1 Corinthians 6:19-20

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Sonnet 751 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

So you, who could not fix a broken straw
Or unify all physics, large and small
Or make a spider's web or keep the law
Or beat the common cold or city hall.

So you, a helpless babe to start your days
Impatient, unconcerned and uninformed
Are blessed beyond your merit in the ways
The functions of your body are performed.

This body made with such exquisite skill
This miracle of purpose and of art
This engine of your wants and needs and will
This agent of the mind and of the heart.

You didn't build or even have intent
The Maker made this temple, you just rent.

Acts 3:19-20 #2

Sonnet 749 Acts 3:19-20 #2

It's cool to be a part of something fresh
To be upon the cutting edge of change
To be an actual witness in the flesh
To something that's momentous or that's strange.

And better still to make a faithful note
Of how you felt and what you saw and heard
That someday people reading what you wrote
Will have a better sense of what occurred.

And so take notice of  this rolling stone
That fills the earth with restoration's views
In every writ and prophet's message shown
As earth and heaven's greatest ever news.

You are a witness to this grand event
The preparation for the Lord's descent.

Acts 3:19-20

Acts 3:19-21
 19 ¶Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Sonnet 748 Acts 3:19-20

How many converts in the crowd, we ask
And just a few will “show of hand” reply
While those baptized at eight or so will bask
In the delusion such does not apply.

And some, in fact, neglect the effort to
Become converted, turned, and penitent
And then as their unblotted sins accrue
They lose the way and will to then repent.

Conversion isn't culture or good taste
It isn't learning jargon or routines
It's being born anew, and laying waste
To natural man and all his natural means.

Born in the Church, I hasten to maintain
Is not the same as being “born again”.

Acts 2:36-38

Acts 2:36-38
 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
 37 ¶Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sonnet 747 Acts 2:36-38

The sequence here is classic one, two, three
First, there's the who, the what, the where, the when:
God made the Christ and plain for all to see
This sacred Son was crucified by men.

And second there's the consequence of sin
The problem or the tension of the plot
“What shall we do?” we offer with chagrin
“We're in the wrong, and tortured by the thought.”

Then thirdly there is resolution found
The answer to our anguish can be heard
Remission and the loosing of the bound
Through loving invitation from the Word.

Repent and be baptized my sin-bound friend
And all can be forgiven in the end.

John 17:3

John 17:3
 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Sonnet 509 John 17:3

It’s all in who you know, they sometimes say
In pointing out this commonest of trends
For those who hand out favours have a way
Of serving first the needs of their best friends.

And even God insists that you know him
And Jesus Christ, begotten only son
And this is no negotiable whim
Without it your eternity’s undone.

And such a deal might seem a bit unfair
To those who find no joy in knowing God
But since his invitation is to share
The justice of the choice is no façade.

The tender mercy of the Prince of love
Will freely lift each willing friend above.

John 14:15

John 14:15
 15 ¶If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Sonnet 746 John 14:15

Commandments are a blessing from on high
The inside scoop on how to live your days
Precautions against trouble coming nigh
A compass to direct all means and ways.

Commandments are a blessing from the Lord
Decoding all the mysteries of life
Protection much more potent than the sword
A shield against a world of constant strife.

Commandments are a blessing for the wise
A coach, an aide, a help, a lift, a right
A gift, a boon, a good, a strength, a prize
A way, a truth, a life, a rock, a light.

Commandments are a blessing from above
The means for God and man to share their love.

John 14:6

John 14:6
 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Sonnet 745 John 14:6

We sometimes glide across important words
Not stopping to determine what they mean
But I say pay attention to all thirds
Because they signal places we should glean.

Sometime ago I figured, just for me
That “study” “pray” and “work” engendered most
Of all the concepts bundled up by three
And my response is thereby diagnosed.

So Christ as “way” and “truth” and “life” reminds
Me of those duties that I sometimes shirk
And of the faithful triplet thread that winds
Through all of prayer and study and of work.

Yes He's the way, the truth, the life and so
My study, prayer and work will need to grow.

John 3:5

John 3:5
 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Sonnet 744 John 3:5

There is a Father of your spirit soul
The Great and Grand eternal God of all
Whose work and glory is to make you whole
An heir to life eternal's homeward call.

And you were born of earthly parents too
And so a second father came to be
A gift to make your days both long and true
A branch to seal you to a family tree.

And water and the Spirit give effect
To third rebirth, that miracle of grace
The only way to cleanse and to perfect
The sinner who would seek the holy place.

And when reborn, by this third Father claimed
Commanded and remembered and renamed.

