170. The Two Are One, Once More
[For my sister, Leanne, reunited with her soulmate Mervin (1), on May 1, 2024]
Despite the madness of our day,
The turmoil of our fallen state,
Where reason fails, and sin bears sway (2)
We kneel to pray and boldly state:
Two valiant souls are one today. (3)
Before most sold themselves for naught (4)
With passing fads; vulgar delights,
Some few for Heaven’s glory fought,
To follow in the Savior’s Light, (5)
And seek all that the Father hath. (6)
He was a boy of craft and skill,
Whose every act reflected love, (7)
She was a girl of fervent will,
So blessed with wisdom from Above, (8)
With Heaven’s prompting, they would wed. (9)
They met, but ringed by wealth and pride, (10)
They left to find a home made safe,
A place to leave the world outside,
Through fellow servants rich in faith--
Family grown in the Savior’s Way. (11)
In a future day; a Holier space,
We’ll see this couple’s pains and grief,
Rejoicing they were given grace,
Through faith in Christ, to find relief, (12)
And earn the Savior’s kindest smiles. (13)
And should you ere to think that we
Are foolish in our heartfelt praise,
At Heaven’s judgment bar you’ll see,
That God, Himself, these souls shall raise
Who, through Messiah, were made whole. (14)
The two are one, once more.
© servingjesuspoetry.com [Non-commercial usage allowed.]
1. By brother in law, Mervin, died on March 17, 2003 at age 70. Leanne’s unwelcome estrangement from her one love endured for 21 years. In time, the need for this painful, albeit temporary, severance shall be revealed. We refuse to sin by criticizing the Divine Plan, “[W]e know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Accord, Doc. & Cov. 90:24—“Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.” [All underlining and italics are added. Bold is used throughout this page to assure clean, black, printing, if need arises. Printing cautions are found at the "splash" (or first) page of this site. "Highlight and print" or "cut and paste" methodologies must be used to avoid printing all table of contents items seen on left side at web view.]
2. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament, expounding upon Genesis 4:16, describes the establishment of the “family of the Cainites” in the land of Nod, after their founder’s banishment for fratricide as "the first foundation-stone of the kingdom of the world, in which the spirit of the beast bears sway". Here and now, the “spirit of the beast” rules our fallen world (for now)--Hosanna, save us Lord Jesus.!
3. Genesis 2:18, 21-24--“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Leanne’s reunion with Mervin after so many years was a joyful event.
4. Isaiah 52:3—“For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought.” [Query: Did Isaiah see our day and would he have included Tic Tok; Gameboy; or social media platforms as examples of his disapproval?]
5. 3 Nephi 18:24—“Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.”
6. Elder James E. Faust’s, 1979 BYU speech-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdvGlkNwlWE] “If we believe and are faithful, we are promised all that the Father has. If we receive all that the Father has, there is nothing more for us to receive in this life or the life to come. We should remember that in our challenges and struggles against the powers of evil and darkness, "they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
7. Mervin Allphin loved everyone he met. His passing grieved all around him. And yet, in light of longstanding health challenges, never to be cured in mortality, his passing was a holy transition from one field of service to another: Doc. and Cov. 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.”
8. Leanne was, truly, Mervin’s “helpmeet”. “Father Adam was placed here as king of the earth, to bring it into subjection. But when Mother Eve came she had a splendid influence over him. A great many have thought it was not very good; I think it was excellent.” Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 199. Leanne, I submit, was a splendid influence over Mervin--and shall remain so forever.
9. President Russell M. Nelson, October Conference 2008—“That proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship. The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally…. Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come.”
10. Chicago’s “North Shore” was an enclave of the rich—enjoying, at that time, the highest per capita percentage of professionals in America--our family not among them. (However, I feel compelled to quote from the far superior poem by Stickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother": "Richer than I you can never be, I had a mother that read to me." Our mother read to us many wonderful things, including scripture.) Stake leaders and North Shore Ward members included a veritable “Who’s Who” of men and women of not merely national prominence but international renown. Outside the Kingdom, those who toiled in Chicago’s “Heartland” [See #135, “Heartland Dream”] but who sought worldly wealth, perished spiritually. Yet faithful Pioneers in the region sought the riches of eternal life: “It is true that the things of this world are designed to make us comfortable, and they make some people as happy as they can be here; but riches can never make the Latter-day Saints happy. Riches of themselves cannot produce permanent happiness; only the Spirit that comes from above can do that.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 306). See also: Doc. & Cov. 11:7—“Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.”
11. Like our own siblings, who scattered throughout the West, Leanne’s own children (five girls) found new venues for their families, and their service, sprinkled from Washington to Oklahoma. The divine line continues; with the couple’s children being tested and tried even as their parents. In peril we walk among evildoers, praying for Heaven’s power to escape both sin and avoidable tragedy.
12. In October 2022 General Conference, President Nelson declared: “The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power—power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better. This power eases our way. Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.”
13. See, 3 Nephi 19:25--“And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.” See also, Matthew 25:23—“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
14. Doc. & Cov. 132:19—“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths…” There was no sting of death in the passing of a dedicated Mother of Zion and her reunion with her soul mate. (1 Cor. 15:55.)
Endnote:
The author deems this modest piece unworthy of its subjects. Yet Heaven has prompted, and to ignore such an invitation is to offend the author and provider of all good things: Moroni 7:12-13—“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God… behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” If any words herein could be considered virtuous, lovely, or of good report, then Praise God.
