156. Bountiful Harvest
Trigger and Motivation
Before the restructuring of Wards/Stakes referenced in No. 131 took place, I was a "Home Teacher" for a dearly beloved couple (Brother and Sister "U") with a majestic history of service in both the world and the Kingdom We enjoyed many cordial visits and discussions, and I always learned much more than I attempted to teach.
Last week, Brother "U" was feted with an 80th Birthday Party at a son's home. The guest list was modest due to the limited space, but I pondered how, at some future date, there would not be room enough in our largest local arena for all of the souls who would bear witness of the good this couple, and their numerous, beautiful, progeny had achieved.
With the invitation for the party posted on my wall, I wondered if I should attempt a piece fit for the event. It had been more than four (4) months since my last poem, and the COVID craziness, with all its accompanying ravages upon not merely our nation but the entire world had, effectively, silenced me from attempting poetry.
Modest, insincere, attempts to start a piece quickly proved futile. I was rebuked with the warning that unless I truly humbled myself, I would remain frustrated. Seeking forgiveness and inspiration through more fervent prayer, I was blessed to receive the following, and the notes below:
#156. Bountiful Harvest
Oft times, our lives seem cheerless dreams,
As mortal pains and fears oppress.
The Fallen One has myriad schemes, (3)
To sap our faith and cause distress.
But, Father, He who knows our griefs.
Still hears believers’ fervent cries.
With Gilead’s Balm, He sends relief, (4)
To heal our souls; dry weeping eyes.
Then, through the pardon of His Son,
God gives us hope that we may yet
Share virtue from His Holiest One,
That we face death without regret. (5)
As fellow servants of Our Lord,
We have been called to share His cross.
If we would gain God's Great Reward, (6)
We must seek out those hurt and lost.
Then we, as "sowers of God's seeds" (7)
Share every good and Holy thing--
Bring light and life to those in need,
That they, with us, Christ's song may sing. (8)
All here are witnesses of these
Who sowed God's seeds across our land.
We pray, with them, our Lord we'll please,
And in His Holy presence stand. (9)
NOTES:
AFTERWARD:
As I pondered the words I was given, I came to believe that this little piece bore, both within and between its few lines, messages of significance for this couple, their family, and myself--however, such matters are beyond the scope of this printing. One point merits mention: The "Parable of the Sower" is a complex, multi-dimensional lesson with alternative meanings and diverse applications. Brother and Sister U had sown:
1. "Seeds of their posterity"--a constantly expanding family of eternal duration and celestial worth;
2. "Seeds of service, testimony, and instruction" throughout the Kingdom and the world; and
3. "Seeds of daily acts of faith, good works, and virtue"--see hymn No. 216: "We Are Sowing".
Before the restructuring of Wards/Stakes referenced in No. 131 took place, I was a "Home Teacher" for a dearly beloved couple (Brother and Sister "U") with a majestic history of service in both the world and the Kingdom We enjoyed many cordial visits and discussions, and I always learned much more than I attempted to teach.
Last week, Brother "U" was feted with an 80th Birthday Party at a son's home. The guest list was modest due to the limited space, but I pondered how, at some future date, there would not be room enough in our largest local arena for all of the souls who would bear witness of the good this couple, and their numerous, beautiful, progeny had achieved.
With the invitation for the party posted on my wall, I wondered if I should attempt a piece fit for the event. It had been more than four (4) months since my last poem, and the COVID craziness, with all its accompanying ravages upon not merely our nation but the entire world had, effectively, silenced me from attempting poetry.
Modest, insincere, attempts to start a piece quickly proved futile. I was rebuked with the warning that unless I truly humbled myself, I would remain frustrated. Seeking forgiveness and inspiration through more fervent prayer, I was blessed to receive the following, and the notes below:
#156. Bountiful Harvest
Oft times, our lives seem cheerless dreams,
As mortal pains and fears oppress.
The Fallen One has myriad schemes, (3)
To sap our faith and cause distress.
But, Father, He who knows our griefs.
Still hears believers’ fervent cries.
With Gilead’s Balm, He sends relief, (4)
To heal our souls; dry weeping eyes.
Then, through the pardon of His Son,
God gives us hope that we may yet
Share virtue from His Holiest One,
That we face death without regret. (5)
As fellow servants of Our Lord,
We have been called to share His cross.
If we would gain God's Great Reward, (6)
We must seek out those hurt and lost.
Then we, as "sowers of God's seeds" (7)
Share every good and Holy thing--
Bring light and life to those in need,
That they, with us, Christ's song may sing. (8)
All here are witnesses of these
Who sowed God's seeds across our land.
We pray, with them, our Lord we'll please,
And in His Holy presence stand. (9)
NOTES:
- Eight children; 38 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren (and counting); myriad friends, admirers, and fellow-servants. There is no hall, no arena, no local venue with space sufficient to accommodate all the souls who will bear witness to the good performed by this devoted couple across the world and across the decades.
- Jacob 7:26 “…our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.”
- Mosiah 4:14 “And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.”
- Boyd K. Packer, October 1977 General Conference: “The Bible records that in ancient times there came from Gilead, beyond the Jordan, a substance used to heal and soothe. It came, perhaps, from a tree or shrub, and was a major commodity of trade in the ancient world. It was known as the Balm of Gilead. That name became symbolic for the power to soothe and heal.”
- Gordon B. Hinckley, General Conference, April 1996: “The pain of death is swallowed up in the peace of eternal life. Of all the events of the chronicles of humanity, none is of such consequence as this. Contemplating the wonder of the Atonement wrought in behalf of all mankind, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared in words descriptive and beautiful: “Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!” (D&C 128:23).
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”.
- See, “Parable of the Sower”: Matthew 13:19; Mark 4:14; and Luke 8:11.
- Alma 5:9 9 “And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
AFTERWARD:
As I pondered the words I was given, I came to believe that this little piece bore, both within and between its few lines, messages of significance for this couple, their family, and myself--however, such matters are beyond the scope of this printing. One point merits mention: The "Parable of the Sower" is a complex, multi-dimensional lesson with alternative meanings and diverse applications. Brother and Sister U had sown:
1. "Seeds of their posterity"--a constantly expanding family of eternal duration and celestial worth;
2. "Seeds of service, testimony, and instruction" throughout the Kingdom and the world; and
3. "Seeds of daily acts of faith, good works, and virtue"--see hymn No. 216: "We Are Sowing".
