What Matters Most

The trip I planned was underway

"Enjoy the view," I heard them say.

I'll be back soon to give report"

"We'll wait for you" was their retort.

Thoughts of what I left behind

Began to fill my foolish mind.

Why can't I work while I'm at play

It won't be much... an hour a day.

Why can't the children just be calm

Or go outside and climb the palm?

I had to finish this small task

In order to remove the mask.

"Look at the sunset in the west"

"Look how in dips below the crest"

"Take a picture," I'll be out

I didn't see the little one pout.

Why does he not spend time with us?

Is it because we make a fuss?

I had forgotten who they were

Please help me find a better cure.

The time had come to let them know

That talk is cheap, it's time to show.

It was just then I felt release

From worldly cares, then came the peace.

Why had I wasted so much time

To make a dollar or a dime?

Those things that mattered most to me

Stood next to me, that much I see.

The trip I started long ago

Taught me what I need to know

I found that I had paid a toll

For things that I could not control.

The glasses now upon my face

Help me see into time and space.

To worry over things mundane

Will cause us worry and much pain.

I now resolve to show more love

To be like him, our God above.

This life that we have journeyed in

Is just a test that we can win.

Have we forgotten America?

Two hundred years have come and gone

Freed from the King, our freedom won.

Betray the King and you were marked

To be free men within them sparked.

The resolution which they signed

They held sacred, one of a kind.

God’s hand was there, no one could doubt

For them he would provide an out.

Shots were fired, many men died

Wives and children mourned and cried.

The blood that spilled still cries today

“Do not forget the price I pay.”

Now we sit in present day

Forgetting all that they did say.

Our freedoms trampled, nearly dead

For this their blood was never shed.

The chains of bondage seem so small

We hardly know they’re there at all.

Wound many times around our soul

They bind us tight and take their toll.

It's not too late to break the chain

Return to God and there remain.

God gave us freedom and a choice

We have to make them hear our voice.

Good will triumph in the end

We cannot fail, we cannot bend.

Outnumbered many, many to one

God will prevail, we will have won.

So choose your side most carefully

That on the wrong one, you won’t be.

At times the battle will be fierce

Our hearts and bodies may be pierced.

Some of our friends are on their side

Deceived by him, the father of pride.

Listen to God, the source of light

He is the one that’s always right.

This country that we have is grand

And for this cause we take a stand.

Let freedom ring for all to hear

We will not cower, that is clear.

Pioneer Strength!

A temple God told them to build

With blood and stone God’s house was made.

Eternal blessings they had willed

To turn the hearts of men they prayed.

Joy and peace would not last long

The temple soon was broke and burned.

Driven from their homes, they’re strong

For God, from them, will not be turned.

On frozen ground the saints traversed

Leaving blood on snow to follow.

Their foes would laugh, and they cursed

Soon their deeds would all be hollow.

Crossed the plains in hand-drawn carts

Many found their God this way.

Their sacrifice to us imparts

To live worthy every day.

Joseph the Prophet!

Joseph read in the book of James

That wisdom God would give to him.

Within his soul his heart exclaims

Gospel light no longer dims.

In the grove of trees he knelt

To ask of God which church was true.

The answer he had heard and felt

The restoration had come due.

Moroni took him to the hill

Where buried deep were sacred plates.

Penned by those who now are still

To save a world from dire straits.

He lived his life to serve the King

For good and bad would he be known.

To God our praises we will sing

When we all kneel at his throne.

My Daughter!

Born to this world on a winter day

You brought such joy to parents young.

From heaven you had come to stay

Leaving God and friends you dwelt among.

Being the oldest, you did not want

Your siblings need your love and care.

Your humble spirit you did not flaunt

To help all return, with none to spare.

You were saved for mom and me

So we would bring more children home.

You’ve been more than you could be

As you go out in the world to roam.

Remember where you come from first

He is your Father, friend always.

Follow His Son and never thirst

We love you and you we’ll praise.

My Lovely Wife!

Just as sun breaks through the night

Warming all that see it’s rays.

You're as kind as the sun is bright

Spreading joy for better days.

As a mother and a Queen

You fill our home with sweets and love.

God sent you from our home unseen

To take your family back above.

Your earthly life is great and grand

Just recall from whence you hail.

