D&C 18:10-11 #2

Sonnet 789 D&C 18:10-11 #2

To know the value of most any thing
A guess, a wish, or hope will not suffice
And even an appraisal has a swing
So great it only sets an asking price.

And tougher yet to cost out souls on earth
No catalogue of these is found in play
And so, as with the things, the person's worth
Is only set by how much one will pay.

But here a final price point has been set
A payment that is infinite and firm
Retirement of all of mankind's debt
Atonement made completely and full term.

There is no pain, no loss, no fault or sin
That Christ cannot redeem.  Just come to Him.

D&C 18:10-11

D&C 18:10-11
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

Sonnet 788 D&C 18:10-11

The Scottish poet begs to have the gift
To see ourselves as others see us too
And while that might provide a social lift
Far better to see me as God sees you.

The issue here is clarity of sight
Of recognizing value where it lies
In overcoming tendency to slight
The value seen so clearly by God's eyes.

And even when we see the worth of souls
We later on forget just what we've seen
Confused by all our lesser mortal goals
Forgetting who we are and where we've been.

To help remember, singing's what I do
“I Am a Child of God”. And so are you.

D&C 13:1 #3

Sonnet 787 D&C 13:1 #3

Moroni held the keys to prove the cause
And so he laid the word at Joseph's door
A gift that put an end to the long pause
According to all prophesy before.

And so as Joseph had the proof in hand
The power next conferred upon his head
As angels came as needed to expand
The keys to govern how this work would spread.

These visits from iconic ancient men
Elijah, Moses, Michael, Peter too
And James and Johns and Gabriel and then
Some other angels that we never knew.

So with the word, the power and the keys
The Gospel now restored will spread with ease.

D&C 13:1 #2

Sonnet 786 D&C 13:1 #2

The order and the genius of these rights
That give a place of service to the young
Preparing for the necessary heights
Allowing upward progress rung by rung.

This priesthood is important needed power
And every holder ought to comprehend
Though higher office should begin to flower
He's still a deacon to the very end.

It can't be small to hold the angel's keys
To minister to basic needs of men
To turn them from uncaring to their knees
Ensuring that the sinner's born again.

I hope, for me, these duties never wain
Just cause the sons of Levi come again.

D&C 13:1

D&C 13:1
1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

Sonnet 785: D&C 13:1

Imagine if you will the thrill of this
Of John the Baptist calling you by name
And if, in such a moment of pure bliss
“My fellow servant” did he too exclaim.

My habit, with a similar address
Is to begin with “We your brethren lay
Our hands upon your head”  to lift and bless
And keys, a call or comfort thus convey.

The fellowship of saints is first and last
The unity and love and friendship must
In deed and every word be kindly passed
Acknowledging the order of the just.

And even here between the dispensations
Some words to show the parity of stations.

D&C 10:5 #2

Sonnet 784 D&C 10:5 #2

I testify of music as a prayer
The holiness of melody that's strong
The remedy for darkness or despair
I praise the healing and the gift of song.

I sing of earth and heaven and of life
I cast out fear with lovely lullabies
I charge the battle front with drum and fife
And every song's a prayer, a sign, a prize.

I join the chorus in triumphant airs
Or make a joyful noise within my heart
Delighting in my choice of tuneful prayers
I worship with my voice as blessed art.

And this is how I conquer Satan's force
With happy sacred music as my course.

D&C 10:5

D&C 10:5
 5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

Sonnet 783 D&C 10:5

Those grasping hands of demon devotees
Commanded by a devil without heart
Can be defeated if you make your knees
The place on which your days will end and start.

And praying is a shield and weapon too
Against the evil forces of the day
For nothing has a chance to conquer you
If you will make the time to always pray.

You cannot pray a lie.  As Huck would say
And so the truth will fortify the saint
And set you free as Christ explained the way
That we ought always pray and not to faint.

Since how to conquer is so clearly said
You wonder why the losing's so widespread?