163.  United for Christ
[For Erin--Inspired by the 2023 EFY Theme:  "I Can Do All Things Through Christ"]

    
 
Throughout the world our youth unite,
To pledge their faith in Jesus Christ.
They lay their pains and hardships,
Before the God of Greatest Sacrifice[1]--
          He paid their price[2].

Their myriad tongues and colors,  
Do not impede their common goal.
To rely upon He who paid for every sin,
That they could be made whole.
         Hosannah[3] to the Lamb!
 
Their elders cannot know the fears
Arising from the perils of their day.
Regardless, young and old will join
To bow their heads and pray--
         That He will succor[4] all.
 
Rejoice, ye citizens of heaven.
The Holy Bridegroom[5] comes!
To school[6] the nations for their sins,
And make His people ONE[7].
          Sing, this day of gladness![8]

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[1] Alma 34:10 and 14--“For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice….And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.”
[2] 1 Corinthians 6:20—“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (KJV)
[3] Etymology: Middle English hosanna, from ...Hebrew hōshīʽāh-nnā pray, save (us)! [Merriam-Webster Dictionary; bold added.]
[4] Alma 7:12—“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
[5] Isaiah 62:5--“For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”
[6] [Archaic term for "discipline”].  Titus 2:11-14—“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” See also: Doc & Cov. 1:17 and 19--"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments...The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh."
[7] Philippians 1:27 and 2:2—“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
[8] Psalms 47-6-8--“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.” And Alma 26: 6 and 18—“Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever….Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?”

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