To Raise Each Other For Highest Endeavors

To raise each other for highest endeavors
Befitting daughters of infinite worth
The women of the church gathered together
In meeting houses all over the earth

These singular women with remarkable souls
Have surrounded their homes with that which is good
To help those therein create talents and goals
To build up the kingdom and God's own priesthood

And as such these sisters can become weary
And some did not meet lest they'd get behind
To think of their sacrifices makes one teary
For they are ever striving their best to be kind

What speaker could give the sisters perspective?
And help them remain balanced and Christ centered?
But, one born of their influence who is introspective
And speaks in God's name from the high calling he's entered

He said "there are hearts today that harbor deep sorrows"
And there's no "switch to flip" for hurt feelings to cease
For those "sinking in quicksand" know not sweet repose
Till they're saved by two principles that lead them to peace

First, be God-like and create something that did not exist before
In a way that does not require position, influence, or money
Help the world around you and within become much more
As you adorn it with smiles, beauty, and words that are sunny

Next, be God-like and reach out to bless the lives of others
Your service and sacrifice will open the windows of heaven
Assist the young mothers and the discouraged young brothers
Let your eyes open, through God's power for good your gift given

Have faith that God will encircle you in the arms of His love
That discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way
Know that you are as an instrument in the hands of Him above
Draw close to Him and be the answer of those in need who pray

Focus on these two things

Believing in potential

You're a blessing that brings

Loving kindness made special

[Verse 1]

To raise each other high

For highest endeavors

Befitting daughters of infinite worth

The women of the church

Gathered together

In meeting houses all over the earth

These singular women

With remarkable souls

Have surrounded their homes

With that which is good

To help those therein

Create talents and goals

To build up the kingdom

And God's own priesthood

[Pre-Chorus]

And as such these sisters can become weary

Some did not meet lest they'd get behind

To think of their sacrifices makes one teary

For they are ever striving their best to be kind

[Chorus]

Focus on these two things

(These two things)

Believing in potential

You're a blessing that brings

Loving kindness made special

As a spiritual daughter of God

[Verse 2]

What speaker could give them perspective?

And help them remain balanced and Christ centered?

But one born of their influence, introspective

And speaks in God's name

From the high calling he's entered

He said there are hearts today

That harbor deep sorrows

And there's no switch to flip

For hurt feelings to cease

For those sinking in quicksand

Know not sweet repose

Till they're saved by two principles

That lead them to peace

[Pre-Chorus]

First, be God-like and create

Something that did not exist before

In a way that does not require

Position, influence, or money

Help the world around you

And within become much more

As you adorn it with smiles

Beauty, and words that are sunny

[Chorus]

Focus on these two things

(These two things)

Believing in potential

You're a blessing that brings

Loving kindness made special

As a spiritual daughter of God

[Bridge]

Next, be God-like and reach out

To bless the lives of others

Your service and sacrifice

Will open the windows of heaven

Assist the young mothers

And the discouraged young brothers

Let your eyes open

Through love's power for good your gift's given

Have faith that God will encircle you

In the arms of His love

That discouragement, inadequacy

And weariness will give way

Know that you are as an instrument

In the hands of Him above

Draw close to Him

And be the answer

Of those in need who pray

[Final Chorus]

Focus on these two things

(These two things)

Believing in potential

You're a blessing that brings

Loving kindness made special

As a spiritual daughter of God

Focus on these two things

being creative, giving service

Believing in potential

You're a blessing that brings

Loving kindness made special

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Happiness Your Heritage
Ensign, November 2008, 117

Christ Makes the Difference

Christ makes the difference
so why can't I?
I'll not be distant
when someone cries!

The Needy, Sick, and Afflicted

The needy, sick, and afflicted
Are they not each one of Christ's sheep
Are we not called and invited
To stay nigh with Him and watchkeep

Who Has Money or Something to Offer?

Who has money or something to offer
Those deep inside Haiti- oh, how they suffer
The mass graves, the cement, the need of rescue
The daylight hours, organization, and supply too few

The brave journey through small cracks where everything stacks
The skinny, the wiry, scoot along their backs
And all the while, hope is ticking further away
Midst fears of a next shock when all could then cave way

The footage of people who are doing without
Days since their last meal with their water all out
The wounds all cemented and caked high with dust
And, shamefully there are some you simply can't trust

Then... on day three... still there's miracles
As from the rubble a child..alive... one man pulls
To the father... the mother... the sweet toddler smiles
And meanwhile... the unfortunate... by thousands... in piles

In truth all are homeless as none dare stay inside
Any sheet or bit of clothing is their shade to reside
But... what is that? Sweetly to be heard?
Praising ...of God in song and in word...

Healing is beginning through love and also  comfort
With compassion extended as humanitarians report
How long... is the next question... and who'll help to rebuild?
For now... let the parched throats and bellies just be filled

And from my home ever far away... prayers of concern are sent
As tears give way, with gratitude, for the Lord's atonement
And knowing all I have is given me of God
I donate from my heart and watch my church community in awe

Too, all around, efforts are being laid
And generous donations are truly being made
Sadly, we must send armed men to assure this nation's peace
As this means shortened supplies, too, must increase

May families reunite and take all this in
And come to know who and where their loved one's have fallen
May this country that has now been brought down to their knees
Be lifted to rise a new way- with faith in God for their needs


at LDS newsroom one can see the LDS church is doing remarkable things...as we seem to be ever facing calamities all over the world... supplies were already on hand to ship
donations can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at:
http://give.lds.org/emergencyresponse.

