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

Christian Courage- Love Them As He Would

 

[Verse 1]

We are Christians by works and by name Though some antagonize us just the same Shall we defend ourselves when accused? No, we'll remember what Jesus did when abused For, as He was despised and rejected His message on this matter was perfected And He used not a formula nor a script Against those who would to make Him trip [Pre-Chorus] Sometimes silence is the best response Not out of nonchalance Not a sign of weakness But kindness and meekness [Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would Christian courage knows how to wait [Verse 2] At a moment we would to put up our dukes We can with hold hostility and use rebukes In such cases that warrants protecting what’s sacred But, whatever we do we will not give in to hatred As their heart are touched, they become investigators They search deeply for the greatest gift which does save And as they see that we do not act or think we are better They sense the privilege of honoring Christ and the life that he gave [Pre-Chorus] Sometimes silence is the best response Not out of nonchalance Not a sign of weakness But kindness and meekness [Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would Christian courage knows how to wait [Bridge] Our Lord loved and suffered for one and for all And as His disciple this too is our call There's one sure way to respond to persecutors It's to love them as He would — for there in is power [Final Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would And His kindness can change the hate

inspired by:

Elder Robert D. Hales

Christian Courage
The Price of Discipleship
Ensign, November 2008, 72

To See You Through

When you cannot do what you've always done
Then, only do what matters most!
Prayer is Heaven's strength through the living Son
By the power of the Holy Ghost

I love Elder's Hale's quote: the first two lines. Forgive me for adding to it!

Oh How We Need General Conference

Oh how we need General Conference

To be renewed and fortified

It is filled with counsel and cautions

May the Spirit manifest to guide

Under the direction of the Lord

Comes each message He wants to give

Let us listen and make a record

Of our resolve to better live

Stand Strong with your Armor On

It used to be that sin
Had to be sought for
Well not anymore
Sin lies at the door

Picture yourself a knight
Defending the castle gate
Trained and prepared to fight
Against aggressors that wait

Withstand the evil day
Be found firm, steadfast, and
Strong with the shield of faith,
Armor, and sword in hand

Gird your loins with God's truth
To your breast, righteousness
Let your feet be well shod, too
To battle wickedness

Quench the fiery darts
That would, to you, destroy
Your shield of faith imparts
Great power to deploy

With a helmet to your head
Recognize temptation
With the sword of truth look ahead
Toward your salvation

Gospel truths abide forever
And do not succumb to pressure
Though the world may grow more clever
It's our covenants that we treasure

I had a wonderful time writing this in the waiting room of the temple.  It is always a pleasure to see wedding groups pass by.
Elder Robert D. Hales
Stand Strong in Holy Places
Ensign, May 2013

Before We Came to this Earth

Before we came to this earth
Heavenly Father presented His plan
Continuing as from the first
Agency would be given to man

Knowing it would be easy to sin
A Savior would then be provided
Suffering for all who’d repent
But … to follow this plan not all decided

For, saying He could do better than that
Lucifer guaranteed each man’s return
Taking away agency was where he was at
As also for his own glory he yearned

Then Jesus, the beloved and chosen son
Exercised His agency to say,
“Heavenly Father, thy will be done,
and the glory be thine forever to stay

Now, because Lucifer’s rebelled
A spiritual conflict ensued
A third of heaven chose to be exiled
Desiring to follow Satan instead

Today their only power is to tempt and try us
And our safety is to obey God’s commandments
As on this earth, we still follow Jesus
Giving thanks for His perfect life spent

Throughout His life our Savior showed us
How to return to our Father above
As through faith, forgiveness, mercy, and trust
Even His enemies He prayed for with love

In Gethsemane, He chose to suffer all things
That if we would repent we would not have to
We recognize the peace that obedience brings
Thus we consecrate our lives in all we do

Whenever we choose to follow Christ
We are on a planned path of progress
The end of the journey is eternal life
Thus when we sin, we repent and confess

It is not always easy to return to the path
But we have the Holy Ghost as our guide
To the end, let us each devote all that we hath
That with our families, in heaven, we’ll reside

