Seeds of Faith

We walk to edges where the light is thin,
To center faith on what remains unseen. 
A seed of trust within the heart is seen, 
From which our actions and our hope begin.

To feel the truth, experiment and try,
With patient hands, allow the seed to grow,
You'll find the strength and certainty to know,
In fertile soil, beneath a caring sky.

This faith dispels the shadows of despair, 
Replaced by positive, uplifting grace. 
A guiding truth that time will not efface.
In tasting light, its goodness we declare.

Thus, faith in Christ becomes our steady guide,
With hope and love, it ever will abide.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content taken from: Alma 32-35

Previous poem from 2020-07-19

What is Faith in Christ?

Centered on something not known,
Walk to the edge of light, unknown.
Receive that seed into your heart.
Take actions to give a good start.

How can we feel that it is true
Experiment the word and do.
Patience with the seed, it will grow.
Give place to flourish, you will know.

Helps to remove the negative.
Cultivate with the positive.
Taste this light for it's good to go.
Confirms my saying that I know. 

 Follow Along or Be Wrong

To frenzied minds, these words spread far and wide.
Do you now follow in this bold new way?
For there are those that did not move nor sway.
In truth, did I feel something deep inside?

Managing this new creature, seems absurd.
Prosper in life by my own hands alone.
No sin exists if the divine's unknown.
Can I partake in what’s so newly stirred?

Follow 'long, and I’ll lose my liberty.
This new morality leads hearts astray.
Selfish thoughts drive every step of the way.
Decisions made by a force, not by me.

Forsake the path of selfish vanity,
True freedom lies in life's humility.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content taken from: Alma 30-31

Previous Poem from 2020-07-12 

Do you follow Korihor?  

I hear the word by the chief judge,
It seems as though he didn't budge.
Bring many to a frenzied mind.
Did I actually feel aligned?

In this life prosper by my own,
No sin when divine is unknown.
Management of the creature, what?
Can I get a piece of that cut?

Follow this new morality,
It's selfish mentality.
Follow him I won't be free,
Decisions are not made by me.

 We Pray When Forgiven

I thank my God, given to us with grace,
Our hearts softened as we discuss our plight.
Removed guilt, now no more in madness' sight.
Change our ways, forgiven of sins' dark trace.

Never let our swords stain in wrath again,
But will give our own lives, amen, in peace.
Feel peace when guards of joy and hope decrease?
Can you be happy when life's hard, my friend?

Shake off old habits, start a life anew,
Live with integrity when falsehoods reign.
Sing praise, give thanks, let joy dispel the pain.
Yes, you can call the heavenly source true.

For He is my light, my joy, my employ,
In His embrace, my life finds fullest joy.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content taken from: Alma 23-29

Previous Poems from 2020-07-05

Prayer of the forgiven

I thank my God, given to us 
Our hearts softened and we discuss
Change our ways, forgiven of bad.
removed guilt, and now nor more mad.
Never let our swords stain again,
but will give our own lives, amen.

Daily Struggles 

Can you be happy when life's hard?
Feel peace when there is no guard.
Shake off old habits and start a new.
Live with integrity when others aren't true.

Yes you can, call the heavenly source.
Sing Praise, Give Thanks, for he's that force.
For he is my light and my joy.
Allows my life to fulfil my employ.

 Instruments of Faith and Light

In the Lord's vineyard, a labor of love,
Wax strong in knowledge of the truth of God,
Build sound intellect with a tireless nod.
Friendship bonds formed are blessed from above.

With prophecy and revelation, they taught,
Through prayer and fasting, they sought divine grace,
In the wilderness, they journeyed many days,
Seeking the Spirit’s guidance, never distraught.

To bring their brethren to the truth and light,
With patience in suffering, they pressed ahead.
Establishing the Lord’s word, they spread,
As instruments of salvation, shining bright.

With faith and love, mission never complete,
God's truth and light made their journey sweet.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content: Alma 17 - 22

Previous poem  2020-06-28

My Thoughts Unheard

Wishes to dwell among and serve.

Saved my flocks with a steady nerve.

I hear the words he speak,

Causes me to become weak.

