27: The Choice of Jerusalem

Mosiah 26: 3

And now because of their unbelief

they could not understand the word of God;

and their hearts were hardened.

The Choice of Jerusalem

Summer 07, 1/6/08, 2/1/08

Had I been in Jerusalem

The time The King first came

Would I have mocked, and spurned, and scorned

His Blessed, Holy Name?

Would I have walked in wondering steps

The path that Jesus trod?

Would I have known those steps to mark

The only way to God?

I am not in Jerusalem

But still I have this choice

To stray or fight the truth He speaks

Or heed His Holy Voice.

You, as well, must make your choice

For hope He died to give

To heed or hate, the choice is yours,

His gift that we might live.

The Jewish religion is one of the oldest in the world. It was the parent of Christianity. Yet so few of the Jews were willing to recognize the Messiah when He came because He was not the answer they wanted.

Here, in this time, I was raised in Christianity and understand how and why it had to be as it was - the suffering Messiah before the conquering Messiah. But if I was not raised to understand, I wonder how foreign and strange it would seem to me. Sometimes I try to think of the world and how I would perceive everything without this knowledge and then how I would react to someone telling me of the gospel. It has allowed me build a stronger testimony of its truth and I hope I would have had the strength of character to truly listen, consider, and accept it had I been there back then.

24: Unfinished Prayer

Alma 36:17-20

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard by father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

Unfinished Prayer

12/06

I walk life's roads not knowing where

The journey's end may be

And now life's questions cloud my heart -

Oh, Lord! Please help me see!

Oh, Lord, please help me know my place  -

Where I am and where I go

And if I've worth - then what it is

Oh, Lord! Please help me know.

And Lord, if Thou wouldst heal this heart

Where hurt has hid so long

That I may now be free of fear

That right may come from wrong.

The Lord allows the horrible to happen because we must all have the opportunity to prove ourselves. He does not condone bad behavior nor does He forget those who suffer because of it. It is  through His atonement and redeeming sacrifice that allows for right to come from wrong. By keeping His commandments and enduring to the end, we are enabled by His grace to make more than circumstances would otherwise allow.

People can do horrible things to each other, things I have no experience with even in my difficult life. Yet it is those who have overcome the worst that have gained the most compassion and wisdom and power to do good because they know and understand far more than those who have lived more sheltered lives. Even those who have made the ill choices have this opportunity through repentance. While it is not better that they have those experiences of wrong-doing, the truth of their experience can have a stronger impact in encouraging others to avoid the same mistakes.

17: Awakened Dreams

D&C 88: 118

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

Awakened Dreams

4/14/05, 5/12/06

The world can be a scary place

But something sets me free

With music of another world

To dream how things can be.

Emotion raw, emotion pure

Great thoughts to ride upon

Truth spoken there for all to hear

Where minds are later drawn.

Awakened dreams once long forgot

Are stirred within its wake

That yet, perhaps, there is a chance

Of dreams a future make.

Ennobled heart, so tired once

Now stands with life anew

Fresh strength to walk that higher road

To show those dreams as true.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to the power of story and song. I have probably read more than a couple thousand books and  seem to have an insatiable appetite for good stories. They have so much to learn from, be it understanding of different people and situations, communication, economics, society, politics, government, science, humanity - life overall. And in these stories I see purpose and value in life and so many parallels that demonstrate gospel principles whether they are obvious or understood through the character's lack of understanding. It provides an energy and centering effect on me and tends to have the greatest ability to restore my balance when life throws curve-balls.