding
When we've provident living plans
What's good, we're accentuating

Let's do these things because they're right
Because they're satisfying
Then, when storms blow with all their might
We'll find stakes of refuge off'ring


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 share- we give, receive and build character
May we ignore all forms of lasciviousness
Then, for a Zion, may we reach together

Gone will be envyings, strifes, tumults, whoredoms
As to our neighbors, we esteem as brothers
Gone, too, lies and murders. Then with more freedoms,
As to 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
All the sick would have a shoulder to cry on
We would celebrate with one heart and one mind
Who does not thrill to this picture of zion?

In fourth Nephi, we witness Zion's blessings
As there were no more 'ites, no more selfishness
They had no more desire to do bad things
They we're delightsome, wholesome, and found guiltless

Who can look upon another who has less
And say to themselves their poverty is just
When the whole world, our Father would that we bless
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 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
And welfare is the essence of the gospel
Zion will put on her beautiful garments
As there's more who shine with 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
When we're provident we've safety in God's palm

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


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 all by far
As the world increases in divergence

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

Who's obsessed enough for this worthy goal?
To tell each story with love and pathos
Imagine masterpieces in perfection
The greatest of all in production...

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.

Pray Always

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zion's Pure in Heart

Love

The crowning principle of life
Is the gospel in action
Where the love of husband and wife
Lays down a solid foundation

Service

Pure religion lifts sorrows
Succors the needs of widows
Aids those in need of fathering
For Christ's sake, who's felt their suffering

Work

We've happiness and self-esteem
When we work and accomplish
And, thus we realize wellbeing
As we further our membership

Self-Reliance

To become, more of self, stewards
We're commanded by the Lord
Every aspect leans towards
First the self, then family, then ward

Consecration

Consecration is sacrifice

Of one's time and one's talents

For the Lord, without thinking twice

We are His laboring servants

Accountability

All things belong to the Lord

And we're held accountable

In all we apply our lives for

May we show we're responsible

The highest order of priesthood

Is founded on all these things

To serve others with brotherhood

Is the noblest of all dealings

How this applies to church programs

We can have understanding

When we've provident living plans

What's good, we're accentuating

Let's do these things because they're right

Because they are satisfying

Then, when storms blow with all their might

Stakes of refuge we are finding

-Spencer W. Kimball

And the Lord Called His People Zion