12. Questions for Our Leaders
We have known you well and loved you,
You were proven in the past.
And your former works prepared you
For this new, and greater, task.
Teach us how to live, dear brothers,
So we’ll serve the risen Christ,
Who has taught that all who seek Him
Must accept His sacrifice.
You now have a special calling,
From a prophet of the Lord.
We have raised our hands to heaven,
To support His given word.
You are building on the solid rock
Of revelation’s truth
But as you begin your labors,
There are questions asked of you:
Will you lead us to the Savior?
Will you train us in His way?
If the world should tempt or try us,
Will you seek for those who stray?
Can you help us to be humble?
Will you aid us to be strong?
Will you bless and heal as He did,
Though your days seem far too long?
We are sometimes weak and troubled,
Will you take the leader's share?
As we try to live like Jesus,
Do you promise to be there?
Will you mourn for those who leave us?
Will you lift our tired hands?
When we cry out for your counsel,
Will you strive to understand?
As we seek to build His kingdom,
Will you give us of your best?
Will you share our heavy burdens,
Through this painful mortal test?
If the sin of pride should beckon,
Will you kneel to pray for grace?
Will you teach us Christ's commandments,
As we strive to see His face?
Oh, dear brothers, we esteem you,
And we need your tender care.
And we need to feel our Savior’s touch,
Through faith, and love, and prayer.
So we trust that He will aid you,
As you seek to do His will.
Till the day when He returns here,
Every promise to fulfill.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18-19.
“Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down: and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said, ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. ’ ‘And now, ’ said he ‘when compared with the living oracles, those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books. ’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth’. ...”
Context
This poem, and the next, came out of a stake reorganization in Bakersfield, California in September of 1996. Elder Dalin Oaks presided and extended a remarkable invitation to the heads of the auxiliaries in the Stake. Each was permitted to ask him a question, which he would attempt to respond to as best he could. Elder Oaks did not promise any dramatic pronouncements, but stated he would humbly strive to render such counsel as he possessed. The questions were insightful and the answers inspired. After that experience I could not sleep until I had typed up the poem: “Questions For Our Leaders.” Within a few days, a second piece occupied my attention, as I considered how “raising our hands in a sustaining vote” gives rise to questions which could be asked of us.
We have known you well and loved you,
You were proven in the past.
And your former works prepared you
For this new, and greater, task.
Teach us how to live, dear brothers,
So we’ll serve the risen Christ,
Who has taught that all who seek Him
Must accept His sacrifice.
You now have a special calling,
From a prophet of the Lord.
We have raised our hands to heaven,
To support His given word.
You are building on the solid rock
Of revelation’s truth
But as you begin your labors,
There are questions asked of you:
Will you lead us to the Savior?
Will you train us in His way?
If the world should tempt or try us,
Will you seek for those who stray?
Can you help us to be humble?
Will you aid us to be strong?
Will you bless and heal as He did,
Though your days seem far too long?
We are sometimes weak and troubled,
Will you take the leader's share?
As we try to live like Jesus,
Do you promise to be there?
Will you mourn for those who leave us?
Will you lift our tired hands?
When we cry out for your counsel,
Will you strive to understand?
As we seek to build His kingdom,
Will you give us of your best?
Will you share our heavy burdens,
Through this painful mortal test?
If the sin of pride should beckon,
Will you kneel to pray for grace?
Will you teach us Christ's commandments,
As we strive to see His face?
Oh, dear brothers, we esteem you,
And we need your tender care.
And we need to feel our Savior’s touch,
Through faith, and love, and prayer.
So we trust that He will aid you,
As you seek to do His will.
Till the day when He returns here,
Every promise to fulfill.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18-19.
“Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down: and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said, ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. ’ ‘And now, ’ said he ‘when compared with the living oracles, those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books. ’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth’. ...”
Context
This poem, and the next, came out of a stake reorganization in Bakersfield, California in September of 1996. Elder Dalin Oaks presided and extended a remarkable invitation to the heads of the auxiliaries in the Stake. Each was permitted to ask him a question, which he would attempt to respond to as best he could. Elder Oaks did not promise any dramatic pronouncements, but stated he would humbly strive to render such counsel as he possessed. The questions were insightful and the answers inspired. After that experience I could not sleep until I had typed up the poem: “Questions For Our Leaders.” Within a few days, a second piece occupied my attention, as I considered how “raising our hands in a sustaining vote” gives rise to questions which could be asked of us.