Many folk from this great land

Will honor you beyond the veil.

Remember when the times are tight

That God, from you, has not withdrawn.

Think of the sun, it shines so bright

You're as the sun, You are the DAWN!

My Son!

Eighteen years have come and gone

Since you came to us from heaven above.

The kindness in your heart is real

An example of our Savior’s love.

At twelve you chose to follow him

The priesthood power was given to you.

His power to act and do his will

Will be with you in all you do.

A teacher you would soon become

To act in his eternal name.

Called to watch and teach the saints

You stand for Him, without shame.

Sixteen years would bring more change

Power to baptize, break and bless.

Prepare you must, for time moves fast

If in the field you have success.

The time is now for you to go

And serve the Lord with heart and soul.

This time you spend unselfishly

Will bring you joy and love untold.

Mother's Day

For many years you've been the BOMB!

The world's most awesome, sweetest MOM.

You always put yourself in last

To care for others hard and fast.

The many nights you did not sleep

You didn't whine nor even peep.

Your reward is in their smiles

Their love for you goes on for miles.

Many games you watched with joy

To show your love to your young boys.

You taught your girls to love to cook

To you they'll always want to look.

Gone from home they soon will be

Then their hearts will surely see.

They could not ask for someone more

'cause perfect love is at your core.

I could not ask for a better friend

Whose love and laughter never end.

I chose to love you for always

Far past the dreaded end of days.

Hand in hand we hang on tight

For that is what we know is right.

So on this special Mother's day

I pray that you will get your way.

Feed My Sheep

From Adam to the present day

The message of the gospel came.

To children of our Heavenly King

Each one he knows them by their name.

With Love for each dear child of God

We have been sent to teach his word.

His name is written in our heart

We must go forth and do our part.

We have been given his priesthood power

And charged to watch and feed his sheep.

As servants of the Son of God

We must strive on and never sleep.

For if we are to live with him

Our sacred trust we must fulfill.

That we may stand before his face

And be partakers of his grace.

Christmas King

In a stable far away

Our Father's only son is born.

He gave a star to point the way

Although his son, the world would scorn.

As shepherds watch their sheep each night

An angel speaks "be not afraid".

Following the star to this heavenly sight

The shepherds found the child and prayed.

Wise men from the east set out

To seek their King, the one foretold.

With gifts of love, they did not doubt

They found the Lord of prophets old.

He is our King, our Lord and friend

He came to us from heaven above.

He paid the price that we may mend

And return again to our God of love

Angel Child

Straight to us from heaven above

You taught us what it is to love.

When you smiled, laughed or cried

around your finger we were tied.

Pure as white winter snow

Among the angels you would go.

Our love for you will never cease

For that is what brings us peace.

Embraced by Father's only Son

You watch o'er us one by one.

As the sun brightens our day

Your memory with us will always stay

Remember as rain falls to the ground

They're tears of joy spread all around.

For we have been greatly blessed

To know one of God's very best.

Lost then Found!!

A broken lock, an open door

Freedom came with a painful price.

I would not know, for quite some time

Freedom's cost to break the vise.

The world says I betrayed a friend

Left by the wayside to save face.

Traveled for days with just one thought

The day will come I’ll ask for grace.

The one thing that I cherished most

Seemed lost to me at present time.

His trust in me had been undone

I now began a painful climb.

Those close to me were now on hold

That pain gnawed at my soul each night.

As each prayer rose, I heard him say

In dark you walk, then comes the light.

My friend seemed always at my side

At times he carried then just held.

I could not grasp his selfless love

His love for me would never yield.

Eternity had come and gone

Since that day I shunned my friend.

We’ve grown close, as brothers now

Light brings darkness to an end.

Those precious things that matter most

Have been restored an hundred fold.

Why did my friend give back to me

When I had left him in the cold?

My eyes were opened, I could see

My friend had paid for all my debts.

He took me in his holy arms

Pure love I felt without regrets.

Years have passed and time has shown

My friend and Savior lends his hand.

Hands and feet though scarred for me

Will lift us all, and with him stand.

I will always show my friend

My love for him to those I serve.

He gave to me the greatest gift

Of which I know I don’t deserve!!

Mission of Love

A servant of the Lord you chose to be

Clothed with priesthood power and glory.