O Lord, I ask grant me relief.

Remove this veil of unbelief.

By hunger and thirst I'm estranged.

My redeemer seen, my heart changed.

Paths of Faith and Destiny & Profound Divine Certainty

Paths of Faith and Destiny

Prove your predestined fate? 'Tis true or not.
Chosen and faithful you're foreseen to be.
But choose you must to the utmost degree.
Listen to heart, not harden to what's taught.

Your actions, whether good or bad in sight,
Shape both your spirit and your mind's own plight.
Choose wisely, for their impact can ignite,
As much as a spiritual fight takes flight.

I weep with friends who face death's cold embrace,
Sharing their grief, joy's moments, without fear.
For in faith's light, death's dread does disappear,
Their souls find joy in eternal grace.

Choose your path wisely, for deeds shape your soul's plight,
In faith's embrace, find joy where fears take flight.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content: Alma 13 - 16

Profound Divine Certainty 

It is true, I am weak, enough to weep.
For friends and kindred, lost to death’s embrace.
Sympathy’s soul in every tear-tracked face.
I shed my tears, when others’ sorrows seep.

I weep with them, their grief within my heart.
Rejoice with them, in joy’s transcendent flight.
For in this world, it does not bring me fright.
Yet mourn I not, as death does play its part.

For faithful souls, death's fear is no more,
Temporal dread, dissolved in faith's pure light,
Christ’s righteousness bestows eternal sight,
As Adam's sin brought death to mankind's shore.

In death, they find a joy that will not fade,
For they shall rise again, in light arrayed.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content: Alma 14

Previous Poem  2020-06-21

Sympathy of Soul  

After the order of His Son.
Ordained to choose to get good done.
I dare not rehearse the matter.
wrest or twist the Word will splatter.

We see evil being done to all,
Smitten on cheek, what will befall.
Pain felt now, but glory greater,
For the righteous comes later.

How can I stand by watching this?
Blood of the innocent will hiss.
Will stand as witness as a shield.
Repentant believer will yield.

From the Inside Out & Engraven upon you

From the Inside Out

Show that a change has happened in your life.

A change that is more spiritual and pure.

Motivating a life that can endure.

Building conviction, not just mental strife.

All thoughts, interests, conduct now refocused.

You are not converted till your heart is new.

A transformation pure, divine, and true.

Where you are now born of God, so blessed.

The world might take one out of bad domains,

But Christ will take the bad out from the soul.

And find their spirit suddenly made whole.

Then they themselves escape such earthly chains.

The world molds people, changing their veneer,

But Christ will change the nature held so dear.

Engraved Upon You

Our garments washed to white before the Lord,

Through soiled deeds and thoughts that darkly stain,

Cleansed by the Lamb's pure blood, we lose the chain,

To stand absolved when judgment's time is scored.

Can we discard our pride and envy’s hoard,

For others loom so large within our eyes,

That we feel small, and act with dark disguise,

As if their gain makes us less to be adored.

The world proclaims we need both wealth and praise,

More handsome, more admired, possessions grand,

Yet in God’s eyes, all equally do stand,

No treasures more or less, within His gaze.

He loves us all, our flaws and strengths embraced,

In His great race, against sin we are graced.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content: Alma 5-7

Previous Poem from 2020-06-07

https://mylookonthebookofmormon.blogspot.com/2020/06/born-again.html

Born Again 

You should hear me, I verbalize

with vigour of my soul advise.

Image of God engraven on,

shown but not drawn with your crayon.

What it means to be born again?

Walking like him and don't pretend.

Looking at others through his eyes.

Speak of those with the greatest prize.

Change colors of your tie dye shirt.

Green of envy leaves lots a dirt.

Clean or bleach them to remove blue.

Strip out purple pride to clean you.

Careful not to touch unclean things

mingled names definitely stings.

Guide the People to do Right

Guide the People to do Right

Righteous kings, though just, shall not endure,

Judges now rise from voices cast by vote.

God’s wrath descends, as ancient prophets wrote.

Spoken that all be wicked and impure.