With a Storm Advisory

A Weather advisory
The icy storm hit
For a night of misery
To those stuck in it

And here it was
Christmas Eve
With the airports full
As none could leave

Each deep in thought
With little to say
The ticket that they'd bought
Was long since delayed

And... ignoring the crowd
Was a man in a suit
Working with head bowed
A... modern day scrooge

Just then a lone plane
Announced its departure
And many a poor souls came
Seeking a seat to secure

One... in the long line
Was mournfully in doubt
He'd not much more time
Till, to war, he'd be shipped out

All heard of his plight
But, they had theirs too
And this was their flight
What were they to do?

Then... the gate opened
And each ticket was handed
Till the last...in a suit
Gave to the soldier still stranded

Two honorable men
Of sacrifice
To each other softened
What words could suffice...

The man in the suit
Wished the other the best
Gave a proper salute
And left seeking some rest

The plane soon departed
As did others in time
And I left tender hearted
From this moment so kind

Thomas S. Monson
December 6, 2009
First Presidency Christmas Devotional

THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

The charter for compassion
Places all mankind on common ground
That amidst our varied paths of passion
A concern for others is always found

Angels in our Midst

The angels in our midst
Are of many shapes and sizes
And as they selflessly lift
It's the love felt that one prizes

Compassion unto service
Is our opportunity
To know a higher purpose
As with the angels we will be

click on the title to go to a sweet
site with wonderful angel quotes

It is Ours

It is ours to administer
Programs and ordinances
Too, it is ours to minister
Those in trying circumstances

The sick, the weary, the cold
Are some of the many who cry out
Let us restore them to the fold
Unto the programs we're about

Let us emulate the good shepherd
Who left the ninety nine
To find those lost from the heard
And are having a hard time



The Blessings of Ministering
Ensign speaking of President Monson
pg. 34

I've Felt That Kind of Pain Before

I've felt that kind of pain before
How it pressed upon, wracked, and tore
What can I do to help you through?
Perhaps lift you unto faith anew?

Let's start by reading of our dear Savior
Of how He suffered to pay and favor
I've found so much from His succoring
That He, through the oil press, is offering

Every time I serve to lift and aid
I can't help but think of the price He paid
Oh, how I want to give honor to that love
Unto charity, of which there can't be enough of

Like a Plant Turned

Like a plant turned
We've light and hope
And through faith in Christ we've learned
How best to cope

When we've known pain
We feel deeply
That when another's tears rain
We're found weeping

With clarity
Empathy buds
As then Christ-like charity
Blooms from above

There's no wonder
That we give plants
For, they show, more than words utter
How pure light is needed and spans

May We So Live

May we so live that if we died today
We'd have eternal life with the Master
Then we'd feel peace and be unafraid
When suddenly comes a disaster

When tragedy struck in 2001
Gone were well-laid out plans for pleasant futures
And all raced to their phones to speak with someone
For the precious moment of now it captures

What are we doing with today?
How fragile life. How certain death!
If only for tomorrows we pray
We're wasting away this days breath!

Tomorrows of change rarely come
Unless today we make the first step
Have we done something for anyone?
Opportunity's an endless debt!

There are words to say and gifts to give
There are souls to save and deeds to do
To extend the joy it is to live
Is to share our Lord's light all anew

As we turn from paths that lead us down
We can follow a star toward the light
As we quicken our step with courage found
Our joy's for today- in doing what's right

Can you hear the children's laughter?
Do you too have a song in your heart?
It's joy that we all should be after
That's from giving of what God does impart

For whom do we feel strongest emotions?
Surely it's not for someone we hate
For that is where we'll place our devotions
And regret is a dark friend at the gate

But, darkness can be dispelled with light
With service being the formula for peace
Those who follow the Master enjoy life
And, oh how our love for all does increase

President Thomas S. Monson
May We So Live
Ensign, August 2008, 5

Words of Love From the Heart

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

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

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

A Man Passed By

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

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

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

Give Heed unto the Prophet's Words

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shall We Not Cry, When There's a Passing

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

In the fresh grave
Now rests a dear loved one,
Whom Christ can save
For for each, He has won!

Shall we not pause

And look up with hope

That our loved one

Has been welcomed home?

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

With Him, we will prevail

And we will say, "All is well!"

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

Death is a journey 

With an unseen portal

Where we all go home

No more being mortal

The Heavens open a crack...

Loved ones await us

To journey us back

To the arms of Jesus

The Doorway of Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Same Gender Attraction

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

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

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

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

To you who struggle :

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

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

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

Band of Brothers

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

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

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

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

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

Elder wirthlin

The Beggar

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

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

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

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

My Sister's Heart Has Broke in Two

My sister's heart has broke in two.
Now, what am I supposed to do?
Be her friend and give her a call.
Give service no matter how small.
Oft I pray to know what to say
To share my light and brighten her day.