Come Hear and Understand

Come hear and understand the gospel
That is given to every people
Come learn of God and be of one
With every nation, kindred and tongue

We've potential for exaltation
We must work out our salvation
Through faith in Christ and repentance
We're baptized to a new existence

As individuals we must perceive
What covenants we make and receive
When we're given the Holy Ghost
We comprehend what we need the most

For the highest state of happiness
We'll focus on what acts in us
Then progress to our family
As the home is love's laboratory

Who's our guide to love one another?
He is our Elder Brother!
We're taught patience and kind service
And to walk in truth and soberness

For the increase of love desired
Oft a rebuke is required
May this lead t'wards eternal life
While learning from overcoming strife

We've each responsibility
We've each accountability
As lawful heirs sealings extend
Let's endure with love that never ends

"In God's eternal plan, salvation is
an individual matter;
Exaltation is a family matter"

Salvation and Exaltation
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Ensign May 2008, pg.7

We Have it All

We will not fall
For we have it all
Our plate is filled full
Beyond the brimfull

Heav'nly Father
And Heav'nly Mother
Sent us our Brother
And He's like no other

We've the priesthood
For doing what's good
Let's act as we should
Doing as our Lord would

The golden rod
Is the word of God
And where e'er we plod
May we hold to the rod

We have what's choice
Let us now rejoice
We can hear God's voice
As our soul it hoists

The Holy Ghost
Is a Heavenly Host
For what we need most
In our heart it posts

The Light of Christ
Is Holy and bright
Inside it ignites
Wisdom that is right

We have spirit
We've ears to hear it
It is full of wit
And, it's brightly lit

The list goes on
From dusk on to dawn
From dawn to night fall
Our best blessings call

We've gratitude
For Christ's attitudes
We've more latitude
With beatitudes

The Purest of Hearts

The purest of hearts
Is broken and bleeding
Where a kind thought starts
And soon they are feeding
Someone what they're needing

The weakest of hearts
Is weary and life worn
From stiffened pride darts
Which strike to rip and scorn
And in time they're left torn

The hardest of hearts
Is hard to understand
They're closed from past smarts
That sting like a fast hand
That's made a sound land

The softest of hearts
Is full of charity
They look for good charts
And see with clarity
They're of a rarity

Irregular hearts
Show bursts of energy
When a task imparts
They bounce to busily
As though a busy bee

Whatever we are
Christ has felt each heart beat
In joy and in scar
What an amazing feat
And, someday Him we'll meet

The hearts that are clean
He consoles with justice
There's joy that's far seen
When we look to Jesus
His love enlightens us

Jacob 3: 1-3
1 But behold, I, Jacob,
would speak unto you that are
pure in heart. Look unto God
with firmness of mind, and pray
unto him with exceeding faith,
and he will console you
in your afflictions,
and he will plead your cause,
and send down justice
upon those who seek your
destruction.

Ps. 19: 8
8 The statutes of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Who Lurks Around the Corner?

Who lurks around the corner
Laughing at the pain?
When an addict falls again
And grieves at the shame

In disguise there is Satan
Putting thoughts within
For the addict must straighten
If he wants to win

At the end of a dark road
A man fights for freedom
As he struggles disheartened
Only Christ can free him

Yesterday's experience
Does not offer nor lend
Guarantees from a relapse
For we're at risk till the end

We may know inside the mind
What is best for our soul
But, it may take quite some time
For us to reach our high goal

Being where there is darkness
Is not the way to change
In light there is much progress
As wants change and rearrange

Say goodbye to what's awry
Take the road that's straightened
Lest slip ups come to test and try
Along what's dark or shaded

Elder Neal A. Maxwell wisely counseled,
“Even yesterday’s righteous experience
does not guarantee us against tomorrow’s
relapse. A few who have supernal spiritual
experiences have later fallen.
Hence, enduring well to the end assumes
real significance, and we are at risk
till the end!” (Ensign, July 1982,
“Thanks Be To God,” p.51)


Thoughts from reading
Backsliding into addiction
by Vickey Taylor
Meridian magazine
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/matters/080530addiction.html

Oh, The Greatness of God

Oh, the greatness of God and our nothingness
Oh, how we need to call out His name
For if we live without Him, how can we be blessed?
With faith in Him, We're without shame

From this single commandment, then we'll be
Of a mind that is automatically
Filled with great blessings immeasureably
And born of the spirit naturally

May we always rejoice, filled with His love
Submitting ourselves to humility
Seeking knowledge of what is above
So that on earth all the better we will be
Though we're beggars, great blessings we will see

What's in living an unexamined life?
For we've each foreordination
Perhaps to be found when we've conquered each strife
As we grow towards or our destination

Thoughts after reading
A List of Promises
By Richard Eyre


Mosiah 4:11-15
11 And again I say unto you as I have said before,
that as ye have come to the knowledge of
the glory of God, or if ye have known of his
goodness and have tasted of his love, and have
received a remission of your sins,
which causeth such exceedingly great joy
in your souls, even so I would that ye should
remember, and always retain in remembrance,
the greatness of God, and your own nothingness,
and his goodness and long-suffering towards you,
unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even
in the depths of humility, calling on the name
of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly
in the faith of that which is to come,
which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this
ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the
love of God, and always retain a remission of
your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge
of the glory of him that created you, or in the
knowledge of that which is just and true.
13 And ye will not have a mind to injure
one another, but to live peaceably, and to render
to every man according to that which is his due.
14 And ye will not suffer your children that
they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer
that they transgress the laws of God, and fight
and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil,
who is the master of sin, or who is the devil spirit
which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an
enemy to all righteousness.
15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of
truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one
another, and to serve one another.