The Spirit of Truth, a sole guide to teach, 

Shun the wicked ways. The world shows it's schemes,

Pride, unchecked, degrades our loftiest dreams.

For the Lord’s promise does our souls beseech.

 Thy deeds shall show the harvest thou dost reap,

 Whether in goodness or in vile deceit.

 For wickedness in shadows dark does creep, 

And pride’s sly entry hearts must vigilant meet. 

 Yet, by His grace, if righteousness we seek, 

We shall not fall, nor find our souls so weak.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)

Content: Mosiah 29 - Alma 4

Previous Poem from 2020-05-31

https://mylookonthebookofmormon.blogspot.com/2020/05/judges-rule-kings-drool.html

Judges Rule, Kings Drool

Righteous kings will not always last.

Judges come from votes that are cast.

If the voice of all are wicked.

God's wrath awaits as predicted.

Spirit of Truth is way to teach

Bad things of world never preach.

Promise of the Lord will protect

Yet pride will degrade if unchecked.

Your works do show rewards you reap.

Good or bad you will have to keep. 

Wickedness enters from the back.

Pride enters your heart, give no slack.

Rebirth and a Power once Told

Rebirth

In lands divided, Nephites now unite,
A people numbered with God's holy name,
Through baptism's waters, faith takes aim,
And peace was promised, yet unrest took flight.

Unbelievers, children of the Saints' seed,
Persecuted their kin, hearts turned from light.
Alma's son and Mosiah's, lost might,
An angel's visit turned from that need.

Conversion's miracle, for all to find,
Not in the angel's sight, but hearts reborn.
Alma the Younger, with his heart did morn,
From vilest sinner to a saint, aligned.

Repentance, forgiveness, God's will obeyed,
Through Christ, we're born anew, our debts allayed.

A Power once Told 

In tales of old, King Mosiah's decree,
Echoes of liberation sweetly sung,
In awe of goodness, grateful hearts brung,
From bonds of anguish, souls at last set free.

Yet midst the triumph, shadows lingered near,
The Lamanites' blade brought sorrow's rain,
In desperate need of solace to regain.
Their cries unheard, their anguish crystal clear.

Through trials deep, the path of change they showed,
Seeking redemption for the fractured soul,
Unseen, yet potent, the truth to extol.
In youth's embrace, the seeds of wisdom sowed.

Confessions whispered, repentance begun,
In penitence, the journey to be won.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)
Content taken from: Mosiah 25-28

Previous Poem 

https://mylookonthebookofmormon.blogspot.com/2020/05/power-of-scriptures-new-creature.html

Power of Scriptures 2020-05-24  

Now we're together to discuss
King Mosiah has read to us
Our stories that are amazing.
Delivery from bondage, praising.

Slain by Lamanites, distressing.
Think of goodness of God, blessing. 
Pain filled and anguish for their soul.
Made more changes to become whole.

Great is the teaching in your youth
Unrecognized he'll be in truth.
Confess your sins and repent some.
Go and do this to overcome.

Faith and Strength

What’s your desire? Should it be so bold,

Mourn and bring comfort to those in need,
Stand as a witness, uphold your creed.

Come unto God and join His holy fold.

Be baptized in His name, let it show,
And you’ll gain that eternal, sacred glow.
Go forward with faith, though prayers seem slow,
For past sins cleansed by a divine wand’s flow.

Even the righteous face trials and strife,
Your weakness shall transform to strength so strong,
By His will, endurance will prolong.

Yet patience and smiles sustain their life.

Lift up your head, be at ease and find peace,
For burdens lighter bring hearts sweet release.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)
Content taken from: Mosiah 18-24

Previous Poem 2020-05-17

What's your desire

Should your desire be so bold,
Come unto God and join his fold.
Mourn and comfort to those in need.
Stand as a witness is your creed.
Be baptized in his name to show
and you'll gain that eternal glow.

Go Forward with Faith

He hears prayers yet slow to respond,
For our past sins he waves a wand.
Even the righteous have trials,
By patience they last with smiles.
Your weakness will be made stronger,
By His divine will it last's longer.
Lift up your head, be of good ease
Lighter your burdens are than these.