Let us hearken to our prophet’s counsel
And attend to our children’s spiritual growth
That our home life will liberate them from darkness
To not fear opposition where ever they may go

Let us learn to heed the Spirit’s voice
And follow Christ with more exactness
That we’ll come to know Him, to one day rejoice
And kneel before Him and thank Him for His actions

Then let us anticipate our reunion
With our Father who dwells in heaven above
And thank Him for His decision
To give us the gift of agency with love

Elder Robert D. Hales
Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life
 

Elder Robert D. Hales - Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life

Agency is:
The ability to choose
To act well or resist
As our conscience moves

We are all accountable
To God, self, and man
We can be responsible
And feel free or be caught in sin

We Proclaim Unto All the World

We've a proclamation to all the world
God's plan for man is now unfurled
Spiritually born in a premortal realm
We've heavenly parents that reign at the helm

We've always been, men and women
And prepared for earth, while yet in heaven
When mortal life came unto man
The binding of marriage then began

Through covenants made of holy order
Blessings come from heaven's border
Ultimately achieving, perfectly
Our Godly given destiny

But, we've an enemy all the while
Who tries to tempt us that our sins pile
Yet, we will repent each time we slip, and fall short
Having faith... while feeling God's aid and comfort

When we repent, oh the loving
As, like Christ, we are becoming
Ever we've His gospel, shining... to share
Amidst turmoil, we've His light and care

With our faith in God and His Son
We face the high seas we ride upon
Preserving family for all that is grand
Linked to the heavens growing close at hand

Then, when someone crosses the veil
We are assured that all is well
For knowing, one day, we'll be together
Raises us in hope and endeavor

The Eternal Family
Robert D. Hales
Ensign, November 1996, 64

quoting the Family: A Proclamation to the World
Ensign November 1995, 102

Everything Was Prepared

Everything was prepared
Freedoms were in place
Lending the gospel to be shared
With answers to embrace

For the last dispensation
A prophet was prepared
A childhood operation
Proved, of pain, he was not scared

For there would be tests and trials
Requiring endurance and faith
To lead a journey over miles
Midst persecutions hard to face

Though his finances were meager
His persistence would not quit
He was ready, chosen, and eager
To be the Latter-day prophet

Let hell rage and enemies combine
He would do all that is required
For suffering helps refine
To do as the Lord desires

If we study, ponder, and pray
Seeking answers in this life
We too can know the way
Ever...even unto Jesus Christ

Like Joseph, our path is long
And many tests lie ahead
This helps us to grow strong
As we seek to be spiritually led

So it was with Joseph
May it be with us
With surety to know if
We are committed, thus

Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside
Elder Robert D. Hales
February 20, 2010

Something Lies in Wait- the Test

Something lies in wait
Just beyond ability
To those inside the gate
Testing capability

Stretched beyond our own
But who should we turn to?
God's wisdom stands alone
Helping us know and do

The light of belief inside
Lies waiting to awake
There to be intensified
Deepening convictions that we make

"Seeking to Know God,
Our Heavenly Father,
and His Son,
Jesus Christ"

Elder Robert D. Hales
Ensign November 2009, 29

The Light of Belief Lies Within You

The light of belief lies within you
The warmth of its awakening burns
It is set ablaze by the holiness of God
As the added witness of the Spirit confirms

That as belief in God is being questioned
Midst the secular darkness all around
Our concern is for the path of progression
As we seek to be eternally bound

Without God, life would end at the grave
As also all we've accomplished
But, we know the plan that our Father has made
And His light will not be extinguished

We have been formed to see, think, and feel
After His own image and His own likeness
That we may know Him, though there be a veil
Led on by our prophet's sure witness

All who desire to feel of His presence
Must submit humbly and pray
Kneeling to seek for the Spirit's influence
Felt while reading what the scriptures say

As all the prophets in their dispensations
Have seen what defies all description
Building a righteous covenant nation
And our own time is not an exception...