Leave the Flying to Me

When we pray to the Lord on high
And make Him our habitation
The angels are giv'n charge to fly
And, watch o'er our every location

Where we go and in all our ways
There are angels to supervise
They're sent swiftly, without delays
For we are not always all that wise

The angels whisper thoughts, certainly
When we keep our Lord nearby
So that when we've something tempting
They'll guide us so we'll not reach to try

I can almost hear them breathing
As they gather in prayer and love
They're as God's hands for our keeping
As they watch over us from above

We've enemies that we must fight
Our bodies want to be in charge
We struggle with big appetites
When we're not mindful of what's at large

If we were to see the angels
We'd see them working busily
And from our guardian angels
We might hear, "Leave the flying to me"

May the Lord's angels surround us
One in front and one on each side
To keep us safe as they encrust
May we trust and enjoy the ride

Thoughts after reading
Meridian Magazine
May Angels Surround Us
By Carolyn Allen
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/weightloss/080519angels.html

"When thou hast made the Lord,
even the most high, thy habitation;
there shall no evil befall thee ...
for He shall give his angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
(Psalm 91:9-11)

To Emulate the Savior

To emulate the Savior- how is this done?
He the great illustrator -and I just one
With unshaken faith and absolute trust
I'll repent with pure thoughts- I know that I must
For clean hands, I'll pray. On Christ I will cast
With Him, I'll press forward, unwavering and steadfast
With Him, I've sufficient strength that will last

"His yoke is easy and His burden is light"
Has meaning only in our faith in Christ
And if we are tortured and ridiculed
All the more so our eternal life is fueled
No matter what others may do to us
It's better to suffer than our faith to bust
For where we place faith, we live forever, thus

Thoughts from the Aaronic Priesthood Manuel
Lesson 11: Faith Sufficient to Obtain Eternal Life,”
Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 38


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.

Little Remnants

Little remnants of thought
Where do they come from?
No matter how hard fought
Minds can't be made numb

We've no drug or disease
To completely erase
Nor will time appease
All we've likened to chase

The twisting of doctrines
And shading of laws
Have led to darkened skins
And torn murmuring claws

We've the Preach My Gospel
It is for all the earth
May knowledge soon pool
Unto cleansing and rebirth

Come and bask in the truth
And in the pure sunlight
Where fountains yields fruit
As thoughts turn to what is right

Father's Day Achievement

I'm thankful for the time we spend

And all the places that we go

You're my father. You're my friend

This key chain will remind you so

Like a lanyard...love blends and bends

Symbolizing what we know-

Our love's eternal without end

Forever weaving, more to grow

And... my love's with you all the places that you go

Made lanyard key chains.  The trick is starting them and I recommend having that done beforehand.

Click on father's day just below this post to read many other Father's Day poems

Fathers, we love who you are

You put magic in children's eyes

You're a hero that's never far

You lift them to the skies


Happy Father's Day Heavenly Father

This is the day to celebrate
Our Father in Heaven
Daily to Him prayers inundate
By all of us, given

Happy Father’s Day,
Heavenly Father above
Hope you know always
We look to you with love

A father is the first one
We look to when there’s a need
We can’t name all He has done
But we can listen and heed

Father You are the First of Many

Father, you are the first of many
Great men your child will look up to.
A better hero, there isn't any.
They want to spend time with you!

Kid Therapist's Advice for Dads

So you want to be a better dad?
Here is a child with some helpful tips
Your name can be known to rhyme with mad or rad
Kids are listening to what comes through your lips

Apparently, what they want and need
Is more of your affection and time
They want to sit on your lap and hear you read
And many of the things that don’t cost a dime!

The Honored Title Father

The honored title, Father, means much to me

As I ponder my eternal family.

Rightly and first is God, in Heaven above.

I am His child, born of Him, in Spirit and love.

Next, is the Father and creator of Earth.

Who, through the Atonement, taught us our worth.

The next might surprise you. It is Adam.

For, his life spent fallen, brought about all man.

Still there are more before I get to my own.

There is Noah, whose ark saved all life, alone.

Then, there is Abraham and the covenant of his seed.

His children outnumber the sands of the sea.

I can’t forget the one who adopted the Lord of us all.

For, upon his shoulders was the greatest call!
Speaking of callings, there is one in this ward
Who helps me stay clean, as in life I move forward

Finally, there is you, the Father of me.

Without whom I would not ever be.
Thank you for preparing me for a good life
As to my father-in-law, I treasure the words: man and wife

Thank you dear fathers, you’ve led me and taught.

More than words can say, I love you A LOT!

For a father is the one whom without we would be naught.

A father is to be treasured and his wisdom sought.

Now, in your own heart, is there anyone that I forgot?

Let Us Be Men

A father is a man
Who knows to sacrifice
He is generous and
Loves to serve and surprise

A Father Indeed

A father can do the hard things
For the home he is a stable rock
We oft go to him for blessings
From his duties he will never walk

Adjectives for Father

F- firm, fixed, faithful
A- adept, advisory, accomplished
T- temperate, thankful, trustworthy
H- hardworking, honorable, honest
E- efficient, ethical, enduring
R- reliable, resourceful, robust

Fatherhood- An Eternal Calling

Father you are my anchor
When the waves grow high
Steadying me from danger
As what I face does try

Father you are what grounds me
To the truths I should hold
Though the storms of life are pounding
I feel your courage, bold

Thoughts by words from Elder Perry

Father I Know Just What You Need

Father, I know just what you need
So relax with fresh air to breathe
This gift didn’t break the bank 
And the allergens will leave

I bought a hepa filter and ziptied it to a box fan
To the back so the fan stays clean and can be vacuumed for maintenance.
I hope the itchy eyes will get some relief….
I read it is 90 % the effectiveness of the $800 variety!