Luke 24:36-37

Luke 24:36-39
 36 ¶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Sonnet 743 Luke 24:36-39

The promise of a resurrection day
Is in those marks upon His hands and feet
The evidence He overcame the clay
And rose in death's inglorious defeat.

And more so is the promise to us all
That resurrection counts for us as well
And if we heed to heaven's loving call
We'll rise above the chains of death and hell.

And if you sing that your Redeemer lives
And pray in secret for confirming grace
And ponder on the wisdom scripture gives
And all His kind and good commands embrace.

Then you will find within as proof sincere
A peace that passeth every mortal  fear.

Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19-20
19 ¶Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Sonnet 742 Matthew 28:19-20

There's Superman and Spiderman and Hulk
There's Power Rangers, X Men and much more
These comic superheros come in bulk
With umpteen super powers in the corps.

The notion of abilities beyond
All mixed up with a “good and evil” fight
And triggered by a cape or costume donned
Will fill most any fan with great delight.

And yet we know there's nothing of the kind
Like Yeti and the unicorn or such
These heroes are just constructs of the mind
Imagination overworked too much.

But put a mission badge on any one
And God will make him super til he's done.

Matthew 22:36-39

Matthew 22:36-39
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
 38 This is the first and great commandment.
 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Sonnet 741 Matthew 22:36-39

If you would know and keep these two commands
There is no better recipe or school
No better explanation of demands
Than what we call the Savior's Golden Rule.

And also there are parables He taught
That put some extra flesh upon this bone
See what the Good Samaritan has brought
Or think of  Sheep and Goats before the throne.

Or you could do a quick review of things
That give you so much joy you lose the cost
If such that turn your mind or pull heart strings
Are selfish or just vapid  then you're lost.

The only true and lasting lifetime art
Is serving God and man with all your heart.

Matthew 16:15-19 (#6)

Sonnet 740 Matthew 16:15-19 (#6) Bind on Earth – Bound in Heaven

In heaven there are passages we know
That will not lock or yield to any key
Except such key be wielded here below
Upon the force of heavenly decree.

Why can't a child be baptized up above
Or temples be among the mansions there
Why must some things be tied or let go of
Down here before God blesses the affair?

I have to think the answer would be clear
If memories of heaven were not sealed
But since we have no recall of that sphere
We have to go with just what's been revealed.

And that gives so much meaning to life's day
Perhaps that's why He worked it out this way.

Matthew 16:15-19 (#5)

Sonnet 739 Matthew 16:15-19 (#5) The Keys of the Kingdom


The concept and the substance of a key
Is matched or messaged in this simple word
The opposite or foil, plain to see-
Where there's a key, a “lock” must be inferred.

While earthly doors and gates are often locked
And keys required to pass through such a wall
There's something much more seriously blocked
And that's the tree of life beyond the fall.

And sin and death and misery yield up
Their hold, to keys the Master forged in pain
Unlocking as He chose the bitter cup
Each banished child from Adam's ball and chain.

And now the Master locksmith shares these keys
With almost countless priesthood appointees.

Matthew 16:15-19 (#4)

Sonnet 738  Matthew 16:15-19  (#4) Upon this Rock I Will Build My Church

The church of God must ever have its seer
Be led in mercy by a prophet's hand
A revelator who can feel and hear
And pass in love to others God's command.

And vital as it is to have this head
A prophet seer and revelating rock
If followers can ever  be misled
That still could be a fatal stumbling block.

So each and every member needs this gift
And gets it by the laying on of hands
To have the Holy Ghost to teach and lift
And guide him through the worst of life's demands.

And standing ever at the door, the Rock
Invites us all to open to His knock.

Matthew 16:15-19 (#3)

Sonnet 737  Matthew 16:15-19 (#3) Flesh and Blood Hath Not Revealed It

The air is full of messages of hope
Of testimony singing in the wind
Beyond all flesh and blood in power and scope
A balm, a joy, a rescue for the sinned.

The witness is a universal thing
The signal ever strong and sharp and true
A light, a burning feeling and a sting
A dream, a gift, delightful as the dew.

But flesh and blood can easily resist
Distract, forget, deny and even lie
It's sinful pleasures cannot coexist
With revelation beyond earth and sky.

So be believing and enjoy the rain
Of wisdom flesh and blood cannot obtain.

Matthew 16:15-19 (#2)

Sonnet 736 Matthew 16:15-19 (#2)  Thou art the Christ

And so the only answer is this one
This vivid, short, expression of a fact
This testimony of the Father's Son
In simple words, straight forward, and exact.

