145. He Sleeps But Does Not Rest
A solemn sadness fills my soul
My heart is pained by loss and grief
My partner in the Work has left
And in Our Savior found relief. (1)
Despite his own deep “wounds concealed” (2)
He always looked for those in need
And striving for their happiness,
He served the Lord in word and deed.
He sleeps but does not rest (3)
What happy memories remain
Of sacred times we worked as one
To minister to those in need
Endowed with power from God’s Son.
He knew my heart, he knew my mind
And loved me well despite my sins,
My vanities and selfish dreams--
The weaknesses I have within.
He showed Christ’s grace to me.
How strange that he who came to know
And follow Jesus late in life
Would be the one to teach me truths
To lift me from my cares and strife.
It was for such the Savior taught
The rule--all earn His great reward
Despite the days that they might work
If they were valiant in His Word. (4)
All here bear witness of his worth.
NOTES:
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18--“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
2. “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”, verse 5: “Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment--he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart.”
3. Rev. §14: 13--“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” See Also: Doctrine & Covenants §124:86-- “If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works.” [Underlining supplied.]
4. Parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard”. Matthew 20:1-16—v. 7-16 quoted here: “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
PROMPTING AND BACKGROUND:
I had enjoyed an uncommonly tender and effective association with an elderly High Priest who became my Home Teaching companion. We spent months in exceedingly happy and devout service to some rather special sisters. However, as these things go, I moved away and our relationship, and service, ended. One night I dreamed of his funeral service and awoke with my bed covered with tears, my heart beating, and my mind thinking: "My (former) partner in the work was gone to the Post-Mortal world".
However, inquiry proved that he was still alive and still dedicated to the Work with a new partner in the new Ministering program. Regardless, the experience led me to inquire and receive this poem to be held close until told to release it. The day will come, tomorrow, or years from now, when I shall receive "reassignment" to the World of Spirits. At that time I would be honored to join with this friend and brother once more. May I prove worthy to labor with the extraordinary souls I knew in mortality.
SEE ALSO:
# 2. My Choice Companions in the Lord
# 61 “Death Has Not Won But Lost”
#84. "Brother, Friend, and Fellow-Servant"
# 85 “Grieve Not for Him”
# 87 “The Righteous Live in Me”
My heart is pained by loss and grief
My partner in the Work has left
And in Our Savior found relief. (1)
Despite his own deep “wounds concealed” (2)
He always looked for those in need
And striving for their happiness,
He served the Lord in word and deed.
He sleeps but does not rest (3)
What happy memories remain
Of sacred times we worked as one
To minister to those in need
Endowed with power from God’s Son.
He knew my heart, he knew my mind
And loved me well despite my sins,
My vanities and selfish dreams--
The weaknesses I have within.
He showed Christ’s grace to me.
How strange that he who came to know
And follow Jesus late in life
Would be the one to teach me truths
To lift me from my cares and strife.
It was for such the Savior taught
The rule--all earn His great reward
Despite the days that they might work
If they were valiant in His Word. (4)
All here bear witness of his worth.
NOTES:
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18--“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
2. “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”, verse 5: “Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment--he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart.”
3. Rev. §14: 13--“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” See Also: Doctrine & Covenants §124:86-- “If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works.” [Underlining supplied.]
4. Parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard”. Matthew 20:1-16—v. 7-16 quoted here: “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
PROMPTING AND BACKGROUND:
I had enjoyed an uncommonly tender and effective association with an elderly High Priest who became my Home Teaching companion. We spent months in exceedingly happy and devout service to some rather special sisters. However, as these things go, I moved away and our relationship, and service, ended. One night I dreamed of his funeral service and awoke with my bed covered with tears, my heart beating, and my mind thinking: "My (former) partner in the work was gone to the Post-Mortal world".
However, inquiry proved that he was still alive and still dedicated to the Work with a new partner in the new Ministering program. Regardless, the experience led me to inquire and receive this poem to be held close until told to release it. The day will come, tomorrow, or years from now, when I shall receive "reassignment" to the World of Spirits. At that time I would be honored to join with this friend and brother once more. May I prove worthy to labor with the extraordinary souls I knew in mortality.
SEE ALSO:
# 2. My Choice Companions in the Lord
# 61 “Death Has Not Won But Lost”
#84. "Brother, Friend, and Fellow-Servant"
# 85 “Grieve Not for Him”
# 87 “The Righteous Live in Me”
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