He's Been There Before by Elder Whittle

The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companion's bedding and pull off his sheets

A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago, I was able to shut my eyes
The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much

"We have a super day planned,"
My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath,
"Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?"
The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"

"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through,
When we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,
He's been there before!

By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

Isn't this the best poem?  Some missionaries suggested I put it on my blog.  Of course, they're on bikes.

I've Found a Message of Hope

Dear Fellow codependents,
I know you are at a loss
You seek your independence
But, your poor waif you can't toss

I've found a message of hope
That I would like to share
There is a way to cope
There is someone who cares

Our Father offers mercy
As He extends His grace
To those who are thirsty
There's knowledge to embrace

We can help one another
To choose more of what's right
Habits changed for another
Make burdens become light

As we respect agency
And allow consequence
Our poor waif is then set free
To search for new guidance

This process may take a while
For a full recovery
As sins make quite a pile
And they need uncovering

With loving understanding
We'll let our poor waif fall
While we step back still standing
As to them we will call

"Dear waif, we can't fix problems
Nor do we have advice
We do have ears that listen
In a program that's nice"

"There are others just like you
And together we can cry
You will learn of hope too
The offer's there to try"

The 12th step is to serve others
and be a light...

I Hungered, In the Past

I hungered, in the past
And nothing satisfied
Each fulfillment didn't last
Now, I'm fed and dignified

Through prayer and meditation
I can seek to know the Lord's will
To achieve my destination
There's power to help me fulfill

My hearts desire is for love
Which I feel when I pray
May I give thanks to God above
For all that has come my way

In the morning, the Lord comes first
I'll start the day with gratitude
And, too I'll quench my thirst
Through study and solitude

For, in my mind and in my heart
Thoughts and feelings come to me
With strong impressions, I can start
To become the very best me.

And when this does not seem enough
I'll fast so faith will increase
For, the seas of life can be rough
And, I want to feel His sweet peace

We Can All Benefit- By Looking Deep Inside

For the entire membership of the Church
General Conference is an inspiring time of the year
As we're instructed and edified
We learn how to act upon the laws we hold dear

Great things are happening in God's kingdom
We are moving forward as never before
The great mountain will fill the whole earth
And if we are righteous, we'll see so much more


We can all benefit by looking deep inside
During reverent moments of worship
To be proved true, there's nothing we will hide
As we journey in our membership

Each Sunday's a spiritual checkup
That helps navigate life's highways and byways
During sacrament meetings while we sup
We can get our bearings and see the right ways

To stay on the narrow path of faith
With the Bishop, we've worthiness interviews
Have we pursued what's foolish or vain?
It's easy to get diverted from what is true

Truth provides virtues unto our lives
Steadfast, loyal, honest, and just are but a few
In our career paths, as one strives
We must not serve two masters, but always be true

With full faith in their every footstep
The pioneers forged and tempered their souls
Without the Lord, they would be inept
May we too be true, in all of our roles

Elder Wirthlin - General Conference April 1997

D&C 59: 23
23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.

The More I Repent, The More I Know

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

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

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

I'll Be Daily Accountable

I'll be daily accountable
And take a personal inventory
For it would be regrettable
To let my growth become history

When I do something that is wrong
I'll quickly admit it and step back
I will evaluate and become strong
To maintain, I must fill in each crack

I will not let temptation take hold
Denial and complacency are no more
My feelings and thoughts must be told
My change of heart must build and store

I will stay myself and wonder
Am I patient, long suff'ring, and gentle?
That when I perchance make a blunder
Can I be temperate and humble?

I will watch for pride in all of its forms
I will promptly seek for release
I will humbly petition the Lord
That my strength through him might increase

Alma 7: 23
23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
Mosiah 4: 30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

Is There Restitution?

Is there restitution
That I might make?
With a resolution
I'll wrong sins and awake

I'll seek for a gift
It's called charity
And others I'll lift
Without variety

With Christ's perfect love
I'll cast off my fears
Make prayers to above
And right the past years

Who Have I Hurt?

Who have I hurt?
How can I confess?
When I was curt
While I was obsessed

Did they speak to me?
Did I even hear?
I was wrecked in a sea
With waves hard to clear

Those dependant
On me for their care
Weren't they important?
Did my neglect give them scare?

The messy house
So disorganized
Whose needs did I douse?
Have I apologized?

Who do I now avoid
For any reason?
Whatevers been destroyed
I'll pray o'er in due season

Without Any Other Motivation- But a Desire to Be One in Heart

Without any other motivation
But, a desire to be of one in heart
We let go of manipulation
So that healing within can then start

With total humility
And nothing held back
While searching for dignity
By not covering another's slack

We then pray for His grace
To help maintain our new life
Without shame there's much we can face
And it's easier to strive

And at the foremost is patience
As we press forward in Christ
We give much to show obedience
To learn more of His sacrifice

Our soul can fill with joy
That far exceeds the pain
There is so much to enjoy
There is so much to gain

Through total dependence
Without reservation
We allow consequence
Of our Lord's expectations

We believe more in God
And with faith, pray to Him
We hold to His rod
And sing praises in hymns

When we put, but God first
All else falls into place
What makes us our worst
Will drop out, now replaced!

The demands of our time
The interests we pursue
Ask we prioritize
And make changes for new

Having a remission of sins
Yields a sweet peace of conscience
Our joy in the Lord brims
And we treasure the experience

The Great Commandment—Love the Lord
Ezra Taft Benson
Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
Gospel Library > Magazines > Ensign > May 1988

Oh, How I Want a Change of Heart

Oh, how I want a change of heart
And, to give up my character flaws
I know now is the best time to start
As my past still threatens with claws

To all outward appearances I've changed
But, I don't like how I react and cope
Although with my past I've estranged
I still carry around a long rope

And, tied to the rope, I'll admit
Is worry and fretful living
And Oh how I wish that would quit
So, more from my heart I'd be giving

For I'll not avoid those who have needs
Out of fear that I will enable
To be like the Savior, one feeds
Compassion does not disable

For we all are in need of fellowship
There Christ dwells more in our hearts
As we enhance our membership
And, together the spirit imparts