He is the Christ! The Savior of us all
And such a declaration stands alone
As truth upon which nations rise and fall
The ultimate, the crowning stepping stone.

And every man or woman ever born
Is blessed by this atoning agent's love
Invested with the chance to share His scorn
Then take a mansion with Him up above.

And everyone can know that this is true
That's everyone. That's me. That's them. That's you!

Matthew 16:15-19

Matthew 16:15-19
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Sonnet 735 Matthew 16: 15-19 But Whom Say Ye That I Am?

If you would want a temple recommend
Or to be baptized or to be ordained
Then you will be expected to attend
An interview before this is obtained.

And such will be the pattern of the hour
That you will hear this question with your call
“Do you believe through inspiration's power
In Jesus Christ the Savior of us all?”

And all will hinge upon an answer true
The build, the opening, the keys, the ties
That bind and loose. It flows from how you do
With this grand quest. The interviewer's prize.

The Bishop's question echos in your ear
“Whom say ye that I am?” is what you hear.

Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28-30
28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Sonnet 505 Reflections on Matthew 11: 28-30

The yoke has been a genius way to pack
As long as any cargo has been hauled
You cannot share the power of legs and back
Unless some sort of harness is installed.

And best to be yoked up with someone strong
Enough to lighten any sort of weight
Someone whose help is never slight or wrong
Who offers peace and rest without debate.

And burdens much more grave than gravity
Like sin and loss and grief and death and pain
Are carried in that endless cavity
That such a yoke can lift without a strain.

Why heap your burdens in a careless pile
When He would help you carry them in style?

Matthew 5:14-16 (#2)

Sonnet 734 Matthew 5:14-16 (#2)

How many of us bathed in gospel light
Ordained, baptized and blessed by sacred rite
Deny the breadth, the power and the height
By keeping such a blessing out of sight?

And do we realize our common plight
That having now been blessed with heaven's light
And should we then refuse to fight the fight
We thus commit an unforgiving slight?

And how hard can it be in such a night
With truth and beauty shining ever bright
To sing, to talk, to shout, to share, to write
And glorify the Father with our light?

Forever have the holders of this light
Been told to shine it forth with all their might.

Matthew 5:14-16

The New Testament

Matthew 5:14-16
 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Sonnet 733 Matthew 5:14-16

The virtue of humility is great
A deep and solemn duty of the saint
This opposite of pride-fulness and hate
A friend to love and cousin to restraint.

Yet sometimes it's confused with lesser traits
The reticent, the shy, the timid souls
May think they're humble in their fearful states
Denying the great weakness of these roles.

There's hidden selfishness in holding back
In guarding for yourself against the night
In failing to be kind with those who lack
The joys and the blessings of your light.

So gather up your courage and step out
And let your gospel light shine all about.

Moroni 10:4-5

Moroni 10:4-5
 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Sonnet 508 Moroni 10:4-5

When baking something wonderful and sweet
Like bread or cake or pie or quiche or tart
The recipe for such a pleasant treat
Requires attention to its every part.

You won’t get far if features are left out
(A bread without its leavening won’t rise)
And so the baker wisely is devout
To every step the recipe applies.

And recipes for following truth’s way
Must be a code worth more than any bread
And more important therefore to obey
The rules that lead to such a golden thread.

So ponder each instruction in this verse
The most important recipe on earth.

Moroni 7:45, 47-48

Moroni 7:45, 47-48
 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Sonnet 732 Moroni 7:45;47-48

This Christ-like love is quite a bit to bear
You cannot keep your favourites that way
You'll have to dine with publicans and share
The suffering of every man's dismay.

You'll have to learn and try the healer's art
You'll work to set the sinful captive free
The poor and hungry will invade your heart
You'll tell the stranger “Come and follow me.”

And then your loaves and fishes will increase
Your insufficient talents will suffice
And you will find a deep unworldly peace
A pure enduring pearl without price.

This love that only comes through heartfelt prayer
Is worth whatever cost you have to bear.

Moroni 7:41

Moroni 7:41
 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
Sonnet 731 Moroni 7:41

We line up for a ticket or a chance
We crowd to get to where the dice are thrown
We pull upon the handle in a trance
True reasons for this madness left unknown.

If questioned we will give the story thus
“We do it for the thrill and for the fun,
It's harmless entertainment – why the fuss?”
And then continue gambling 'til we're done.

We do not seem to understand what makes
Us play until we've been completely skinned
What inner craving falsely by this takes
Our common sense and throws it to the wind?

If we reject the only hope that's true
Some vain and foolish hope will have to do.