Sent to teach his children the plan

Fulfilled by the Son of Man.

The light in your eyes will shine bright

For you are teaching truth and right.

Far from home you have gone

But never far from the Holy One.

Gospel truth will set them free

From earthly sorrow, you will see.

The lives you touch will honor you

Eternal blessings will accrue.

This time for you will be the best

For you have been truly blessed.

You were saved for these latter-days

To spread his word, and sing His praise.

Love the Lord and those you serve

With all your might, heart, soul and nerve.

The field is white and waits for you

To harvest souls both clean and true.

Return with honor is the cry

Look up to him, your head held high.

The Savior's love will inside you swell

For these two years have taught you well.

See Them As They Are

You came to us from heaven above

We could see Father in your eyes.

You had come to start your life

Filled with love, warm smiles and cries.

Broken dishes, broken hearts

This life was meant to test us all.

As time went by, It was hard to see

The Father in your eyes at all.

Time had taken from my sight

The person that our Father sees.

The world says that you’re no good

I pray that God will hear my pleas.

You’ve grown up fast, the time has come

To leave the nest, through our front door.

My sight is slowly coming back

I begin to see what I saw before.

I had a vision of who you are

The veil was taken from my sight.

Before my eyes stood majesty

Clothed in royal, holy light.

I don’t know why it took so long

For me to see who you really are.

I pray to always see you in that light

To always see you as you are!

The Olive Tree

He came into my garden sweet

A look of sorrow in his eyes.

He slowly walked beneath my limbs

Fell to the ground, I heard his cries.

Pain and sorrow were infinite

Far beyond what man could bear.

I tried to help but was in vain

My shade was all that I could share.

I saw the angel come to him

To strengthen Fathers only son.

Three times he asked, let this cup pass

But not my will, but thine be done.

As olives in the press make oil

Our Savior's blood dropped to the ground.

My leaves soaked up his precious blood

I stood in awe without a sound.

Now traitors enter at my gates

To take my maker, clean and pure.

A kiss was placed upon his cheek

A sign to those that he was sure.

Mocked and scorned by his own kind

He stood in majesty divine.

“For this purpose I did come

To purchase you and make you mine.”

“Father, Father where art thou?

My work on earth is now complete.”

His pain is swallowed up in joy

For death would suffer great defeat.

I'll always hold close to my heart

That day he knelt beneath my bough.

He spilled his blood for all that day

I won't forget, that is my vow.

Beautiful Creations

I walk along a beach of white

As peaceful waves caress the shore.

Palm trees sway in the gentle breeze

Inviting me, I'll show you more.

The grandeur of a snow-capped peak

Of valleys painted with God's brush.

Pure water flows from mountain streams

To feed the meadow green and plush.

The desert sun sets in the west

Revealing crimson, orange and gold.

The cactus waves to say goodnight

Another story has been told.

The river cuts through canyon walls

Bringing light to earth's old age.

The course it takes to reach the sea

fulfills its role upon life's stage.

Choice and Consequence!

God commanded Adam and Eve

Thou shall not eat fruit of that tree.

Bring to this earth my children dear

Teach them truth to make them free.

The serpent spoke to Eve and said

You must eat this fruit to learn.

The choice was made, not all was lost

With Father's plan all could return.

With sweat and tears they made their way

They taught their children, every one.

One of the brothers chose the dark

The war for souls had now begun.

He makes the world look so divine

So we will enter in his snare.

The smallest thread wound many times

Becomes a chain that cannot tear.

Once in his grasp we come to know

That wicked deeds no joy they bring.

With hands outstretched our Savior waits

He paid the price, He is our King.

The glory of this world is pale

Compared to what our Father hath.

We can be heirs of all his gifts

Stay on the strait and narrow path.

At times the test may seem too hard

Is it really worth the fight?

I see him in Gethsemane

Pay for our sins in just one night.

He only wants what's best for us

Return and live in heav'n above.

No matter what temptations come

He conquered all with Godly love.

In the Beginning...

Father and Son looked into space

From matter there, let us organize.

The earth was born to be our home

From cells and dust it began to rise.

He took the light and made it shine

The light was day and the absence night.

The pattern now is layed for us

Choose good not bad for that is right.