I've help to put off the natural man
And become a Saint through the atonement
With the Lord's help, I know who I am
And, with a new heart, I've contentment

D&C 50:40-42
40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

I Fully Admit

I fully admit
As now I can see
I've ignored God's promptings
And, I've been deceived

And I have uncovered
For one last recounting
Why all my thoughts hovered
When my problems were mounting

Simply put, I was stuck
In the same thoughts each day
Then, this thought struck
That I forgot to pray

My life was centered
On a false God
Now as I venture
I hold to the rod

There, in His word
He speaks to me
And now that I've heard
Those stuck thoughts flee

With a Written Inventory

With a written inventory
All the havoc adds up
Every lie and sad story
Has overfilled my cup

This is about me
And why I rescue
When others would flee
I help all askew

Each time I relapse
It's embarrassing
But, I'll not collapse
Or give in to harassing

I will hold my head up
With celestial self esteem
And with the Lord I will sup
For I've joined on His team

I Have Decided

I have decided
To turn over my will
With God, I am guided
And, I've His peace to be still

In the past, I trusted
And, then I took it back
Now, I'm forward thrusted
With God's will, for alone I lack

When my poor waif calls
And asks for charity
I'll surrender to prayer's halls
And ask for clarity

I'll put on new glasses
And see with new eyes
And when my waif passes
I'll see through old lies

I'll trust and obey
And be consistent
It's not my job to save
I can be insistent

I Want to Have Faith- Hope

I want to have faith
That restores sanity
But, what of my waif
For whom I feel pity?

I feel so anxious
And, also guilty
Could it be callous
To change loyalty?

In chaos, where's hope?
I know I must pray
To loosen this rope
Till it then goes away

I'll pray and endure
And surrender my aid
For this is my cure
As to my Lord, my waif is now laid

waif- a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

Some How I've Lost Control

Some how I've lost control
And I live in drama
With fear, I've vowed my role
To an addicts dogma

I'm afraid of conflict
And accept all the lies
But, oh how they constrict
As, my pocket book buys

If I were more honest
I would fight for my worth
But, I am powerless
And, my faith is in dearth

Dearth-an insufficient quantity or number
noun: an acute insufficiency

The Word of Wisdom

The word of wisdom is a law of health
It is greater than any kind of wealth
As when it's obeyed there is peace and rest
And when it's not- addictions contest

No tea or coffee or alcohol, too
Or drugs if a doctor would not approve
These are harmful, as well as tobacco.
These are the things to which we must say, "No!"

The Lord declares that some things are good
Eat vegetables and fruits with prudence, we should
The beasts and the fowls we should try to spare
As for our bodies, grains give the best care

These words of wisdom come with promise
There's treasures of knowledge when we're not amiss
We're not weary to run nor are we faint
Destroying angels pass by those known as a Saint

Yet, there is a law, that of opposition
That causes many to face a temptation
Some form habits to a controlling substance
But, through the Lord's grace there lies resistance

To resist temptation you must beware
The path to freedom requires much meek prayer
Heavenly Father wants for you to be so blessed
He will give you more strength- of this we attest

Thoughts from reading "True to the Faith"
A Gospel Reference

My Words Never Cease

Those who choose to do so can inquire
And know that God's words never cease
His holy words- Oh, how through desire
They inspire our hearts to increase

For through revelation's mandate
Inspired scriptures must unveil
If God's words did not update
The growth of mankind would soon fail

The plagues of Revelations
States we cannot add upon that book
Through well known investigations
We can prove the path those words took

The belief in closed canon
Would eliminate Jude
The three Epistles of John
And His Gospel, it too would exclude!

None were to corrrect this one volume
Where John wrote this last passage
With God we are not left to assume
For He's given us a Latter-Day vantage

Gone the contest of opinions
Man is not left to wander
And when we need to make decisions
Man knows he can read, pray, and ponder

There's a light upon us that shines
And we know that God does exist
He is living, vibrant, and divine
He's restored the gospel and does assist

He is the final authority
He gives constant flowing reminders
And we must pray to Him with humility
As it's only our lack of faith that hinders

May we continually sup
Through prophets with whom He now speaks
There's a well of water that's springing up
So we can drink deeply from words that never cease

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
April 6, 2008 Conference
"My Words... Never Cease"

Revelation 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Moses 1: 4
4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.

I Know What I Feel

I know what I feel
I’ve a light inside me
And I know that it’s real
For it helps me to see

Where did it come from?
Can I keep it also?
The Holy Ghost’s won
When we seek what to know

When I’m baptized new
And doing as I should
It is received through
The holy priesthood

I've this extra light
To warn me of sin
My guide that's bright
Warms me from within

What of my loved ones?
Can they search for this too?
A warm feeling comes
When I ask what to do


Elder Robert D. Hales
Out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light

Poems Based on Talks by Todd D. Christofferson

Sanctification and Justification

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



We Look to the Apostles

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

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

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

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

A Sense of the Sacred

I sense what is sacred
While in God's holy house
With quiet shoes, I tread
Wearing hose, skirt and blouse

Not to seem of stature
But, clothed to revere God-
I'm His, it's my nature
To groom without facade

Holiness to the Lord
It reads on the temple
I'll avoid what's abhorred
His home, I'll not trample

I'll not be immodest,
Sloppy or casual
I want to be impressed
With what is spiritual

And, on His holy day
I'll wear my Sunday best
In a way it does say
I'm thankful, and I'm blessed

I want to look the part
As a Latter-Day Saint
His spirit feels my heart
And, it cannot be restrained

Some things deserve respect
As well as some events
I've reverence for our Prophet
As, our Lord, he represents

I've also reverence for
The scriptures, they're God's word
I use them, they're not ignored
When He speaks, He should be heard

The day I was baptized
Everyone dressed with care
And the day was more apprised
From this reverence they did share

As I became washed clean
As the newest member
As a new Saint I am seen
And I dress to remember

I choose to walk with grace
In our Savior's footsteps
As I long to see His face
I'll abide in His precepts

And as I practice reverence...
Some things are so sacred
Words... in a trust that is immense
...In my heart they're kept instead