The Determined Father

Of a father, much is required
Determination being the first
For this calling will never expire
And you will see the best and worst

Durable
Enthusiastic
Truthful
Energetic
Righteous
Merciful
Interested
Noble
Entertaining
Diligent

acrostic qualities of a father

For the Father to Be- Tools

What should a brand new father have

To maintain a growing home?

But some simple tools ready at hand

That are great to use and own

A hammer that’s strong to build

Whatever needs to be in place

Plus a putty knife and brush

For what demands a patient face

Pliers and a wrench

To replace and restore

A ruler made to stretch

And measure what’s in store

The parenting tips for a father

Are much like the tools he owns

Time and attention will take him farther

Than ignoring what daily grows

See him: fixing, scraping, prying, and nudging

And making the best of what he has?

Father is building the strength for judging

What he’ll need next as parenting demands

What better thing to do for a father to be
Than to throw him some manpower
So he will have all the right tools ready
For what comes after the baby shower

craft card:  trace the tools- a hammer, putty knife, brush, pliers, wrench, tape measurer, and glue them inside a folded paper in the shape of a trapeziod. glue a red handle to the top.

Father by Divine Design

Father, by divine design
You preside over the home.
This calling, for eternity,
Is the closest to our Father’s known

Help me learn from my mistakes
As for the world I prepare
With the courage to do what it takes
To be successful here

Father is the One You Call

Every year I try to write new Father’s Day Poems
It is hard to think of an Universal description of Him
Until you think of God- who is always there
wise 
solid
a part of you

Father is the one you call
When you have had a scare
When you are stuck at a wall
And you need life to be fair

Having tested mortal paths
He provides security
Unto gratitude for all one has
And for durability

He can lend a hand
Listen to you worry
Be there to understand
And slow you down when you shouldn’t hurry

Click on the above title to go to Focus on the Family and read comment after comment with tributes and memories of Dad- as well as forgiveness and coming to terms with not having…

My Dad

My Dad throws me way up high
So I can touch the sky
He Twirls me round and round
And hangs me upside down

The best thing about my Dad
Is he comforts me when I’ve been bad
He tells me he believes in me
And…just like him, I want to be!

He’s the reason I try hard
At school, home, and in the yard
I want to grow to be like him
My Dad, he makes my world spin

Father’s Day
A time to recommit
And celebrate the influence
Of the father and the strength he represents

thoughts from Father’s Day: A Time to Recommit 
It’s June and in my corner of the world, that means warmer weather, summer vacations, kids out of school and Father’s Day! In just over a week we will be celebrating the influence of dads in our lives. United Families International has researched the critical place fathers play in the lives of their children.

We recognize that dad is not only the one to toss us high into the air, teach us to ride a bike and fix its flat, loosen the tight grip on the pickle jar, move our boxes as we go away to college and comfort us when we make mistakes, but fathers also provide the security that keeps kids in school, and out of drugs, mischief and prisons. Social science clearly shows that having a father in the home lessens substantially the risks of unhappy, delinquent children in society.

I wish to thank Tom Christensen for the following write up on fathers. Having been involved in pro-family work for over 25 years and as the father of 16 children, Tom certainly understands the importance of fathers and families in a healthy society!

Cordially,

Carol Soelberg 
President, United Families International 

When a Girls Pregnant Everyone Sees Her Sin

When a girls pregnant

Everyone sees her sin

The consequences so long term

Emotions fill to the brim

As the beauty of new life begins

Much is stirring within

Unwed and pregnant

It's a gradual growth

There is much she can't

As she's no offers of betroth

To her baby, she's made an oath

For now, she lives and shares for both

And what will she do

When the baby comes?

Her burdens not a few...

There's no time to twiddle thumbs

How will she provide, on little crumbs?

To a life of poverty, she succumbs

-------------------------

The infertile wife

And her husband

Have suffered great strife

Much they don't understand

My dear, they ache with empty hands

And a home of love that's grand

In helplessness

There's pain to bear
-----------------------

In fruitlessness

They are fully aware
-------------------------------

Won't you make that sweet baby their's?

Sweet angel you can answer prayers?

Then may heaven

Shower to you

Greatly given

A home and family too

As the past is sweetly driven

Forgotten and forgiven


I've see teen pregnancies go both ways.  What a wonderful thing it is, though, to change an unplanned pregnancy into a miracle for a couple that has prayed and waited, some having had multiple miscarriages after much expense and sacrifice.

A Team At Snails Pace

A team at snails pace
Is truly helping each other
And its not a race
We've each light which we can offer
As we lose weight, we're the author

The way is easy
When we list every consequence
We'll not feel queezy
When we work slowly through the fence
We'll tell temptation to 'get thee hence'

No more excuses
We'll see a general downward graph
As clothing loosens
We'll enjoy firm stomaches and laugh
While giving thanks on the weightloss path

To Go In Reverse

To go in reverse
Self-defeats all of my hard work
To use my reserve
At food, I must not lurk
I will strive to not go bizurk

Lost weight can come back
And when it does it oft brings more
As though an attack
Denial makes weightloss a chore
We must maintain goals we've set for

Everyday- I'll write
What my mood is and what I eat
I'll step back for light
For what foods I really should greet
I've gratitude for what I'll meet

I am not alone
As others- too carry a load
Of our act we must own
And travel along the same road
And for weightloss- use the same mode