He who was appointed for this Latter- day
Sought His Father to know what is true
He retired to a grove to ponder and pray
As prophets of old had done too

He beheld there in full brightness and glory
The Father as well as the Son
Joining with those out of ancient history
Who were taught how God's work is won

That by the power of the Holy Ghost
And the priesthood there's to bear
We can receive what we need the most
As they testify and declare

Know the Spirit can be constrained
Thus be careful and be taught
For when faithfulness and hope have waned
The natural man is our lot

Know, too, those who disbelieve
Desire to ridicule and falsely teach
Never content they must strive to deceive
And seek for those whom they might reach

Thus we must yield to the Lord, ever meek
And be as a child full of love
To please our Father, let us ever seek
That we might return to Him above

Let us now ponder His heavenly glory
With softened hearts, let us be touched
That we might be taught by the Spirit this story:
Our Dear Heavenly Father loves us so much!

Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ
Elder Robert D. Hales
Ensign, November 2009, 29

edited by Rick Miller
because a lengthy poem really needs to flow

When We Hear the Gunfire of Sin

Satan knows what's natural within
Yet we can't afford to fear Him one whit
Thus when we hear the gunfire of sin
We must not ignore, but take care of it

We will maintain our stance on high ground
And call for the Lord as our defense
For with His power a shield is found
And we can say "Lucifer, Get Thee Hence!"

And as we find the parameter's are sealed
We give thanks that safety is at hand
For through dependence, we are taught and healed
That a molecule of the atonement we understand


thoughts from ksl radio after conference speaking of
Elder Hales
Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually
Esign, May 2009,7

All Addictions

All addictions
Found upon the earth
Cause restrictions
And lower our self-worth

Yet we've a way
To restore freedom
To hold sins at bay
And be filled with wisdom

The cravings of
The natural man
Substitute God's love
For what ever is at hand

A deep hunger
Won't be satisfied
Till prayers are uttered
And the soul is tried

With humility one can afford
To conquer what's insatiable
It's the price to feast with the Lord
And taste what is incredible

The fruits of the Lord's gospel
Are satisfyingly sweet
That when we're given to sample
We lay our sins at His feet

Then as we know each week we sin
We seek cleansing of hands and hearts
Thus a reverence in us begins
For that which the sacrament imparts


Thoughts from Elder Hales conference talk
Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually
Ensign, May 2009, 7

Where Does Lie the Higher Ground?

Where does lie the higher ground
Where the Spirit can be found?
For therein we can receive
Light and wisdom to achieve

On a high mount set apart
Is where God's light does impart
Where prophets once were informed
And our Savior was transformed

Here high laws were etched and made
Hand cut by God and displayed
Clear words to us were given
For pure laws to love with in

As for our day - we've temples
To become good examples
It's our fortress of safety
To live our lives out safely

Here we rise above the world
Where oft prideful mocks are hurled
If we listen when they come
There's temptation to succumb

But with the Lord we'll prevail
He's our strength to endure well
It's important to be true
And help others rise up too

There we build an atmosphere
Where it's easier to hear
Let us raise our voices high
And upon God's light rely

Here to take upon Christ's name
To trust and be without shame
If we step down we're unclean
Quick repent for more's forseen

There's no need for prolongment
Choose ye well your involvement
Learn from others decisions
Where it's high there's clear visions

On the straight and narrow path
We don't waste all that we have
This applies to temporal
As it does to spiritual

Providence is the best rule
And temptations we must school
If we have need we must plan
And with help meets we must stand

We must stay within our means
For high interest drains one's dreams
With the Lord we've sufficient
For He's ever beneficent

On high ground, He leads the way
It's through Him to God we pray
He will bless us with reserve
For therein we've more to serve

beneficent
from rhymezone
doing or producing good
Example: "The most beneficent regime in history"
generous in assistance to the poor
doing or producing good




Robert D. Hales
BYU PROVO
CES Fireside
March 1, 2009


I had come ye children of the Lord
in my head while I wrote this....

Christian Courage

We are Christians by works and by name
Though some antagonize us just the same
Shall we defend ourselves when accused?
No, we'll remember what Jesus did when abused

For, as He was despised and rejected
His message on this matter was perfected
And He used not a formula nor a script
Against those who would to make Him trip

Sometimes silence is the best response
But, this is not out of nonchalance
Nor is it to be seen as a weakness
But, an act of kindness and of meekness

At a moment we would to put up our dukes
We can withold hostility and use (at the most)- rebukes
In such cases that warrants protecting what’s sacred
But, whatever we do we will not give in to hatred

For irregardless we shall not retaliate
As we've Christian courage and we do not hate
Our Lord loved and suffered for one and for all
And as His disciple this too is our call...

