D&C 121:36,41-42

D&C 121:36,41-42
 36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
  41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
 42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

Sonnet 821 D&C 121:36,41-42

We see the awful power of brute force
The crushing strength of anger, pride and guile
The sharpness of deceit without remorse
Persuading by the preaching of revile.

Though none of this connects with heaven's power
On earth it has a fearful savage way
And tempts the weak and greedy hour by hour
To rule through aggression day by day.

The currencies of kindness and of love
Of patience and of meekness and increase
Of gentleness and yearnings for above
Are not enough alone to purchase peace.

But when combined with priesthood power's might
They'll vanquish earthly evil's awful blight.

D&C 107:8 #2

Sonnet 821 D&C 107:8 #2

The people of each stake are gathered twice
Each year to hear the words of life and do
Such business as by officers suffice
To all our faith and confidence renew.

And oft times there are speakers that we love
With messages so timely, wise and great
We learn and feel the powers from above
Renewed by better knowledge of our state.

Yet all this teaching only lasts a while
And needs each conf'rence time to be redone
New visitors, new music and new style
New programs, always once again begun.

But those new elders! There's a lasting note
Eternal priesthood power with one vote.

D&C 107:8

D&C 107:8
 8 The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.

Sonnet 820 D&C 107:8

We sing in praise of prophets and give thanks
For presidents who guide us in our days
We marvel to have priesthood in our ranks
To teach and bless and organize our ways.

The power and authority is great
The same that made the heavens and the earth
Preparing and extending as we wait
For that return of true eternal worth.

In matters of the Spirit we defer
To all the keys of priesthood held today
The same as what all ages did confer
Administering the Church in heaven's way.

And all the saints uphold with faithful care
The prophet by our confidence and prayer.

D&C 89:18-21 #3

Sonnet 819 D&C 89:18-21 #3

We talk about an athlete training hard
And speak of short term pain for long term gain
But keep the word of wisdom in regard
And gains are short and long and there's no pain.

The genius of this conduct is sublime
A blessing to a people quite immense
No headlines of insane or violent time
Less trouble and less ludicrous expense.

And all this wisdom settles social place
Away from vice below and vice above
A moderate and middle course of grace
Where humble souls can feel the Father's love.

How happy are the saints who learn to give
Obedience to wisdom's way to live!

D&C 89:18-21 #2

Sonnet 818 D&C 89:18-21 #2

The daily headlines do betray a trend
Of conflicts sadly clearly unresolved
Where when a friend is beaten by a friend
There must have been some alcohol involved.

And often accidents are quite bizarre
And so we say the tragedy evolved
Not by the fault of bus or truck or car
There must have been some alcohol involved.

Or sometimes younger people pass away
Their health and vigour seemingly dissolved
And looking at their cause of death we say
There must have been some alcohol involved.

Don't let this be how your fate gets resolved:
There must have been some alcohol involved.

D&C 89:18-21

D&C 89:18-21
 18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
 19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
 20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
 21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

Sonnet 817 D&C 89:18-21

The interview is simple and quite short
To give you entrance to the Lord's abode
The questions very measured with import
The highest earthly blessings there bestowed.

The wisdom and great treasures there abound
The weariness of life is there dismissed
And promises of every sort are found
The joy of the Spirit in our midst.

And none of this is given without this
The answer to a question that is true
A key to earthly tasting of a bliss
That without temples only heaven knew.

“The word of wisdom, do you keep it right?”
“Oh yes!” you cry. To enter this delight.

D&C 88:124 #4 Cease to Sleep

Sonnet 816 D&C 88:124  #4 Cease to Sleep

It's not so much the sleep that's wrong to do
We have to have our rest, that's just the deal
But here is where the whole thing goes askew
It's when we go to sleep while at the wheel.

Some failures cannot ever be reversed
There will be time for sleep and other fun
But work and obligations must come first
And sleeping on the job won't get it done.

And choices must be made by me and you
Those times to step up and decide just which
Of all the things that matter we should do
Let's hope we're not found sleeping at the switch.

So get your sleep, but get it when you should
Not when you could be out there doing good.