In the Celestial Kingdom

For an eternal end there are three degrees of heaven
And we ask, to which of these will we be given?
As it's those who have sealings who reach highest story
We can aim for where there is God's Celestial glory

If a person has gained much knowledge
Have they expanded to the very edge?
No, it must be balanced with diligence
As, too obedience combines with intelligence

For the blessings from God to be obtained
It requires some things be abstained
We must be more than just educated
There are laws on which things are predicated

There is an order to priesthood
Where in steps, God is understood
In the new and everlasting covenant
We reach higher, no longer ignorant

When our bodies are purified
We'll see what earth has denied
Our spirits are made of unique matter
That is fine and pure and cannot be shattered

My Best Helping Hand

My best helping hand
Is at the end of my own arm
And I understand
It brings to me much more harm
My hand to my mouth
Requires that my arm must bend
With hands pointing south
My problems would come to an end
But then do I learn?
What's a permanent solution?
My stomach for more churns
Will weightloss come to fruition?

Those out of control
Try surgery, staples and pills
But, it takes its toll
As the body soon overfills
When we're in balance
The body and spirit unite
Then a stressed instance
Does not expand the appetite
The spirit knows best
And will help the body retrain
We'll soon be at rest
Once the habit has been restrained

So, spirit take charge
Help me to feed that unmet need
On a party barge
With food everywhere- I'll not greed
I'll nourish on the good word
I'll enjoy talking
And partake of all that is heard
From food, I'll be walking
I'll not eat blindly
But, sit treasuring every bite
I will then find me
Who doesn't eat till all is tight

And- oh the freedom
To control what goes downsliding
And- oh the wisdom
I'm more than -feel, taste, touch- I'm me

myweightlossteam.com

A Young Woman

A young woman in a nursing home
Learned how to write for she could not roam
She wrote all day and into the night
She had much to say and she wrote with might
Of what she saw on the T.V. screen
For she believed all that she had seen

"I am happy and glad that I am here
As you people live in sin- it's clear
Who is married, soon is divorcing
And I for them, am found remorsing
Those who murder- why did they do it?
If they'd admit- I'd write less fluent"

"The teenagers- tatoos and piercings
Their underthings makes quite the rear scenes
The children swear and command parents
I want to scream at what is apparent"
Her list goes on- She hopes they will read
For she has seen- their lives are in need

Her words descend as though little seeds
Spreading to some- her words to them feeds
They're the victims of those who've divorced
And they value all she has discoursed
They're the victims whose lost a loved one
And they hunger as they're too lonesome

They're the victims born of the unwed
They see clearly all that she has said
They're the victims- the sweet grandparents
How'd they go wrong? Oh, how each heart laments
The response grows and there's no time for much
Her meals are rushed- she has lives to touch

She's a Queen

She is a queen
Over our family
Though strictly seen
As she speaks candidly.
She'd worked so hard
To keep her home.
She'd saved each card
Answered each phone.
Her days- grow long
She sleeps them away.
Long gone her song
And clear words to say.

My grandma sits
Withered like a flower.
Her chin it hits
Her chest- without power.
How I love her
And want for her to go home.
For there I'm sure
She'll whistle- happy to roam.
Close to Grandpa
And even her parents.
As full love will draw,
What's so apparent!

In a picture
That's upon her nightstand
A smile fits her
For it lights her up grand.
My fingers must not point
But write lovingly
May what I write anoint
To all my family.
We're a little chubby
And we love to laugh.
All's not lovey dovey
But, we're on the right path.

One strong character flaw
Stayed throughout her life.
Do I too have that claw
That cause others strife?
Our family tradition
We are not above
Is training condition
For patience and for love.
From Tennessee
To Coalinga, then Fresno
All will miss Wency
When it's her time to go.

Living and Flowing

Living and Flowing
Breathing and growing
Knowledge from the heart
Where all good things start

What of Our Tears?

What of our tears
Where do they drip from?
New pain and fears
And joy- then they come

We have feelings
And sacred learnings
With minds reeling
From each yearning

We try harder
To feel deeply
When we ponder
And aim steeply

My Neck Stretches Forth

My neck stretches forth
When I sit and look forward
To find what's of worth
Too, I must lean toward

Some who are wanton
Stretch forth their necks out of pride
They've satisfaction
When they're stared at while they stride

But, a heroes neck
Stretches out for all mankind
With love that is perfect
The greatest we'll ever find

We all need heroes
For which we'll stretch our necks to see
Even on our tiptoes
Even the day our Lord will be coming

What Should We Be?

What should we be?
How do we deal with each new strife?
Our legacy
Is putting meaning to our life

The Master Teacher
Showed how to love and sacrifice
May we each year
Show more gratitude for that high price

Words of Love From the Heart

Words of love from the heart
Are impassioned
May you feel them impart
Deep compassion

Your every day is hard
With trial's weight
May these words in this card
Ease and abate

May I offer Jesus?
He's suffered, too
He feels the pain in us
And- He loves you

Dinosaurs, Giant Creatures

Dinosaurs, giant creatures
Wonder and amaze
All their strength and their features
Were the earth's other days

The future, what of the earth?
Renewed in glory
As its burned unto rebirth
Which lends a new story

Diseases, things of the past
Now there's holiness
Where friendships and families last
Upon peace and happiness

A Man Passed By

A man passed by
I felt his thought
Though he'd not cry
There's pain he fought
He was so hungry
And so alone
Though not angry
And not forlorn

My leftovers
Could ease his pain
And my efforts
Were not in vain
He smiled brightly
And gobbled up
Ever slightly
Was it enough?