Elder D. Todd Christofferson
A Sense of the Sacred
CES November 7, 2004

The Light and Life is Without End

The Light and Life is without end
And the night is now far spent
The day's at hand of our Lord
As His marvelous light shines forth

In Bethlehem, a light was shown
And a promise was fulfilled
It did not end when Christ did groan
Nor will it ever be stilled

The restoration has begun
That His Glory might be seen
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun
Out bursts forth marvelous light beams

Unto all the ends of the earth
The good shepherd tends His sheep
In their own tongue He is heard
As they awake from a deep sleep

Let us cast off works of darkness
And each become a disciple
Armoured to endure hardness
We shine the light of the gospel



Robert D. Hales
"Out of Darkness
Into His Marvelous Light"
Ensign, May 2002

Romans 13:11-12
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

The Darkness Dispels

The darkness dispels
There is beauty that's bright
And all else soon pales
To the beautiful sight

Glorious and risen
Stands our God and His Son
The world now glistens
In this, our dispensation

When we do what's wrong
The day turns into night
But it won't stay for long
If we do what is right

We've the Light and the Life
From our Brother, Jesus
He knows of our strife
And He is there for us

Those who've been baptized
Have a gift that's a shield
Satan's tricks cannot hide
Amongst a brightened field

Evil can't conquer
If we choose what yields light
We've light from our Brother
To see light through the night

Robert D. Hales
"Out of Darkness
Into His Marvelous Light"
Ensign, May 2002

Burning Bright For Our Day

Burning bright for our day

We've the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Through the priesthood it is laid

Upon those baptized, it is bestowed

To show our change of heart

There are covenants we must make

And for our new life to start

We must weekly then re-partake

We've Christ's name and His spirit

And we've learned of Him much thus

We must be worthy to hear and bear it

We must strive to be like Jesus

The opportunity has been laid

For the greatest down to the least

To enter the gate, Christ has paid

And there is much on which to feast

The Holy Ghost will guide and teach

We're so blessed that in us it dwells

For deep in our hearts, it can reach

And from just one small seed it then swells

Elder Robert D. Hales
Out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light

We Have a Light That is Strong

We have holy light that is strong
To steer us from Babylon
If we use our heart, might, mind and strength
Though dimness surrounds, we've light at length

There are some who live in the dark mists
And are missing true happiness
Those blind, who have been led away
Will say they knew not till that day

After death there is a bright light
Of what's beyond some have had sight
There is brightness to prepare for
After we die- we know there is more

Robert D. Hales
"Out of Darkness
Into His Marvelous Light"
Ensign, May 2002

We Cannot Save the Air We Breathe- So Too We Can't Save Light

We cannot save the air we breathe
From the world we can't be sheathed
So too, we cannot save daylight
As daily we must face the night

Without faith, we stumble along
And do many things that are wrong
The adversary would to come in
And make us stagger,drunk in sin

Evil is never far away
And wants for us darkness night and day
From the narrow path, it's any corner
And, we're often found the mourner

The light of the spirit can fade
If we don't stay engaged
Alone, the strength we lack
Darkness must be pushed back

A generator on a bike
Through effort can light the night
As too, the gospel is applied
God's holy spirit is supplied

As the Holy Ghost is received
It helps us to not be deceived
The more we search, ponder, and pray
We'll become bright for that perfect day

Elder Robert D. Hales
"Out of Darkness into
His Marvelous Light"
Ensign, May 2002

Brought Forth Out of Darkness

Brought forth out of darkness
Into His marvelous light
As each man does discern
How to do more of what's right

The Lord's temple stands tall
In the top of the mountains
With light it beacons all
To flow unto His fountains

Out of obscurity
We see brightly lit spires
Which proclaim purity
As to all it inspires

There's a light in our eyes
And a warmth in our hands
In the gospel there lies
Love, the soul understands

As it lights fires within
We come to recognize the source
As we journey from sin
We're on a beautiful course

We've each the Light of Christ
That we've brought with us to earth
To do good, it invites
Unto a light of great worth

Given to burn within us-
The Gift of the Holy Ghost-
Testifies of Jesus
When we're baptized, it's bestowed

As part of the Godhead
This spirit of personage
Guides us, spiritually led
T'wards the day when we're judged

Elder Robert D. Hales
"Out of Darkness into
His Marvelous Light"
Ensign, May 2002

Isaiah 2:2
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

D&C 1:30
30 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—

Micah 4: 1
1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

With Reverence

With a heart full of reverence
I have come offering repentance
Amidst much contemplation
I avow rededication

How I need the sacrament
May I feel Thine atonement
Help me to grow in strength
To endure to the end at length

My road's been long and winding
In keeping covenants, binding
When I set off without Thee Lord
There are hard bends and discord

To the last drop, Thou knows me
And of every short coming
I'm in need of Thy protection
Thy spirit and correction

My heart's full of love, for Thee;
For all Thou has done for me!
On this day so full of rest
I hold these thoughts in my breast

On the Night Before His Crucifixion

On the night before His crucifixion
The Savior offered the sacrament
Loving symbols not cruel depictions
As He explained to them what both meant

He the bread of life would soon be broken
His suff'ring and death would give us life
The living water of which He'd spoken
Required He feel all our sins and strife

We have each taken upon us His name
Now we've come to renew our covenants
To be pronounced clean and to obtain
The measure of His spirit He grants

With contrite spirit and solemnity
May we partake of each symbol
With our hearts filled with humility
May we express to Him- We're thankful

Poems Based on Talks by Elder Perry

I am surrounded by worldliness.
What is popular is abjectness.
How can I avoid what is not good?
How can I become all that I should?
When all I hear is profane, how do I stay sane?
The Holy Ghost, my companion, helps me to maintain.
May I ever be mindful of this precious gift,
As there's music to my ear that gives me a lift.
Through the blessed hymns I feel the love of Jesus.
The comforter helps me to be more courageous.
I can be bold just like Joseph Smith.
And call out for them to cease forthwith.