Ether 12:27

Ether 12:27
 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Sonnet 730 Ether 12:27

A farmer who will not look out for weeds
Is likely to have trouble in his fields
And even if he plants all healthy seeds
There will be disappointment in his yields.

The greatest sin and curse of life is pride
Because the prideful will not see their faults
And thus without perspective they're denied
The perfect way to better their results.

To understand the nature of their plight
The wise and humble of the earth will seek
To fix the things that are not going right
By firstly finding out just where they're weak.

So come to Christ and He will make you strong
By showing you just where you're weak and wrong.

Ether 12:6

Ether 12:6
 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
Sonnet 729 Ether 12:6

It's not that there's no evidence for it
All things, we're told, denote that God is real
It's just that faith's a future sort of fit
We use it now, then wait for the “reveal”.

We have the testimonies of the past
These records by the gift and power of God
And even current light is widely cast
To show the fear of darkness as a fraud.

So though our faith is tested in a way
Because we cannot see beyond our light
The simple facts are really plain as day
With faith, there cannot be an actual night.

Come on! Don't waste your time in blind debate
The witness and the miracle await.

3 Nephi 18:15,20-21

3 Nephi 18:15,20-21
15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.
 20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
 21 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.

Sonnet 728 3 Nephi 18:15,20-21
It's hard to be on duty all the time
To be on watch, on sentry or on call
Your focus fixed upon all things sublime
Attentive to all threats, however small.

The simple way to check your vigilance
To gauge how guarded and alert you are
Is taking counsel from Omnipotence
By making prayer your constant guiding star.

And there are watchmen on the towers too
Who issue warnings of the next assault
It pays to take advantage of their view
And watch and heed those watchers to a fault.

The devil's out to steal your soul away
Remember then to always watch and pray.

3 Nephi 12:48

3 Nephi 12:48
 48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Sonnet 727 3 Nephi 12:48A

A perfect baby cannot even walk
Or understand the consequence of sin
And needs some time to learn to even talk
Before much education can begin.

A perfect child is still in need of aid
Will say and do the very darndest things
His state of immaturity displayed
In what most every daily challenge brings.

A perfect adult now begins to learn
The ways of virtue, patience and of love
To pray and bridle passions and to turn
For comfort and for guidance from above.

While perfect gods are free from all mistakes
The perfect man repents from those he makes.

Helaman 5:12

Helaman 5:12
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Sonnet 489  Helaman 5:12

There is no place on earth to build that’s right
To beat the power of wind and wave and storm
No mix of man-made concrete has the might
To save against what nature can perform.

And even sun and water wear out stone
And granite mountains wash away at last
This world cannot be permanency prone
With so much vigour in destructive blast.

And molten white hot lava at the core
Unstable as the water in the foam
That beats against the ocean’s ragged shore
Is threat’ning any time to melt this home.

Don’t build your dreams upon this earthy tent
Foundations that endure are heaven sent.

Alma 41:10

Alma 41:10
10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

Sonnet 726 Alma 41:10

While resurrection patches up some things
Like blindness or a limp or lack of hair
The things that sinful wicked living brings
The simple act of dying can't repair.

That happiness you thought might come from sin
The peace of mind that guilty pleasures spoil
That joy reduced by error to chagrin
Will not be found by shuffling off this coil.

Repentance works its magic now and here
Its cleansing is designed for this estate
Don't let it's easy access disappear
By putting off the clean up till too late.

I hope I never hear this harsh demand
What part of “never” don't you understand?

Alma 39:9

Alma 39:9
 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.

Sonnet 725 Alma 39:9

Sometimes a common theme is best described
In words uncommon to the listening ear
At first you ask yourself just what's transcribed
But with some effort meanings become clear.

To cross yourself may sound so thusly strange
But here is what this father really meant
To turn, regret, to overcome, to change
Uncommon words for common term: Repent.

Some things we think or do need crossing out
Because, in fact, they sadly cross the line
Or cut across our faith and into doubt
And so we cross ourselves to realign.

And let's not lose what gives this verse its clout
We all have things to cross ourselves about.

Alma 37:35

Alma 37:35
 35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

Sonnet 724 Alma 37:35

Sea captains need an anchor they can trust
In worship there's no substitute for prayer
In building, firm foundations are a must
And working from a corner stone that's square.

In navigation it's the polar star
That fixed and constant point of stellar light
Since finding heaven shows us where we are
And keeps the safe and peaceful path in sight.

And everyone needs principles and truth
To fix and bathe their way with guiding light
And even in the blossoming of youth
The wise will learn to seek for what is right.

And wisdom of the ages shows to me
That keeping the commandments is the key.