I've tears for him
He's in my prayers
There's much within
That now impairs
Hindering progress
Except- there's me
I was impressed
Through him- I see

In a Different Day

In a different day
People were disciplined
They were taught to pray
And of good- they'd defend

Their dress was formal
And they had so little
For this was normal
To the jot and tittle

They prepaired clothing
And kept their homes so clean
With coal in chimneys
It blackened every seam

Then in the Spring
With rags, they'd wash and ring
And how they would sing
As though they'd everything

And perhaps they did
As we are so busy
And, also distracted
With everything dizzy

But, we have been told
We live in the best days
And we must be bold
To show our better ways

How soon we know not
That the Savior will come
Let's do as we ought
So to Him we can run

Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst

As He walked from Judea to Galilee
The Savior stopped a while in Sychar
It was a shorter route, for His ministry
Yet, at Jacob's well, He had not a jar

Though the Jews and Samaritans never mixed
Jesus asked of one for fresh water
And the woman became more perplexed
To hear He was the gift of Heavenly Father

He spoke of living water. She was intrigued
How could one drink and never thirst again?
The single thought physically appealed indeed
With fancies of magic, which are of men

Throughout history men have been in search of youth
A fountain that springs with everlasting life?
Could this man perhaps be speaking of some truth?
What she would do to avoid old age and strife!

But, only the faithful can tap at this well
Where one quenches their thirst for happiness
Without keeping commandments, we all would fail
Then, He layed bare that she currently slept in this

He told her of the things that she ever did
And astonished, she left her lone water pot
Her cries of amazement just could not be hid
As she went to tell others... to believe it or not

A crowd soon followed her, to see and hear Him
To learn more from him, they asked and they delved
And they besought Him that He'd tarry with them
As living waters to have for themselves

His words refreshed them and quenched all their yearnings
For we suffer when we spiritually thirst
And as we have the answers to satisfy searchings
May we run and tell them where the well bursts

There's long cool drinks of satisfying insights
For all those who crave knowledge and are parched
Every spirit cries out for what sustains life
There to enliven their aging withering hearts

Many have been deceived by man's craftiness
For for truth- they know not where to find it
The Lord's gospel is a cup of happiness
That's bubbling forth out from our prophet

If we hold a cistern dirty and broken
We will be parched and suffer much from drought
And as these waters share mysteries that God has spoken
They will dry up when good works are not about

May we come and be refreshed continually
And be anointed- for our Lord endows
May we find His spring and drink habitually
There to keep ourselves clean for His Holy House


Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Ensign, May 1995
Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst


John 4
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him,
How is it that thou, being a Jew,
askest drink of me, which am a woman of
Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings
with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God,
and who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked
of him, and he would have given thee
living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir,
thou hast nothing to draw with,
and the well is deep: from whence
then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father
Jacob, which gave us the well, and
drank thereof himself, and his children,
and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her,
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall
be in him a well of water springing up
into everlasting life.
15 The woman saith unto him, Sir,
give me this water, that I thirst not,
neither come hither to draw.


Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Ensign, May 1995
Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst

All That I Am So Far

All that I am so far
I owe to our God above
He has carried me afar
And has taught me how to love

Hunger, thirst, and fatigue
Our dear Savior was born
I've awe that His light's in me
And, of my sins He has bourne

The Holy Ghost can teach
As of truth it testifies
And helps to heavenward reach
The whole Godhead knows my cries

Nephi and Lehi, Named of Their Forebears

Nephi and Lehi, named of their forebears
Patterned their lives after the names they held dear
And when Nephi's judgment seat not overturn sin
He switched to missionary work and taught doctrine

For the laws were corrupt from the pride that increased
And for the most part, their righteousness had ceased
They were ripening towards utter destruction
And he knew they were in need of God's instruction

They, by their own voice, chose what made the skin crawl
Refusing to be governed by any good at all
And Nephi had now weary of unraveling each instance
For his remainder, he sought to preach repentance

Lehi went with Nephi and took courage to heart
From their parents words, strength did impart
And as exemplary sons they took on new covenants
True to their good names, they'd now be God's servants

Reading King Benjamen's words they had an impression
That there's only one way to receive sin's remissions
Their goals were good works, they sought not to boast
But to remember what they'd been taught and whom they loved most

By no other way shall mankind be saved
But by the atonement, where judgment is waived
The treasures of heaven need not fade away
For there would be a Savior to pave them the way

He who, by no other means and by no other,
Would come to the earth and be our honored brother
To redeem us from the fall without precondition
He would provide us light by which to re position

Our Lord is a rock, a solid foundation
Whom to build upon for life and salvation
We'll not be dragged down with the devil's winds
Nor by mighty storms or whate'er he sends

First to Bountiful, they preached of God's word
Then to each city- they'll work till all have heard
They preached with power to the dissenters
Soon they were humbled, to where faith then enters

Then for the Lamanites, the brothers prepared
To rid long hard feelings- how are hearts repaired?
They had the traditions of their fathers of old
Would they abandon them with preaching that's bold?