I am surrounded by worldiness.
What is popular is abjectness.
How can I avoid what is not good?
How can I become all that I should?
When all I see is obscene, how do I not look?
The Holy Ghost, my companion, helps me through a book.
May I ever be mindful of this precious gift,
Full of hope and charity which gives me a lift.
Through the blessed words I feel the love of Jesus.
The comforter helps me to be more courageous.
I can be bold like another Joseph.
When someone tried to tempt him- he just fled.

- Elder Perry

30–33, Jul 2007, L. Tom Perry,
“Thy Speech Reveals Thee, ” Liahona


Give Heed Unto the Word of the Lord


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

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

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

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

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

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


Give Heed Unto the Voice of the Lord

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

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

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

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Wonderful Recipe

The gospel of Jesus Christ
Is a wonderful recipe
For salvation and eternal life
To become what we're meant to be

The perfect dishes we see
In a joyfilled cookbook lend
A promise for following
The steps from the start to end

Every ingredient is used
From the instructions contained
And, as the flavors infuse
The desired taste is attained

If the rules are mistaken
Or if we miscalculate
The proper care is not taken
And once it's cooked- it's too late

Still, looking at the picture
There's motivation to try again
For its promise does assure
What is created in the end

When we think of eternal life
We should have a clear and true vision
We'd then yearn, no matter the strife
To work towards the goal of our mission

With faith in Jesus Christ
And in the atonement
We're baptized in this life
To do as we were meant

But, first we must repent
To have the Holy Ghost
For us it has been lent
And, how we need this host!

Cleansing water begins
Our purification
And the Spirit then lends
The best education

Doing as God commands
We have entered His gate
And made binding covenants
While the world we forsake

In the name of Jesus Christ
We walk the narrow path
With a newness of life
T'wards all the Father hath

With Christ-like service to man
We reach the fatherless and widows
By preaching His gospel we can
To others open heaven's windows

Repenting from moment to moment
We're humble and show remorse
And, too we take the sacrament
As we endure along the course

As a member we're a part
Of the body of Christ
Each with a role we're to play
On the path to eternal life

We pray and fast; and we read
From the Holy scriptures
There's exceeding joy indeed
From the visions the spirit pictures

Elder L. Tom Perry
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Ensign, May 2008, 44

However Long, However Painful

However long
However painful
We will be proved strong
For this I am thankful

The Lord's written
Laws for mind and hearts
The weak, smitten
Find repentance starts

Mists of darkness
Deepen day by day
Walk in meekness
And learn how to pray

Once repentant
There's protection from
The moral environment
Where temptations come

May we know merit,
God's love, and blessings
Being filled with spirit,
His hands confessing

In life's hardest battles
Prisoners are confined
They've not escaped sin's labels
And hopeless, they're resigned

There is a key
To open a gate
For those turning
To make a clean slate

They'll now succeed
As those forgiven
God's power does exceed
The leagues of Satan

From varied sins
Even those hard core
The Lord can cleanse
Till sins are no more

To sorrowing parents
Who have lost control
Believe in repentance
Where we are cleansed whole

Once their debts are paid
And they have suffered
Providence to them is laid
From sealings offered

The sealed family's
Everlasting tie
Is promised eternities
This hell can't deny

We should have faith
Hope on and trust on
We cannot grow faint
Before a bright dawn

Wayward children will return
From which fount they sprang
Though we've torment while they learn...
God's kingdom will reign!

Those who pollute
The fountains of life
(Let no man of this dispute)
They'll know intense strife

We're God's offspring
We keep general laws
And, for happiness to ring
We need to heed His "nots"

Those who will tempt
Act on center stage
They think they're exempt
Because it's the rage

This is our plague
As sin's been disrobed
In this fog- God's seen as vague
And His laws aren't probed

Who will persuade
This generation
To follow the path Christ laid
With dedication?

An Apostle
Has full credentials
And each knows it's possible
To overcome Satan's pulls

If those who sin
Could see Christ's sorrow
Oh, what pain they'd have within
What counsel they would borrow
To start new tomorrow

What Shall I do?

What shall I do
With the gospel truth?
I've humbly learned
My hard heart has turned

Now is my day
To bow and to pray
Where to begin?
I'll cast away sin

I have been taught
I've wrestled and fought
I will be bold
And share what's been told

I am reborn
Now I must forewarn
To hearts astir
I will minister

I'll share my joy
That all may enjoy
I will proclaim
And speak in His name

This I will do
Till my days are through
Inside my breast
There is peace and rest

Alma 22:15-16
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

As sure As the Lord Liveth

As sure as the Lord lives
I know what is true
I must rise in my motives
There is much I must do

I have a small portion
Of God's light within
I must stay bright and not shun
To one day live with Him


Alma 23: 6
6 And as sure as the Lord liveth,
so sure as many as believed,
or as many as were brought
to the knowledge of the truth,
through the preaching of Ammon
and his brethren,
according to the spirit of revelation
and of prophecy, and the power of God
working miracles in them—
yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth,
as many of the Lamanites as believed
in their preaching, and were converted
unto the Lord, never did fall away.

Consciousness of Guilt

When Zeezrom was caught in his lies
He'd consciousness of his guilt
And Satan did not support his cries
As truths against him were built

He stood silently and trembling
As one inspired read his thoughts
With multitudes now assembling
Alma revealed what were his plots

Zeezrom thought he'd a subtle plan
As with Satan, he'd deceive
From just one lie it began...
He would get those righteous to leave

Alma prophetically declared
And his words were heard by all
"Satan desires to ensnare"
And "God knows all thoughts, great and small"

Once we're captive in Satan's chains
Though hardness grows in our breast
We've feeling of troubled pangs
For, those who revile know no rest

Conversely, the Lord's spirit guides
Those who promote goodness and peace
In them His spirit resides
As love in their hearts does increase

Zeezrom presented some questions
No longer consumed with hate
He declared his confessions
As now he was concerned with his fate

Alma taught the soul cannot die
And we will be judged after death
The condemned will want to but hide
In the earth cracks to a dark depth

Now... while we're in this mortal life
We've our time of probation
We can obey though there's strife
And work towards our salvation.