One of True Example

 One of True Example

In days when King Noah ruled with pride and sin,
His heart was cold, his ways corrupt and vain,
To warn of judgment, calling to abstain.
The prophet Abinadi did begin.

“Repent,” he cried, “and turn unto the Lord,
For wickedness shall bring a heavy hand,
Obey His laws, heed now this last command,
Destruction comes, fulfill ye God’s own word.”

In chains they bound the prophet, mocked his plea,
Yet steadfast in his faith he stood alone,
Through Christ the path to mercy would be shown.
Proclaiming Christ, salvation pure and free.

Though martyred, his bold testimony’s flame,
Inspired Alma, turning hearts to God’s name.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)
Content taken from: Mosiah 7-10

Previous poem 2020-05-10

True Example of Abinadi 

Courage to share with you and I 
Obedience to the Lord's way.
Faithful to covenants, not stray.
How many warnings is needed.

Or are you too much conceded.
Are the ten commandments still good?
Love of God and others you should.
By the law alone we're not saved.
Salvation from Sin or enslaved.
Tis the only gateway, through Christ.
As if Gospel and Law are spliced.

Defending Faith 

From northern lands, desire to return.
To find our brethren trapped in bondage,
By foes demanding constant homage.
Ammon and team set forth to learn.

An ancient record hidden, recent found.
No seer around, its secrets to discern.
Performing miracles with no concern.
A gift from God, a prophet's grace profound.

Against the fierce Lamanites we fought,
Defending all our rights with steadfast might.
Prosperous with the Lord's guiding light,
Their children hatred's lessons sadly taught.

With faith, we rise and stand with noble pride,
Together, strong, with love we shall abide.

 Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)
Content taken from: Mosiah 7-10

Previous Poems 2020-05-03  

From the north desire to return
Ammon and team went to learn
to find our brethren in bondage.
forcing them to pay homage.

An ancient record had been found
Not read,  a seer was not around.
Gift from God, greater than prophet
Make great miracles with no profit

We fought against the Lamanites.
Defend ourselves, protect our rights.
Prosper with the Lord as our might.
They taught children to hate and fight. 

Manifest the Master in You

Come to know the glory of God in you.
For his name should be written in your heart.
This changed heart can change the world, the whole part.
Gain this peace of conscience, all the way through.

Look for times to grant mercy to others.
Help others fallen with infirmity,
In hunger or distress, on bended knee.
Cause there'll be times we ask another's.

Claim with one voice, "We believe" what's spoken.
The Lord's words surging through us every day.
In surety and truth, in spirit believe
We're born of him can you feel it woken.

For it's important that we hear his voice.
Respond to the promptings for it's our choice.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC EFFE GG)
Content taken from: Mosiah 4-6

Previous Poem    2020-04-26_Mosiah4-6

Walk in his ways

Our sins alone we cannot cure
Need power beyond to endure.
Atoning blood of Christ applied
Joy in our heart that's purified.

Those extending their hand in need.
Don't deny, aid them to proceed.
In wisdom and order do all,
Can exhaust you chasing the ball.

Fear ye shall perish, watch yourself.

In thought, word and deed prove oneself.
Take upon you the name of Christ,
Willingness to do all sufficed.

 Implore You

My struggle I had, with God, it was not.
Pour out my whole heart before Him was smart.
For my father's words sank deep in my heart.
With a desire so great that my soul fought.

With diligence follow in word and deed
I now struggle in all things, blow by blow.
Yet with patience in all, my faith will show.
Prove my reward is worth it, I'm agreed.

Remember for it has been promised
Ask, and it's given you.
Seek, and it'll find you.
Knock, it opens for you.

Enos prayed for us, a reminder
To pray for all of us to be kinder.

Written format: Sonnet (ABBA CDDC irregular GG)
Content taken from: Enos

Previous Poem -

Greater Can I Become

Grateful to my fathers teaching.
I feel my sins are far-reaching. 
Led to my wrestle before God.
Penitent I'm hungered and flawed.

Voice of the Lord gave peace to mind.
Further prayed for all of mankind.
Further down the road their whole souls
Given to the Lord with higher goals.