In Zarahemla, thousands were baptized
How were they convinced? Truth is recognized!
While other Lamanites were soon so angered
That the two men's lives became endangered

They were arrested and put into a dark jail
But after a few days, this hatred would fail
Lehi and Nephi, while suffering much from neglect
The guards were taught to treat them with respect

These two brothers, became encircled with fire
And were safe to preach to their hearts desire
The prison walls shook and so did the ground
And on them all looked from the darkness around

"Repent ye, repent," they heard a lone voice speak-
In perfect mildness, twas still, how they then shook
Again, then again, the trembling began
The marvelous words could not uttered by man

When we are wicked, who will caution us?
And show us the way t'wards our Lord, Jesus?
But, the missionaries, God's ambassadors
Modeling the Savior, as they knock on hard doors

They've God's instructions and priesthood for power
The faith of a seed will come to grow and flower
Too, they rely on us to give them a name
A door that will open- and be glad they came

Helaman 5

Great Reservoirs of Spiritual Water

Great reservoirs of spiritual water
Have been safeguarded for us to partake
We hear the words of Heavenly Father
And feel of His love which does not forsake

He'll nourish us from a living fountain
And give us what's vital in constant sips
Water's the purest in a high mountain
Where also flows what's from the prophets lips

For profit and learning and correction
When we're spiritually fed we will not thirst
To overcome sin and change direction
We must draw daily from the water first

When we're saturated, there's a cleansing
To wet our appetites, we add fasting
With increased focus, there's more we can see
There is a joy that is everlasting

We have a keystone to our religion
And we need not dilute what's been sent pure
The Book of Mormon can answer each deep question
We'll dare not go beyond, to stay secure

When we've problems too great for human strength
A quiet hour spent in meditation
Helps us tune in with God, He's close at length
And, we have faith without hesitation

We've a well of water that's springing up
And from this high source, we can clearly see
To atone for us, Jesus filled his cup
He'll help us repent and much cleaner be

President Harold B. Lee
Teachings of the President of the Church
pg. 59

All the Famines and Troubles

All the famines and troubles
Are the beginnings of sorrows
These signs are but for samples
That no more light one borrows

With kingdom against kingdom
and nation against nation
Who will rise up and free them
When we've a situation?

As calamities and signs
Are not decreased but doubled
Can good come of their designs?
Yes, if we are but humbled

Mark 13
7 And when ye shall hear of wars
and rumours of wars,
be ye not troubled:
for such things must needs be;
but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be earthquakes
in divers places, and there shall be
famines and troubles:
these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Give Heed unto the Prophet's Words

In California
Santa Ana winds blew
Carrying fires up
Smoke and heat grew

Some must risk their lives
To suffocate the flames
Yet, onward sparks thrived
While rescues worked in waves

From this we can learn
A crisis comes quickly
To all it can burn
Poor, rich, strong or sickly

At first it's subtle
An ember to arise
Then all is crucial
As it's right before our eyes

Gone would be the home
Along with everything
But, perhaps a phone
Which would be the best thing?

With news emerging...
There's a shelter to wait
With homeless merging
They had succumbed to fate

The church springs to aid
So faith will not fade
Food, blankets and water
Midst prayers to Heavenly Father

Faith must be in tact
And organization
All's at risk in fact
A stark realization

--------------

In the promised land
During conference session
Bad news came at hand...
"There's a stuck procession"

The priesthood holders
Gave heed to the prophet
Dropping church folders
They thought not twice of it

Time was against them
To save those pioneers
On the verge of death
They must brave their fears

As the snow drifts stormed
Twas terrible indeed
Yet, rescue teams formed
For those in dier need

In a selfless act
At SweetWater some laved
Their faith was in tact
They carried those they'd saved

When the prophet called
Their love was heroic
To serve no one stalled
Though the waters icy thick

May we not forget
May we act in like kind
Those in dire need fret
And, of those may we find

In conference we hear
What's for our best profit
His message is clear
May we heed our prophet

Give Heed Unto the Prophet's Words
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I've Power to Be

I've power to be
In control of me
To think for myself
Or to find some help

With patience, I'll win
And conquer each sin
For that's why I'm here
To learn what is dear

I have a body
Is that really me?
I was spirit first
Now water, I thirst

I hunger for food
Which effects my mood
In perfect balance
I've gained resistance

To use my body
As a tool for me
What things should I do
For spiritual fuel?

By Virtue of the Word of God

By virtue of the word of God
We are lifted out of a dark fog
To a high place where there's much to see
There to glimpse what's bright and uplifting

May what we read open up our hearts
Where a portion of God's love imparts
May the Holy Ghost leave an imprint
To witness that mercy has been sent

From this viewpoint, it's hard to believe
That we once lived in a world of eve
Just getting by, using borrowed light
Now to bask in warmth and bright sunlight


Alma 31: 5
5 And now, as the preaching of the word
had a great tendency to lead the people
to do that which was just—yea, it had a
more powerful effect upon the minds of the
people than the sword, or anything else,
which had happened unto them—
therefore Alma thought it was expedient
that they should try the virtue of
the word of God.

A Mother's Beauty

A mother's beauty
Lies in her tenderness
Just to look at her
Spreads love and happiness

She can do something
That is just amazing
It's not in the kitchen
Nor is it hair raising

She can sleep lightly
Yet, hear every soft peep
And with eyes still closed
She knows when you're asleep

A Father is Tough

A father is tough
When he needs to be
His voice can be gruff
And not so friendly

He stands for what's right
And fights for justice
He's brave and shows might
When there's an injustice

He's sturdy and kind
A strength to lean on
He's someone to mind
And no one to con

And he gets wiser
Through experience
He's a despiser
Of disobedience

Having a daughter
Gives him a soft heart
When she says Father
His heart skips and starts

When he has a son
He renews hobbies
His chores become fun
Which mother lobbies

Whether girl or boy
They want time with him
His thoughts, they enjoy
But, his time runs thin

His role is to work
He provides so much
Of this he'll not shirk
For a man's made of such

He buys a new tool
It alerts neighbors
They think it is cool
And with him labors

All the Dad's gather
And while they work hard
The children gather
And play in the yard

For where Dad is found
They're set to be too
And when he's around
They've not else to do

But there is more here
Of a Father good
He alone can bear
The holy priesthood

He can bless his home
From child to mother
He'll act in God's name
Our Heavenly Father

He can bless neighbors
From his example
Of all his labors
This one shares ample

Lemons Are Sour

Lemons are sour
Berries are sweet
I will not cower
When trials I meet

Should I leave home?
Or work things out
Where should I roam
What's love's about?