Now is each man's time to prepare
We should not procrastinate
We should repent with great care
Or we will know an awful state

Zeezrom's past had been powerful
He'd helped the judges be strong
Now led by those deceitful
Everything became e'en more wrong

As the righteous were forced to flee
Zeezrom's mind took to burning
From his lies this came to be
To repent, there's more than turning

He supposed Alma was no more
He knew his sins were to blame
He'd pangs exceedingly sore
As news of more death his way came

For many people had been burned
They would not deny their faith
Oh, the joy when he then learned
That dear Alma had remained safe

As his words more than led astray
How could Zeezrom make things right?
He must show a better way
He must repent and be baptized

Alma 12: 1
1 Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek
had silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek
had caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy
him, and seeing that he began to tremble under a
consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth
and began to speak unto him, and to establish the
words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond,
or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which
Amulek had done.
Alma 14: 6
6 And it came to pass that Zeezrom was
astonished at the words which had been spoken;
and he also knew concerning the blindness
of the minds, which he had caused among the
people by his lying words; and his soul began to be
harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt;
yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell.

Happy Father's Day

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

Hands

Hands

Jesus spoke in parables
So we could understand
He helps us in our troubles
That we will know first hand

For He draws things in the sand

He spoke of the body, too
The foot, nose, back, side, and face
He spoke of what hands can do
And someday Him, we'll embrace

We’ll witness what's pierced and trace…

The most difficult to paint
Of all the human body
The hand is hard to create
To study, capture and embody

Whether babe soft or grown knobby

To place the small in the large
Is the tenderest of sights
Love and trust are put in charge!
And one feels life's sweet delights

Oh, to have small fingers grasping tight!

The sentiments of such love
Should arouse fidelity
A babe giv'n from God above
Is a small package of fragility

And we've a responsibility

When those hands start to grow up
They must learn to be engaged
They can use a measuring cup
And serve both the young and aged

There lies love that can't be waged

Then comes the day they've grown
On each, a finger - a ring
A pledge made that is their own
Sealed as one to cling

At the alter - love's offering

Time passes... hands now of a mother
Bathing, dressing, and feeding
She will serve like no other
Her baby's ever needing

She gives training while leading

Time passes... hands now of a father
His hands support the family
He's unafraid of labor
Oft it provides, but scantily

He'll express thanks happily

In each of the parents hands
Is a sweet willingness to give,
They'll sacrifice their own plans
For each child's future yet to live

With love, their highest motive

And, amidst all these years
Have been unseen hands knocking
Ministering to tears
With or without their spotting

Available for the asking

Thomas S. Monson
"Hands", Aug 1990
Ensign

Testimony

We discover much from how we feel
We gather wisdom from what we see
There is one more way that is just as real
It is a spiritual witnessing
And, to the learner it means a great deal

It's the Holy Ghost reaching our soul
Though to the natural man it can't be learned
Into our mind and heart God's truths are told
There to be received and then discerned
It often grows as to others it's burned

A testimony of gospel facts
Cannot be sold or even preached
It's a gift borne of out of certain acts
To the humble seeker, it is reached
Oft come when in prayer one has beseeched

The young Joseph Smith learned from God this way
He bore testimony of a great light
Shown to him after he had knelt to pray
Then Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
Came before his eyes with much to say
And this was the miracle, from his faith

That was his testimony, what of ours?
How can we come to know what he said is true?
First, desire then sincere prayer empowers
Sometimes included is fasting too
Then there's patience, process, and bearing it new

There is much we can do to help it grow
What's at our core so testimonies aren't weak?
An assurance of God's love- we need to know
That we have a Savior kind, pure and meek
And, that the Holy Ghost can dwell and speak

There's more to have His spirit with us
We must partake of the sacrament
And, not be ashamed to speak of Jesus
Some have a gift for direct obtainment
And we can learn through their discernment

We've each a gift and a path to God
And we're each different as the sands of the sea
Yet, the Holy Ghost speaks to all through a rod
Where the deaf can hear and the blind can now see
We've much to do and we've help to be

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Ensign, June 2008
"Testimony"

Achievement- Learning and Living the gospel

I am like a bear
Cuddly, soft, and sweet
My nose knows just where
Good foods are to eat

Like him, I can look
For good nourishment
In a quad sized book
I've God's testament
---------------------
I am like a bear
Cuddly, soft and sweet
There's much that we share
Like the foods that we eat

milk, I can drink....
But, I will look for meat
When I read, I link
And spiritually feast
------------------------
I can hunt through and read
the scriptures there to  find
God's words truly does feed 
the spirit and the mind

This was a nice activity for our combined summer group.
They each brought their scriptures and a teddy bear or stuffed animal. When they came in, they picked out a ribbon to put on their bear. (Some of the bears were boys)They introduced themselves and their bear and (some were adopted and named on the spot) something special about it. Then we had a prayer.

I asked questions about bears in the garden of Eden, why we could play with them. And that we will be able to when Jesus comes and we enjoy the millennium. I asked questions about what they eat, how they find it and what ways we are similar to bears. We made bookmarks. Then we talked about what the scriptures do for our spirits and that food is mentioned a lot in the scriptures and how we are nourished when we read.
Then we played a scripture hunt. (like bears) First I told them to start with 4 colors, and to write in that color, where the scriptures talked about things on the list. We had two teams and they tried to find a scripture with each of the words. I made sure that they knew the four books to look in -Book of Mormon, Old Testament, New Testament and Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price.
Feast
Eat
Drink
Sweet
Nourish
Salt
Bitter
Meat
Honey
Olives
Grapes
Fig
Wheat
Grain
Manna
Fruit
milk
Seed
Mustard
Partake
Fish
Corn
Bread
Satisfying
Filling
Vine
Tree of life
Tree of knowledge of good and evil
Fed
Feed
Festival
Banquet
delicious

Then we ended with prayer and some sweet strawBEARies

Gen. 1: 29-3029 ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you
every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face
of all the earth, and every tree, in the which
is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it
shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth,
and to every fowl of the air, and to
every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
wherein there is life, I have given every green
herb for meat: and it was so.

