Plates of Gold

To Joseph Smith, Moroni came
Bringing truths from prophets past.
He showed him where the records lay
Beneath a stone, where they would last.

Four long years, he humbly waits
Each year he learns more of God's plan.
At last the plates are in his care
Translation comes from God, not man.

Closer to God you will become 
As you abide the precepts taught.
Believe in Christ is the message clear
That in Satan's trap, you're not caught.

Serve your fellow man each day 
That's how we show our Savior's love.
We don't deserve the mercy shown
That Father sends us from above. 

The natural man, he is my foe
Has always been, since time began.
If I yield to the still small voice
I will become a righteous man.

Pride always comes before the fall
Will that cycle never end?
The great deceiver softly speaks 
Rules are made to break and bend. 

Faith is the key to happiness
We hold fast to the iron rod. 
The seed we plant, nurture we must
So it will grow in gospel sod.

Prayer is what we daily need
It brings our will in line with God’s.
Strength it brings, when all seems lost
To overcome, against all odds.

Christ atoned for all our sins
That the full price we would not pay.
A broken heart and spirit contrite
Will assure with Christ I stay.

Prophecies of Christ abound
He is your savior, you will learn.
He will be born, and he will die
That we, to him, will always turn.

All these truths we have been taught
As words that come from the dust.
The Book of Mormon teaches all
In Jesus Christ we place our trust.

He came for me!!

Thirty three years had come and gone

Since the day a new star shined.

All the prophets testified

Of what he suffered for mankind.

The day began just like before

All just trying to get ahead.

The world would make a drastic change

For it’s creator now was dead.

It groaned and shook for many hours

‘Till all the wicked were no more.

God hid their sins from his wet eyes

It pained Him to the very core.

The Savior of the world had died

His task to save the world, complete.

Back to his Father to report

He did His will, an endless feat.

The world had changed, so much was new

Their homes they did not recognize.

All gathered to the temple grounds

Pleading that God would hear their cries.

From the heavens came a voice

This is my son, how pleased am I.

Jesus came from heaven above

He came to bless and sanctify.

Come touch my side and feel my hands

That ye may know the Great I AM.

I am the shepherd long foretold

Come kneel with me, my precious lamb.

He blessed each child, healed the sick

Prayed to the Father for their sakes.

Each one begged that he would stay

He wept and said, I’ll not forsake.

How I wish we had been there

To bathe his feet, with flowing tears.

His love for us transcends all time

Our faith in him destroys all fears.

Best Friends

Long before this life began,
We stood together hand in hand.
You came first to prepare the way,
I had to wait, so we'd meet someday.

The life you had before we met,
Prepared you for the best life yet.
You weathered storms with awesome charm,
So someday we'd be arm in arm.

You like to call me your shining knight
'Tis you who brought the glorious light.
It blesses all who you have met,
Including both your loving pets.

You have made my life complete,
Filled with joy you make it sweet.
I do not wish it ever end,
Together we'll forever spend.

The love you show our children dear,
Teaches them that God is near.
Your blessed name they'll not forget,
For they're forever in your debt.

You have been my greatest friend,
And that, my love, will never end.
That's the beauty of His plan,
Our families to forever span.

The day will come that you'll be crowned,
Free from trial no longer bound.
You and I again will stand,
With our children, hand in hand.

Return With Honor

Two years have passed as if a dream
The end would never come it seemed.
The days turned into weeks then years
I never thought I'd shed these tears.

A part of me will always stay
With those I helped to find their way.
Some received me as a friend
And others, well...they would not bend.

My clothes are worn, my soles are sore
I wish I could stay one year more.
Two years is just not long enough
To polish stones, that once were rough.

The things I've learned will always cling
Close to my heart, much joy to bring.
This mission does not have to end
If I upon the Lord depend.

Some say it is a sacrifice
I beg to differ, maybe thrice.
The things I've learned and come to know
Have strengthened me and helped me grow.

Bittersweet the end has been
These brothers, sisters now are kin
Part of me they have become
Together we're a greater sum.

I left it all in the mission field
Except for faith's perfect shield.
I Return with honor to my name
My head held high no trace of shame

Teaching Tools

The job was finished, all was done
The tools were put into the chest.
The hammer, saw and electric drill
Had done their part, their very best.

Do you see what we just built?
Said the saw to his hammer friend.
This building is a work of art
One I highly recommend.

Hammer replied with heightened pride
If not for me, walls would not be.
Very true, came saw’s reply
The work you’ve done, all can see.

Don’t forget the part I played
Said drill to hammer and to saw.
I tied it all together strong
Not one mistake nor one small flaw.

My little tools why cant you see
The work was done by my own hand.
Because of you much work was done
You were part of a bigger plan.

You were created for this end
To build my kingdom selflessly.
Now all can come and celebrate
Because you worked endlessly

The Invitation - A short story

There once was a young man who was, what some would say, a very good, clean and honest man.  He always did his best to do the right thing.  The holidays were getting closer and people began to talk of a wonderful, exciting social event that would be taking place.  Everyone who was anyone would be there.  There would only be a few personal invitations handed out to the general public for this event.  Those invitations were highly coveted.  This young man did not really think of going because it was not something he felt was that important.  

After work on his walk home, a gentleman stopped next to him in what appeared to be a very expensive, very luxurious car.  He introduced himself and personally extended one of these personal invitations to this young man.  The gentleman told him that he had been watching him and he was impressed with his work and felt that this young man deserved the invitation.  The young man thought for a few minutes and then accepted the invitation with the thought, “It may actually be a lot of fun, I will get to meet many famous people and It may help me improve my position in life.”  

He was picked up in a chauffeured car and arrived at the party, which was an extremely well organized event.  The food and drinks were exceptional and the people who attended were very well known and powerful.  “This is going to be a great experience.” He began mingling with others,  and as he began talking with others, he realized that people knew things about him without him knowing anything about them.  

He began to be uncomfortable and tried to leave the party, but with so many people there, he was not able to find the exit and was constantly distracted as he was trying to find his way out of this now worsening situation.  He was being derided, laughed at for trying to leave this “wonderful, awesome party.”  After struggling for what felt like days, He was finally able to find his way out after much work.  

Upon exiting the party, he was met by his brother, who he had not seen for many, many years.  His brother had a feeling to come, but was not sure why.  Upon embracing, his brother asked why he had come to this party and was told by the young man that he had been personally invited by a very powerful gentleman because he was being rewarded for being a dedicated worker.  The brother asked the young man to point out who had invited him and upon pointing out to his older brother who had invited him, the brother began to weep.  The young man not knowing what was happening asked his older brother what was the matter.  The older brother told the young man that the person who had invited him to the party was directly responsible for destroying the lives, physically and spiritually of many he knew and loved, and the only reason the young man was invited was so that he would be mocked, scorned and made fun of by those who were responsible for the horrible things done to their loved ones, and in that way, ultimately destroy him as they had destroyed so many others.

The young man slowly became aware of who had invited him and began to remember things that he had previously forgot about this individual.  He felt horrible that he had not known more about the man who had invited him.  

His older brother was very understanding and the young man now committed to know everything he could about those who invite him to do things no matter how good they may appear to be. He never wanted to be responsible for hurting those he loved by listening to someone who had caused so much pain and suffering for him and countless others, who had no love for him whatsoever and wanted him destroyed.

Learn to listen, listen to remember, remember to live!