When there's murm'ring
We don't feel love
Our hearts don't sing
Of sweets above

Listing what's good
Brings us to God
With whom we should
Hold as our rod

When we trust Him
And make covenants
Though all looks grim
We, He transplants

Ask in Faith

May the Holy Ghost assist
As we consider meaningful prayer
For when we have faith, we enlist
All of heaven's blessing and care

An example of great faith
Was given to us by young Joseph
Who asked and did not abraid
When he read the first word- if

He believed the words of James
And wanted to know what should be done
With churches of many names
He could not decide on anyone

He went to a grove of trees
And sought prayer after pondering
He humbly expressed his pleas
In him, there was nothing wavering

For faith without works is dead
If there's but one-way interaction
He knew on where his thoughts led
T'wards Jesus Christ and righteous action

When we have increased capacity
Wells of knowledge flow and inspire
To live our lives spiritually
There's power in faith filled desire

A prayer of faith might include
A review of all we've been given
With thoughts based on gratitude
This is the way each prayer should begin

When we pray for missionaries
It also mean we pray to give aid
With faith we will find who carries
A prepared heart with some questions laid

We pray too for the needy
For those who are sick and afflicted
May we do whatever needs be
To show God's love's unrestricted

We each have known anxiety
We can turn to God and petition
When we fear propriety
And become stuck in hesitation

Prayers are consecrated work
Expressed to our Father in Heaven
Prayers of faith require effort
We're not finished when we say "amen"

As we follow this pattern
We are blessed to recognize and act
On the things that we discern
We can seek help to complete our pact

Sometimes prayers may be denied
For we'll not oft receive a witness
Until our faith has been tried
And we increase spiritual fitness

"Not my will, but Thine, be done"
Though hard it is to accept God's will
We can bear as did the Son
In faith, we've prayers of peace that are still

Elder Bednar
Ask in Faith pg 94
May 2008 Ensign


Mark 4: 39
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind,
and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was
a great calm.

James 1: 5-6
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like
a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed.


Ether 12: 6
6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak
somewhat concerning these things;
I would show unto the world that
faith is things which are hoped for
and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not,
for ye receive no witness until after
the trial of your faith.

Fools Mock

Fools mock
But they shall mourn
They talk
And, too, they scorn
But, stop
We must them warn

The weak
Enjoy God's grace
They seek
Him to embrace
They speak
With love in place

Above
God's omniscient
With love
Coefficient
There of
We've sufficient

Ether 12: 26

26 And when I had said this,
the Lord spake unto me, saying:
Fools mock, but they shall mourn;
and my grace is sufficient for the meek,
that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

Who Gladdens the Heart?

Who gladdens the heart
And quickens the mind?
God helps us be smart
And teaches what's kind

Each beauty we see
Each good thing we feel
Helps in some degree
To know that God's real

His love is for all
Wherever we be
His love, too, does fall
Upon all that we see

He's found in the sky
Upon the land and sea
He pleases the eye
And does this freely

We cannot deny
Earth sounds His decree
We hear the sound cry
Repent and be free

For, we should see Him
And live as we're meant
To sing His anthem
Till our days are spent

His redeeming song
Is but full of love
With Him, we'll belong
When we rise above



D&C 59: 18
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth,
in the season thereof,
are made for the benefit and the use of man,
both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

Alma 16: 16
16 And there was no inequality among them;
the Lord did pour out his Spirit
on all the face of the land
to prepare the minds of the children of men,
or to prepare their hearts to receive the word
which should be taught among them
at the time of his coming—


Alma 5: 26
26 And now behold, I say unto you,
my brethren, if ye have experienced a
change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing
the song of redeeming love, I would ask,
can ye feel so now?


Alma 30: 44
44 ...all things denote there is a God;
yea, even the earth, and all things
that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion,
yea, and also all the planets which move
in their regular form do witness
that there is a Supreme Creator.

Of All the Things to Pass Me By

Of all the things to pass me by
I often wonder why me, why?
To not have children, though I try...
And each month, anew, how I cry

Though I've been blessed, and I've been told
My hopes and dreams may soon wax cold
I greatly fear that I'm too old
Why did the promise not unfold?

To not feel sad- I've done my best
This trial of faith has been a test
Although my body does protest
I long for a babe at my breast

Is my unborn crying too?
Is that why I feel so blue?
Surely, I sorrow enough for two!
Meanwhile, I know just what to do

I can live a life rich and full
I can apply myself in school
In God's hands, I can be a tool
For I can live the golden rule

I have so much love that I can give
I have purpose in how I live
I must not blame, I must forgive
I must not question God's motive

Now, I've expressed my deepest thought
The question- I have fought and fought
I'm so thankful my pains Christ bought
For I'm distraught over what I'm not

Please forgive me. It's Mother's Day
This is the mood I fight away
And if you don't know what to say
Please know I might cry anyway

My thoughts must turn to my husband
Together we walk hand in hand
Though we've not lineage like the sand
We can live fully a life that's grand

With Every Feeling in His Heart

With every feeling in his heart
Joseph Smith made a deep connection
Never did more power impart
Than from each word and each inflection