1 Cor. 3: 22 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat:
for hitherto ye were not able to bear it,
neither yet now are ye able.
Heb. 5: 1212 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which
be the first principles of the oracles of God;
and are become such as have need of milk,
and not of strong meat.
D&C 89 Word of Wisdom
Moroni. 6: 4
4 And after they had been received unto baptism,
and were wrought upon and cleansed by
the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered
among the people of the church of Christ;
and their names were taken, that they might be
remembered and nourished by the good word of God,
to keep them in the right way, to keep them
continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone
upon the merits of Christ, who was the author
and the finisher of their faith.

Shall We Not Be Witnesses of faith?

Shall we not be witnesses of faith?
As we press on steadfast, unafraid
With our burden cast upon our Lord
How can we not find peace restored?

Shall we not be found immovable?
As we build upon a rock that's strong
With faith on Christ that's unshakable
We stand - steadfast where we belong

He Took Bread and Gave Thanks

He took bread and gave thanks
As He spoke to edify
With the dead He'd join the ranks
Though betrayed, He'd not defy

He taught of remembrance
And they partook of the bread
As a sacred ordinance
Then He spoke of what He'd shed...

In a cup, He poured drink
He spoke of His testament
And then did their hearts sink?
As they thought of what He meant

May we too now partake
And ponder the sacrament
All our sins to forsake
May we be proved repentant

We witness, we have faith
That sins are removable
As we heed what He saith
May we be immovable

Luke 22
19 ¶ And he took bread, and gave thanks,
and brake it, and gave unto them, saying,
This is my body which is given for you:
this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you.

With Broken Bread and a Small Cup

With broken bread and a small cup

We do remember

And bear the name and spirit of

A God-Head member

Too, we observe the Holy Ghost

Our gift- to lead us aright

As with a broken heart, we witness

That in truth we are contrite

Then, repentant and clean

We can hurtle

Challenges to receive

Life eternal

The Pain Was Striking and Intense

The pain was striking and intense
As Christ bore all our sins
With love as an offering
He was crushed in suffering

His agony, underscored,
Not one sorrow was ignored
He sweat blood from every pore
As He taught us what love's for

He heard cries of the innocent
With hands clenched, His heart wrenched
Then in frightful moments fought
All of Satan's darkest thoughts

His disciples lent no support
In sleep, they'd not watchkeep
He was tried and proved our Lord
Let's not weary, we're His sheep

A prayer engaged and delicate
Fleets to the advocate-
Our needs, He discriminates
And with God, He mediates

How can we not remember prayer?
All our pains, He can bear
He knows what we are in need of
As He sends forth love from above

Through His grace comes tender mercy,
Which proves He is discerning

The Moving of the Water

A moving of the water
Caused by an angel that dipped
Healed the first one to enter
As unseen hands to head slipped

A gathering of the infirm
Await the water's stir
Whose turn to wash and be healed?
Before the waters stilled
----------------------
Impaired in body or mind
This sprinkling of mankind
Cannot care for themselves
And depend on someone else

Those who are in the family
Feel the blame guiltily
That it's a result of sin
But, this is false doctrine

As Jesus passed a blind man
He taught of handicaps
He said of nature's sovereign
God's manifest in them

Don't ridicule or discard
What nature disregards
The infirm are innocent
And, not all ignorant

If we laugh at their expense
Let there be recompense
Those who mimic a palsy
May they fall, soon, where all see

Oh, that we were afflicted
With blindness inflicted
And not see imperfection
Then we'd know perfection

We should become like angels
Who move and water swells
By one act that we perform
We heal what's in deform

Our spirits are locked in flesh
And not always well they mesh
We all need sympathy
Kind love, and empathy

Lest we die prematurely
We'll need some aid, surely
Let our works make an account
For when our needs too will mount

When we resurrect one day
We will look a new way
Like the pool of Bethesda
We will see the real pure us

For now, might we just glimpse
The infirm's small attempts
For they've a spirit's guiding
and learning, though in hiding

As everyone must progress-
A step by step process
May we help those handicapped
To be spiritually tapped

Each spirit's intelligent
What's now is earthly sent
When the sleeping dust's restored
We'll rejoice with the Lord

There will be fullness of joy
Flesh no longer destroyed
The day of healing will come
No more blind, deaf or dumb

Elder Boyd K. Packer
"The Moving of the Water",
Ensign May 1991 pg. 7

The Sabbath is a Holy Day

On the Sabbath morning
I felt within my heart
The Lord's day was holy
And purely set apart.
As a heart that rejoices
We speak of heavenly things,
Then join as choir voices
And with the angels sing.

Here, I can rest from labors
And duties found in life.
I with my best endeavors
Have come to receive light.
With full dedication
And tender growing feelings
I offer up affection
And ponder my life's dealings

What I learn from a talk
I can know that it's true,
If in right paths I walk
A warmth confirms anew.
We treasure up wisdom
By teaching each other.
We learn of God's kingdom
Here one with another.

As a memorial
We take the sacrament.
His life, death and burial
Gave us the atonement.
And this we must think on
As we partake of His emblems;
And, His ascension
Gives reasons to sing hymns!

I try to be careful
And partake worthily;
With a contrite heart, full
Turned to Him willfully.
We receive blessings
Each week that we partake.
Our sins, we're addressing
As we commemorate.

Now the day is not through
Once we attend meetings.
This we do not simply do
For that would be fleeting.
We each have a calling
And need not to condemn.
The world would want us falling
Though, we're a light for them.

We must each wash our robes
And seek they become white.
We have heavenly hopes
And want to do the right.
We've got to arrive at
A state that's ever pure.
If we are on the right track.
Yes, we can know for sure!

May our pioneers inspire
Us, to press on despite peril.
The days became more dire
For we are being tried as well.
Like them, let's be committed
To stop each Sabbath day.
With God's laws on our hearts, written
We trust on and obey.



"The Sabbath is a Holy Day",
John Taylor, pg 107
Teachings of the Presidents
of the Church

Here We Bow

Here we bow to judge ourselves
Of our own worthiness.
In remembrance, we have come
Seeking happiness.