The sun he made to rule the day

The stars for when the sun goes down.

The light of day helps point the way

A chance to get a heavenly crown.

The land from water now must part

For Father said it must be done.

Dry land would soon become our home

Since we chose to follow the Son.

The barren ground would soon be green

Grass and trees sprang from the ground.

The beauty of the earth is great

The wind through trees is beautiful sound.

Next came the creatures big and small

To give us joy and food to eat.

We must take care of this great earth

Until its mission is complete.

There was no one to till the earth

Man came down and Adam was.

He could not be alone said He

Eve came to help him with his cause.

The earth was done and on a path

To save His children one by one.

We must help others see the light.

Of God's firstborn, His only Son.

My Child

Long before this life began

Upon the streets of gold you ran.

Your valiant soul was saved for last

For with the Son your lot was cast.

The shield you wear is not of earth

It is from He who gave you worth.

To be kept safe it must be worn

Not brushed aside with scoffs and scorn.

The enemy attacks all sides

He feeds upon our natural prides.

You can choose to heed him not

He only wants for you to rot.

You are the chosen youth today

Your courage gives us strength to stay.

Do not doubt nor do not fear

Your mission on this earth is clear.

The battle lines can be quite gray

Our Lord from us will never stray.

Stay true to what you have been taught

You’ll win the war that you have fought.

The only thing worth fighting for

Your Father gave you long before.

To make a choice was his great gift

That his Son may all uplift.

So if you wonder why you’re here

Remember you’re his child so dear.

He’s always by your side each day

You will feel that as you pray.

It’s not by chance that you chose me

You taught me much that I may see.

I’ll praise you all forever more

You helped me reach God’s golden shore.

My First Poem: The Test

Long ago we lived with the Father,

We basked in his glory in heaven above.

We knew the plan he created for us,

Would help us return and feel his love.

Tears of pain, tears of joy;

We leave loved ones and come to earth.

Earthly parents strong and pure,

Teach us now of our great worth.

Trials and tests are why we’re here.

Our hearts break as we strive to grow.

To find our way, Look to the Son

For me he suffered, that I know.

This trial of life is nearing end.

Choices made have brought me far.

My head held high, I followed God’s plan

Soon I’ll stand at judgments’ bar.

Love is eternal, love is divine

We are together, families once more.

Back to the arms of Father and Son

To gain all from Him we adore

The Price He paid

In an upper room he met

With apostles one through twelve.

One would not dare nor even bet

That Judas would in evil delve.

He took the bread, he blessed, he brake

Remember me and what I do.

For all I do is for your sake

I came to save Gentile and Jew.

He slowly passed the garden gate

Stay here with me, be still and pray.

The devil fought with all his hate

With hope our Lord would soon give way.

He knelt and prayed but would not bend

Three times he asked, let this cup pass.

The blood that fell would help us mend

If only we endure at last.

The traitor with a kiss betrayed

Our Lord they took in rope and chain.

With forty stripes his body frayed

Not once he wanted them in pain.

Upon his back a beam they placed

The pain, it forced him to his knees.

It seemed that up the hill they raced

To crucify the prince of peace.

To the cross his hands they nailed

Forgive them please, they do not know.

The earth cried out it quaked and wailed

His task complete, he beat the foe.

The morning of the third day came

An empty tomb was all they saw.

He lives again! Angels proclaim

He stands supreme without a flaw.

It is our task to seek him out

Help those in need with gifts of love.

He did all this, I have no doubt

May we return to live above.

Battle for Souls.

It started on a heavenly field

An older brother would not yield.

He said he could return each one

If we reject God's first born son.

Since you are here on earth to dwell

The Son, you chose, not he who fell.

The trials that you face on earth

Will only add to your great worth.

We shun those who would cause us harm

The prophets teach, don't trust the arm.

But when we're tried by him below

We tend to turn a shade yellow.

Why do we heed the one who hates

Who dwells behind hell's burning gates.

His wish for us...forever pain

To never have eternal gain.

Our Savior in the garden prayed

That Satan's grasp from us be stayed.

Forever in his debt we'll be

For what he did will make us free.

We can't fail now, much is at stake

Repent, repent when errors we make.

His arms are open to receive

If in His Son we will believe.