There's one sure way to respond to persecutors
It's to love them as He would- for there in is power
And, though it may only subdue these false accusers
Other's interest in the church grows from concern of that hour

As their heart are touched, they become investigators
Who search deeply for the greatest gift which does save
And as they see that we do not act or think we are better
They sense the privilege of honoring Christ and the life that he gave

Elder Robert D. Hales
Christian Courage
The Price of Discipleship
Ensign, November 2008, 72

[Verse 1] We are Christians by works and by name Though some antagonize us just the same Shall we defend ourselves when accused? No, we'll remember what Jesus did when abused For, as He was despised and rejected His message on this matter was perfected And He used not a formula nor a script Against those who would to make Him trip [Pre-Chorus] Sometimes silence is the best response Not out of nonchalance Not a sign of weakness But kindness and meekness [Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would Christian courage knows how to wait [Verse 2] At a moment we would to put up our dukes We can with hold hostility and use rebukes In such cases that warrants protecting what’s sacred But, whatever we do we will not give in to hatred As their heart are touched, they become investigators They search deeply for the greatest gift which does save And as they see that we do not act or think we are better They sense the privilege of honoring Christ and the life that he gave [Pre-Chorus] Sometimes silence is the best response Not out of nonchalance Not a sign of weakness But kindness and meekness [Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would Christian courage knows how to wait [Bridge] Our Lord loved and suffered for one and for all And as His disciple this too is our call There's one sure way to respond to persecutors It's to love them as He would — for there in is power [Final Chorus] Love them as He would Love them as He would As peacemakers, we do not retaliate Love them as He would Love them as He would And His kindness can change the hate

A Proof of Faith

A proof of faith
Is a small fee
I'll give my tenth
Yes, happily

Heaven's windows
Open and shine
When knowledge grows
Of what's not mine

Tithing unlocks
The temple doors
Where I can walk
And learn much more

What do I need
Amidst sorrows?
Obedience leads
And sin borrows

When I'm confused
My faith grows dim
And I'm self-abused
From the fight within

When I show pride
And alone fend
I feel the slide
When blessings end

When flesh controls
Or things tempt me
My debt soon grows
And, I'm empty

Then I must leap
And pay up full
There are laws to keep
And hungers to school

There is protection
That is temporal
When we've detection
Of what's spiritual

The Lord awaits
To light our path
And we must awake
There are tests to pass

When blessings come
They help me see
Where they are from
I want to be

Elder Robert D. Hales
Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings
Ensign, May 2006, 118

Gaining a Testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost

I ponder continually
Of God and His Son
I've a testimony
How these two are one

People o'er all the world
Do struggle to know
Who's our Savior and Lord?
Does knowledge still flow?

Oft the Exemplar sent prayers
To His Heavenly Father
And the scriptures declare
Of their love for each other

Tender obedience
And glorious trust
United as one in stance
And in their love for us

The Father and Son are real
As two distinct beings
I can know what I feel
And that truth- I'm receiving

If any lack wisdom
They can search in prayer
To the humble, light will come
James 1:5 makes this clear

A witness comes from heaven
To teach us of the Son
And to Joseph Smith was given
This pattern for how it's done

First we must have a desire
That quickens our soul
Then to pray, we retire
With obedience our goal

We pray in the name of
Our Dear Savior, Jesus
As our mediator above
He has proved that He loves us

If you truly believe
With all of your heart
Then in surety you'll receive
And this is only the start...

What has been shown to me
Can be made known to you
The Holy Ghost is the key
To reveal what is true

Elder Robert D. Hales
Ensign, May 2008, 29
Gaining a Testimony of God the Father;
His Son, Jesus Christ;
and the Holy Ghost

Stance: More general:attitude, position, posture
More specific:attention, erectness, uprightness

James 1: 5
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.

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

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