Here we come to eat the bread
With our hearts humbly found.
With our Lord we have come to rest
As our sins we've lain down

May we offer our clean hands
And too our pure hearts.
And shed off the natural man
For what peace imparts.

Here we come to gently sup
And to drink anew.
As we ponder what was shed
For all of man, too.

We take His name upon us
And He what we cast.
He'll search us and prove us-
Are we found steadfast?

As on the Sabbath Day
For much we do pray
For a measure of the Lord
We obey and learn more

May we prepare for the great Day
For His final supper
This the Great and Dreadful Day
The prayers, He will offer

July 24
A cleaned up version of the poem below:
Here we bow to judge ourselves of our worthiness on Thy sabbath day
In remembrance we have come seeking happiness for which we do pray
Here we come to eat the bread and to drink the cup with hearts humbly found
As Christ's body was laid down, then to Thee raised up, our sins we'll lay down
That we may with clean hands make offer and with Him gently sup

We want to have Thy spirit in a large measure and feel close to Thee
Oh, search us now and prove us, we want to be pure and walk steadfastly
We remember the suff'ring and bleeding Savior who endured for us
As we partake of His supper, may we feel His peace, thus
And prepare for His new supper - for when He does appear!

The Sacrament

Was I not here just yesterday?
To renew covenants as I prayed
How oft I fall short in my oath
What am I that I should now boast?

When sorrow comes I know not rest
Then I remember what's at breast
The words of Christ lend to me faith
His love comes through what He hath saith

On the day Christ was crucified
God's love for man was not denied
All of His blood that could was gone
And with pure love this gift was done

With the water and with the bread
I think of His life and not death
He freely loves us though we sin
He freely gave us our ransom

How easy it is to forget
His spirits there if I'd just let
He's sufficient for all my needs
And shows me the way as He leads

He said to all "come follow me"
Now humble, I have come to be
Each day may I read and not shy
Then for God's treasures I will cry

May I have faith to fight with might
To serve my Lord and do what's right
May I repent, full of remorse
This till I've finished my life course

Matt. 19: 21
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect,
go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come and follow me.
Jacob 3: 2
2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads
and receive the pleasing word of God,
and feast upon his love; for ye may,
if your minds are firm, forever.
2 Tim. 4: 7
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith:

Doors of Death

A crucial component of life
Comes at the doors of death
When we lose a husband or wife
We feel lost and bereft
The separation evokes pangs
Of loneliness and shock
Where this heavy door hangs
There's an unbearable clock

The younger the greater the grief
They're seen as a victim
The tragedy's beyond belief
The loved one's far stricken
Yet, even when the infirm are called
Though it gives them relief
In some way they had stalled
And their last good-bye seems brief

The deepest expression of love
Is to mourn for those we've lost
We've divine command from above
To weep when there's a loss
The only way to avoid tears
Is to remove all the love
Oh, the reunion with our dears
When we return to home above!

God's our primary directive
Spiritually for handling
When we've eternal perspective
We've peace past understanding
Life does not begin with birth
Nor does it end with death
Prior to birth we had worth
We'll go on without breath

As seedlings of God while on earth
We were born to die and then live
From blossoms to flowers of worth
We've a journey with a motive
To everything there's a season,
A time, a plan, and a purpose
We each are here for a reason
And life's lessons will further us

We pass through- not around deaths doors
On a returning trip
To live with the Father once more
Though trials we would to skip
Deaths essential to happiness
And there's life beyond the veil
If we could just peek and witness-
How we'd prepare there to dwell!

For, this much we know within
The real sting of death is sin
As the spirit's mortified
From God, separate, and denied
With opportunity gone
As we see clearly each wrong
That of our sins, we'll not be saved
Except we repent, and have them waived

The twilight of life is long
It's difficult to be strong
We must endure physically
And learn to cope spiritually
We've a divine injunction
To endure till there's no function
With heavy hardships how we lean
But, with them much can be gleaned

We must endure our trials
And suffer long with kind smiles
We'll pattern after the Lord
Through suffering, He loved, adored
And after tribulation
We're promised blessing's station
Our life is temporary
Then there's extraordinary

Returned to God and His home
Where a state of rest is known
This is temporary still
According to our Father's will
The grave must deliver up
The body and spirit cuff
To become a living soul
That's immortal in its new role

Our bodies will be perfect
As they are no longer subject
With eternal laws employed
These bodies can't be destroyed
Then comes the day of our Lord
Where our judgment is offered
There we'll be judged of our works
Presided by Christ and not clerks

Those who've almost to death crashed
Report seeing their whole life flashed
Having a rapid recall
They saw good and bad- It all
There's a sense of returning
And of a bright light burning
Some have seen their ancestors
But, their time was not answered

They live to tell us of peace
We know that life will increase
This is our time to prepare
We can bless others with kind care
Be generous and give thanks
And seal unto your family its ranks
For with loved ones close to enjoy
Death's door will be sweet unto joy

When our departure's at hand
May the veil of death be thin
As loved ones on both sides stand
There's comfort to journey in
Death does not hold one hostage
But, it will come eventually
When we've reached our time full-fledged
Then we slip away ever so gently

Russell M. Nelson
"Doors of Death",
Ensign, May 1992 pg 72

King Follet Sermon

Elder King Follet had been crushed

The congregation was hushed

With prayers to be verified

Each hoped to be edified

On this grave subject of death

The Prophet Joseph was led

And he offered up his own thoughts

Of all those present... none would forget!

"In the morn of creation"....

(He began with earth's formation

Wanting to say things just right...

And not lead away from light.)

"The beasts could eat, drink, and sleep

But, not comprehend what is deep;

Yet, man has been given a heart

To comprehend what heaven imparts."

As it is with faith, visions appear.

He turned  their minds to lofty spheres,

"Have you sought God and communed?

To this desire may your heart be tuned

For I have communed, heard, and seen

The living God in being

All we know of life eternal

Comes from Him supernal!"

"Of what I can comprehend

May I unto you extend?

God once was as we are now

And of this truth, I avow

Adam, made in His own image

Was prepared for life's pilgrimage

We too have been prepared for our day

As God, Himself, started this way!"

"May I take the veil away

And teach of Him today?