The turmoil of our fallen state,
Where reason fails, and sin bears sway (2)
We kneel to pray and boldly state:
Two valiant souls are one today. (3)
Before most sold themselves for naught (4)
With passing fads; vulgar delights,
Some few for Heaven’s glory fought,
To follow in the Savior’s Light, (5)
And seek all that the Father hath. (6)
He was a boy of craft and skill,
Whose every act reflected love, (7)
She was a girl of fervent will,
So blessed with wisdom from Above, (8)
With Heaven’s prompting, they would wed. (9)
They met, but ringed by wealth and pride, (10)
They left to find a home made safe,
A place to leave the world outside,
Through fellow servants rich in faith--
Family grown in the Savior’s Way. (11)
In a future day; a Holier space,
We’ll see this couple’s pains and grief,
Rejoicing they were given grace,
Through faith in Christ, to find relief, (12)
And earn the Savior’s kindest smiles. (13)
And should you ere to think that we
Are foolish in our heartfelt praise,
At Heaven’s judgment bar you’ll see,
That God, Himself, these souls shall raise
Who, through Messiah, were made whole. (14)
The two are one, once more.
© servingjesuspoetry.com [Non-commercial usage allowed.]
1. By brother in law, Mervin, died on March 17, 2003 at age 70. Leanne’s unwelcome estrangement from her one love endured for 21 years. In time, the need for this painful, albeit temporary, severance shall be revealed. We refuse to sin by criticizing the Divine Plan, “[W]e know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Accord, Doc. & Cov. 90:24—“Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.” [All underlining and italics are added. Bold is used throughout this page to assure clean, black, printing, if need arises. Printing cautions are found at the "splash" (or first) page of this site. "Highlight and print" or "cut and paste" methodologies must be used to avoid printing all table of contents items seen on left side at web view.]
2. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament, expounding upon Genesis 4:16, describes the establishment of the “family of the Cainites” in the land of Nod, after their founder’s banishment for fratricide as "the first foundation-stone of the kingdom of the world, in which the spirit of the beast bears sway". Here and now, the “spirit of the beast” rules our fallen world (for now)--Hosanna, save us Lord Jesus.!
3. Genesis 2:18, 21-24--“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Leanne’s reunion with Mervin after so many years was a joyful event.
4. Isaiah 52:3—“For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought.” [Query: Did Isaiah see our day and would he have included Tic Tok; Gameboy; or social media platforms as examples of his disapproval?]
5. 3 Nephi 18:24—“Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.”
6. Elder James E. Faust’s, 1979 BYU speech-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdvGlkNwlWE] “If we believe and are faithful, we are promised all that the Father has. If we receive all that the Father has, there is nothing more for us to receive in this life or the life to come. We should remember that in our challenges and struggles against the powers of evil and darkness, "they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
7. Mervin Allphin loved everyone he met. His passing grieved all around him. And yet, in light of longstanding health challenges, never to be cured in mortality, his passing was a holy transition from one field of service to another: Doc. and Cov. 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.”
8. Leanne was, truly, Mervin’s “helpmeet”. “Father Adam was placed here as king of the earth, to bring it into subjection. But when Mother Eve came she had a splendid influence over him. A great many have thought it was not very good; I think it was excellent.” Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 199. Leanne, I submit, was a splendid influence over Mervin--and shall remain so forever.
9. President Russell M. Nelson, October Conference 2008—“That proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship. The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally…. Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come.”
10. Chicago’s “North Shore” was an enclave of the rich—enjoying, at that time, the highest per capita percentage of professionals in America--our family not among them. (However, I feel compelled to quote from the far superior poem by Stickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother": "Richer than I you can never be, I had a mother that read to me." Our mother read to us many wonderful things, including scripture.) Stake leaders and North Shore Ward members included a veritable “Who’s Who” of men and women of not merely national prominence but international renown. Outside the Kingdom, those who toiled in Chicago’s “Heartland” [See #135, “Heartland Dream”] but who sought worldly wealth, perished spiritually. Yet faithful Pioneers in the region sought the riches of eternal life: “It is true that the things of this world are designed to make us comfortable, and they make some people as happy as they can be here; but riches can never make the Latter-day Saints happy. Riches of themselves cannot produce permanent happiness; only the Spirit that comes from above can do that.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 306). See also: Doc. & Cov. 11:7—“Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.”
11. Like our own siblings, who scattered throughout the West, Leanne’s own children (five girls) found new venues for their families, and their service, sprinkled from Washington to Oklahoma. The divine line continues; with the couple’s children being tested and tried even as their parents. In peril we walk among evildoers, praying for Heaven’s power to escape both sin and avoidable tragedy.
12. In October 2022 General Conference, President Nelson declared: “The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power—power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better. This power eases our way. Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.”
13. See, 3 Nephi 19:25--“And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.” See also, Matthew 25:23—“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
14. Doc. & Cov. 132:19—“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths…” There was no sting of death in the passing of a dedicated Mother of Zion and her reunion with her soul mate. (1 Cor. 15:55.)
Endnote:
The author deems this modest piece unworthy of its subjects. Yet Heaven has prompted, and to ignore such an invitation is to offend the author and provider of all good things: Moroni 7:12-13—“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God… behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” If any words herein could be considered virtuous, lovely, or of good report, then Praise God.