161. Young Women's "Frog Camp"
[Meadows Ward, Bakersfield Stake, July-2022]
Father teaches crucial lessons,
In myriad special ways.
Seeking to protect our souls,
From the perils of our day.
We see a world that crumbling, (1)
Some "friends" don't share our views, (2)
And even those who lead us,
May be battered by "the News".
So it was with some excitement,
We left work and cares behind,
As we headed for Big Meadow, (3)
And a camp both cool and kind.
It was glorious intermission
From our harried “city life”,
To see God’s wondrous nature,
In a setting free from strife.
There were hikes, and jokes, and camp songs,
Served with savory meals each day.
The mountain air was clean and cool,
And we wished that we could stay.
But the best of every evening,
With the setting of the sun,
Was the fire that we gathered ‘round,
As we spoke of what we’d done.
These were times of testimony,
Bringing insights to our souls.
A chance to talk of what we’d learned,
And to share our hopes and goals.
But a quite uncommon lesson,
We’ll recall all of our days,
Arose as we saw common frogs,
Poised to jump into the blaze.
Were they excited by the flames?
Seduced by flickering lights?
Was warmth the threat to their demise?
Could they not see their plight?
One final hop would seal their doom.
No more they’d jump or play—
So a leader quickly scooped them up.
To release, safe, far away.
From foolish frogs, a warning came,
Of the lure and peril of sin.
What might excite or attract us, (4)
Could end what we’ve yet to begin.
So we ask the Lord for leaders, true,
To keep us from evil’s flames.
And rejecting the world’s temptations,
We call, humbly, on Jesus’ good name. (5)
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Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Notes:
© servingjesuspoetry.com--All commercial rights reserved; unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
EXERCISE/QUESTIONS:
1. As you watch the video, do you receive any PROMPTINGS, INSIGHTS, or other INSPIRATION from the Holy Ghost?
2. IF SO, is what you receive something that can/should be shared with others, at a proper time and place, or is it so personal and private that it should be held fast to your own soul, exclusively, for now? ["MUST READ & PONDER" General Conference discourse by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of April, 2017 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMNngnJ3u8w "Songs Sung and Unsung"]--Premise: Some of our gospel experiences may be so holy, personal, or sacred, that we simply cannot speak of them here and now. READ THE TALK.]
I do believe that I have been "prompted" to share another point from this video filled with insights, metaphors, and more, viz: The Lord trusts you so much that He is willing to convey the following truths to you:
** D & C 88:90--"And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds." .
Father teaches crucial lessons,
In myriad special ways.
Seeking to protect our souls,
From the perils of our day.
We see a world that crumbling, (1)
Some "friends" don't share our views, (2)
And even those who lead us,
May be battered by "the News".
So it was with some excitement,
We left work and cares behind,
As we headed for Big Meadow, (3)
And a camp both cool and kind.
It was glorious intermission
From our harried “city life”,
To see God’s wondrous nature,
In a setting free from strife.
There were hikes, and jokes, and camp songs,
Served with savory meals each day.
The mountain air was clean and cool,
And we wished that we could stay.
But the best of every evening,
With the setting of the sun,
Was the fire that we gathered ‘round,
As we spoke of what we’d done.
These were times of testimony,
Bringing insights to our souls.
A chance to talk of what we’d learned,
And to share our hopes and goals.
But a quite uncommon lesson,
We’ll recall all of our days,
Arose as we saw common frogs,
Poised to jump into the blaze.
Were they excited by the flames?
Seduced by flickering lights?
Was warmth the threat to their demise?
Could they not see their plight?
One final hop would seal their doom.
No more they’d jump or play—
So a leader quickly scooped them up.
To release, safe, far away.
From foolish frogs, a warning came,
Of the lure and peril of sin.
What might excite or attract us, (4)
Could end what we’ve yet to begin.
So we ask the Lord for leaders, true,
To keep us from evil’s flames.
And rejecting the world’s temptations,
We call, humbly, on Jesus’ good name. (5)
© servingjesuspoetry.com--All commercial rights reserved
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Notes:
- Young Adult Theme Song for 2022, “Trust in the Lord”, first stanza: “The world is crumbling at our feet, the skies are filled with grey. The Savior’s calling to His sheep, and He will lead the way.” VIEW HERE-- (1) https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2022-youth-theme-album-and-website-released (2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMNngnJ3u8w
- From that song’s chorus: “Though tears many fall, and friends may leave, we see His light, and that is where we’ll go.” [It really is an exceptional song and an inspired video. Please note from the video that the youth who first serve as guides and models for rejecting error are…the young women. While this video presents the theme for all youth, the young men in the video are…a little slower to embrace light and honor (several are held captive by earphones and digital devices. Maybe I’m “reading too much” into this. [No, I believe the Spirit whispers to me, I’m not—but the reader is free to disagree.]
- LDS affiliated camp situated in mountains of Kern County.
- “In their yearning for a good time, young people are often tempted to indulge in the things which appeal only to the baser side of humanity, five of the most common of which are: first, vulgarity and obscenity; second, drinking and petting; third, unchastity; fourth, disloyalty; and, fifth, irreverence.” Teachings of the Prophets, David O. McKay, p. 81.
- Again, from the song: “[Jesus] opens our eyes, fills us with peace, lifts up our weary souls. He is the light, and we’ll never be alone.”
© servingjesuspoetry.com--All commercial rights reserved; unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
EXERCISE/QUESTIONS:
1. As you watch the video, do you receive any PROMPTINGS, INSIGHTS, or other INSPIRATION from the Holy Ghost?
2. IF SO, is what you receive something that can/should be shared with others, at a proper time and place, or is it so personal and private that it should be held fast to your own soul, exclusively, for now? ["MUST READ & PONDER" General Conference discourse by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of April, 2017 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMNngnJ3u8w "Songs Sung and Unsung"]--Premise: Some of our gospel experiences may be so holy, personal, or sacred, that we simply cannot speak of them here and now. READ THE TALK.]
I do believe that I have been "prompted" to share another point from this video filled with insights, metaphors, and more, viz: The Lord trusts you so much that He is willing to convey the following truths to you:
- "The world is crumbling at our feet"--a direct and powerful statement. I recall "general warnings" from every General Conference for years and years which included "generic" warnings of "we live in perilous (or dangerous) times". But this warning raises the "threat level" to a new and unmistakable high point.
- "The skies are gray"--likewise unequivocal.
- "Though fires may burn and storms may rage"--while seemingly uncertain; I DEEM THIS WARNING PRESCIENT AND SURE. Expect uncommonly epic disturbances--not the consequence of "Climate Change." ** {BUT, we can "see His light" if we "trust in the Lord"--therefore, we shall so trust!
- "Friends may leave"--a clear and stark warning.
** D & C 88:90--"And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds." .