The head God brought forth other God's

Though translations are at odds.

God had once been like yourself.

Now the Father hath power himself.

The Savior will help us to reprise

Through degrees of grace to arise!"

"I know of whom we all belong

I can prove the world is wrong

For there are errors in God's book

As translators misnamed and mistook

One says Jacob, one says James...

Gone the message of how God saves

But through the Godhead we've a first hand book

That teaches us how to discern and look."

"Silence your hands and your voices

He who may hear rejoices

To the lawyers who but flutter

We laugh at what they utter

And then console those who mourn

Unto a hope that's been reborn

Jesus has tread in God's own tracks

And has taught us, perfectly, the grand way back."

"When Jesus spoke of His death

Something He said hints of depth

'As the Father hath power...

Even hath the Son power'

To lay down life and then rise

Our Father had known demise!

Of this the Bible does not dispute

Who, then, will believe or dare to refute?"

"Those live's laid down and dissolved

Must repent and be absolved.

Though we're to be immortal

There is more- to rise eternal!

God's kingdom requires man's humbling

He too went through great fear and trembling

Let us avoid everlasting burning

And keep our covenants... continually learning"

"When you climb up a long ladder

You rise with strength you have gathered.

Ever you arrive but step by step.

Then to slip quickly as you misstep.

Now, we have learned of exaltation-

How to build upon a sound foundation.

Mortality awaits for our education.

Ever there are times of self-evaluation."

"We have learn of God's very own character

As the heavens reveal, with faith we factor.

The Father had a grand council

To create, plan, and excel.

From the element, serials-

They organized materials.

Was earth once made of nothing?

Even we are made of something!"

"The plan for mankind was laid.

Out of earth, all life was made.

With a tabernacle of clay

Adam, the first man gave way.

His spirit was placed inside.

In the garden, he did reside.

He transgressed, fell- now we all sin

But through Christ, our souls we will win."

"Intelligence comprehends

What has beginning too must end.

But our spirits, they have neither

And we will go on forever.

The Holy Ghost knows of all

From the Father, for the long haul;

To help us climb life's long ladder

To be happier and not sadder."

"Our eternal life will be good

I know I will taste its sweet fruit!

To have glory, truth, knowledge, light

Power, priesthood, and keen insight-

I proclaim this with boldness.

May each spirit find their access

And of those who have passed beyond the veil

I will help them so they will not fail."

"We're either in grace or dread,

Spiritually alive or dead,

With God or separated,

Lonely or family related,

Either allowed or are barred.

Physically or spiritually scarred

As we are of intelligence

We will continue to learn more hence."

"When our friend was buried alive

We knew there was no way to survive.

Gravely... we ponder mortality

And wish for keen answers to see.

What can we do now that he has passed?

Give him something supernal that lasts!

We will baptize all his family dead

And seal them together for what lies ahead."

... shall comment on the very first Hebrew word
in the Bible; I will make a comment on the very
first sentence of the history of creation in the
Bible—Berosheit. I want to analyze the word.
Baith—in, by, through, and everything else.
Roch—the head, Sheit—grammatical termination.
When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put
the baith there. An old Jew without any authority
added the word; he thought it too bad to begin to
talk about the head! It read first, "The head one
of the Gods brought forth the Gods." That is the
true meaning of the words. Baurau signifies to
bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do
not believe the learned man of God. Learned men
can teach you no more than what I have told you.
Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council.
Joseph Smith, "King Follet Sermon."
------------------------------------
On the other hand, the whole design
of the gospel is to lead us onward
and upward to greater achievement,
even, eventually, to godhood. This
great possibility was enunciated by
the Prophet Joseph Smith in the
King Follet sermon (see Teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith,
pp. 342–62; and emphasized by
President Lorenzo Snow. It is this grand
and incomparable concept: As God now is,
man may become! (See The Teachings of
Lorenzo Snow, comp. Clyde J. Williams,
Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1984, p. 1.)

Our enemies have criticized us for believing
in this. Our reply is that this lofty concept
in no way diminishes God the Eternal Father.
He is the Almighty. He is the Creator and
Governor of the universe. He is the
greatest of all and will always be so.
But just as any earthly father wishes for
his sons and daughters every success in life,
so I believe our Father in Heaven wishes for
his children that they might approach him in
stature and stand beside him resplendent in
godly strength and wisdom.

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Don’t Drop the Ball,”
Ensign, Nov 1994, 46

Do not drop the ball

Consider those who've passed

Give to them your all

Give them the gift that lasts

Lifting, Bending, and Twisting

Lifting, bending, and twisting
Every day in their homes
Each young mother's existing
To find for what she combs

Under the couch and loveseat
Are toys and books and things
Wherever the children meet
With them there's much each brings

Perhaps one day she can rest
While the children remain calm
That even though they are at breast
There's nothing in her palm

As she captures the moment
She sees her best reward
Her precious children are lent
And she is the steward

This world busily demands
And children know this too
Yet, a mother understands
And knows just what to do

There's no more worthy role
Than that of motherhood
And though it takes its toll
She'd striving as she should

She relies on her instincts
As each child's so diff'rent
Though some daily tasks may stink
At home she is content

A child's in need of well-being
While in the formative years
And thus must have a routine
Or are oft found in tears

And so there's times of frustration
As things are overlooked
She makes a correlation
And knows she's overbooked

Each family needs unstructured time
When they can laugh, talk, and play
That's when bonding becomes prime
And shining joys display

Every good thing is brought to pass
By small and simple things
Like moments in photograph
Her legacy is our heart strings

So when a daughter of God's giv'n
A day to spend her way
All her thoughts while away she's liv'n
Are of them- thus, she prays

This is how the church is preserved
And we must give her aid
For while her role is observed
Firm foundations are laid

What's the best use of her spare time?
That she draw from the well
And, that she enrich her life
In what she may excel

M. Russell Ballard
A Daughter of God
May Ensign 2008

Moving Forward

Moving forward
Looking backward
We must all press on

Reaching skyward
Searching inward
Doing as the Son

Time is moving
We're not loosing
We know who will win

We are hoping
And believing
As we shift from sin
With new faith within