He'd read from James 1: 5-6
And came to a mighty conclusion
That he must do as each word directs
Or feel darkness, lost in confusion

If any of us lack wisdom
Then we must ask of God while in prayer
He's the source where all truth is from
We can know that of us, He's aware

We yield our minds to new insights
As we pour out what we have pondered
And the Holy Spirit highlights
With a confirmation that's rendered

Wickedness never was happiness
With each action, there's consequence
What we have gleaned from righteousness
We must record without hesitance

Within our hearts, we must maintain
Powerful teachings that guide our day
Blessings that we want to obtain
Come from obedience and our faith

My thoughts from
Yielding Our Hearts to God
Spencer J. Condie
BYU Devotional address
August 22, 1995

We Should Heed and Beware

We should heed and share
What the prophets declare
Offering obedience
While pondering much in prayer

When calamities hit
An emergency kit
With all that is inside
Will be of great benefit

We can store varied food
Enough to feed our brood
All within a budget
As over time it is accrued


Don't forget H 2 O
Two thirds in us must flow
And dry mix we must stow
Because, you never know

We'll also need some heat
To prepare what we will eat
Learning how to use our wheat
Will make our task complete

The Sun Shines Through a Window

The sun shines through a window
That's shiny and bright
There, heaven's blessings flow
It's a beautiful sight

And the window opens wide
When we pay our tithing
Yet some hoard away and hide
When God would to be giving

Let's give the Lord our best
Though of our faith it test
For stabilities quest
It's our insurance nest

When the lone sparrow falls
Our Father hears its calls
Prayers go beyond our walls
Its only us who stalls

Our Dear Father provides
We have support that guides
And the greatest blessings resides
Where obedience sides

The Jaredite Barges

The Jaredite barges
Tight like a dish
Crossed the great waters
Like unto a fish

With small plugs for air
And rocks to give light
They soon departed
For their wondrous flight

To a promised land
Where they could be free
And all the day long
They were found praising

Jesus, the Master, Publishes Peace

Jesus, the Master, the publisher of peace
Has proven to the imprisoned, He can release
What would it take for all world wars to cease?
But a trust in Him with obedience increased

We have wars and rumors of wars
With countries closing and opening doors
Continually world news carries what-ifs and ors
Where all around one hears of what clamours

For as the faith of mankind becomes more pale
The hearts of some harden and fail
Yet, some find God's the missing detail
And open up to Christ to prevail

There to know compassion where e'er calamity descends
That with voluntary efforts, much aid is prepared and sent
For as approaching signs show that the world will come to an end
We desire to show God's offer of peace is ever present

When Conditions Seem to Be Futile

When conditions are extremely brutal
And it seems our best efforts are futile
We still have so much to be thankful for
We've our life, family and we have much more

We must put our focus on all that's good
And on doing all that we know we should
We're given but what we can control
We have been blessed and our worth is untold

Suppress That

Suppress that anger and jealousy
Do not give in to the enemy
The spirit is injured as long chains grow
Till much of our liberty begins to go

The best inside of us can cave to entices
To a point we have virtues or we have vices
Our appetites are strengths that take us farther
Do not gormandize what comes from our Father

Hard drinks, each has an appetite for itself
Once deprived, it is an enemy to oneself
Healthy passions perpetuate joy and life
Prostitute them, you will soon have sin and strife

The whole lesson is that of subduing
To conquer pride will be our best doing
In our day of spiritual renaissance
There are established tools for best resistance

Surrender to God

In meekness and pain

He is all we've got

To become wholly sane

One of the three forms of temptations:
Temptation of the appetite or passion
my thoughts from reading
Pathways to Happiness
discourses of David O. McKay

In Each, There's Traits

In each, there's traits
We look upon
And then pick at
All too often

Our fellow man
Has tendencies
Some good, some bad
In frequencies

Let's praise the good
In everyone
We know we should
We've light grandsome

There is evil
That's all around
And some revile
Though good is found

Of conditions
We can speak up
With position
We'll rise above

Accentuate
The positive
And actuate
How best to live

Our society
Needs improvement,
Propriety
And agreement

There Are Feeling in the Breast That Cannot Be Expressed

There are feelings in the breast
That cannot be expressed
But, with music, then perhaps...
As to the past, we lapse

A familiar melody
Hummed so very softly
Brings back to us memories
Of childhoods' life of ease

Of when Mother sang to me
When I was just past three
I can almost hear her voice
And find my eyes turn moist

The many years she's been gone
Must add up on and on
But, oh, how I love her so
Her song forever flows

Even After Mother is Gone

Even after mother is gone
Her influence remains
As her labor is never done
The memory of her sustains

Her children must fill their lives
With what pays her tribute
Sons as husbands, daughters as wives
Her love, they distribute...
As they in turn contribute

Shall We Not Cry, When There's a Passing

Shall we not cry,
When there's a passing
Shall we not sigh,
With eyes downward casting

In the fresh grave
Now rests a dear loved one
Whom Christ does save
For each man, He has won

Death is a journey
Through an unseen thin veil
Where e'er we be
With Him, we will not fail

We Can Pay Tribute, As Did Christ

We can pay tribute, as did Christ
He showed complete obedience
When He was to be sacrificed
There was no regret or grievance

Soon the whole earth, He would ransome
He paid tribute to His mother
She contributed what He'd become
As she loved Him, like no other

He wanted Mary protected
Some of His last thoughts were of her
So she would not feel dejected
To look upon John, he offered

We all need someone to live for
Someone that we'd not disappoint
Someone who does not ask for more
Yet, their belief in us does annoint