The Ant
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I saw a tiny ant an afternoon ago
Dragging something sparkling, what was that thing in tow?
Upon closer inspection I realized with a start
That the ant had found a butterfly wing
(The most graceful of all natures art)
Could the queen have made a special plea?
Or ordered a piece for her chamber wall?
Saying, "Bring a thing of beauty to me!"
Was this ant I saw just fulfilling the call?
This is, I think, what queen ants do
For ants, I guess, like beauty too.
His image
His image
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Many see your dark skin
And think they know you well
Other faiths say that we sin
And are headed straight for hell
When we look in the mirror
And memorize our face
We think that we grow nearer
To learning our true place.
Yet, the longer I live upon this earth,
And the more I meet new friends
I've learned a lesson of great worth
As my suspicion ends.
I've learned as I look in your eyes
And walk on foreign sod
I see, in you, to my surprise
The image of our God.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Many see your dark skin
And think they know you well
Other faiths say that we sin
And are headed straight for hell
When we look in the mirror
And memorize our face
We think that we grow nearer
To learning our true place.
Yet, the longer I live upon this earth,
And the more I meet new friends
I've learned a lesson of great worth
As my suspicion ends.
I've learned as I look in your eyes
And walk on foreign sod
I see, in you, to my surprise
The image of our God.
Heavenly Father lives and loves us
Heavenly Father lives and loves us
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Heavenly Father lives and
loves us one and all
He sent Christ our Savior
to save us from the fall
Joseph Smith the prophet
Called to teach God's plan
Holy Scripture was restored
Through this righteous man
Through the Restoration
That gift of wondrous worth
The Lord sent his Church again
Here upon the Earth
Now we know the fullness
Of God's plan of grace
If we pass the test here
We will see his face
We must all live worthy
Of the spirits voice
He will help and guide us
When we make a choice
All our wondrous blessings
Come from God Above
He asks that we give him
Pure unending love
We can build the Kingdom
Each and every day
Enter to my kingdom
We can hear him say.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Heavenly Father lives and
loves us one and all
He sent Christ our Savior
to save us from the fall
Joseph Smith the prophet
Called to teach God's plan
Holy Scripture was restored
Through this righteous man
Through the Restoration
That gift of wondrous worth
The Lord sent his Church again
Here upon the Earth
Now we know the fullness
Of God's plan of grace
If we pass the test here
We will see his face
We must all live worthy
Of the spirits voice
He will help and guide us
When we make a choice
All our wondrous blessings
Come from God Above
He asks that we give him
Pure unending love
We can build the Kingdom
Each and every day
Enter to my kingdom
We can hear him say.
Will you weep for me as I lie sleeping?
Will you weep for me as I lie sleeping?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Will you come to my coffin side
and weep as I lie sleeping?
Will you be sad when I have died
and returned to heavens keeping?
It’s O.K. to let tears move
softly from your eyes
It’s alright for those tears prove
where true love for me lies.
So weep for me with heartfelt zeal
as long as the sorrow flows
for that is the way you feel
and that is the way it shows.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Will you come to my coffin side
and weep as I lie sleeping?
Will you be sad when I have died
and returned to heavens keeping?
It’s O.K. to let tears move
softly from your eyes
It’s alright for those tears prove
where true love for me lies.
So weep for me with heartfelt zeal
as long as the sorrow flows
for that is the way you feel
and that is the way it shows.
Creation
Creation
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Out of chaos I create
Words so very neat and clean
Speaking words of love or hate
To produce my inner scene
My words come from deep within
Where good and evil fight
Wherein begins goodness or sin
Where darkness battles light
And always I try to produce
A good and holy thought
And ever fight hard to reduce
The evil this world has taught
I hope that I win this battle with sin
That I may ever be
Welcomed to the light and saved from the night
To dwell, Oh Lord, with thee.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Out of chaos I create
Words so very neat and clean
Speaking words of love or hate
To produce my inner scene
My words come from deep within
Where good and evil fight
Wherein begins goodness or sin
Where darkness battles light
And always I try to produce
A good and holy thought
And ever fight hard to reduce
The evil this world has taught
I hope that I win this battle with sin
That I may ever be
Welcomed to the light and saved from the night
To dwell, Oh Lord, with thee.
Latest Mormon News and Events 4/6/2008
Interesting article written by a man born in Iran and adopted into a Mormon family over on inTHEfray. He compares four things about Muslims and Mormons, and appears to have rejected them both by declaring, "To answer my own questions, I have looked elsewhere for a foundation of beliefs that do not resonate with such orthodox theocracies. I have found that my ultimate truth is blending of all religions' positive teachings and the forsaking of their fear tactics. In short, to teach love is my ultimate truth." I think however that the Mormon church has always declared the same thing, namely, that we seek for all positive teachings no matter what religion it comes from (Article of Faith 13). I wish him the best on his search to teach love, I believe that the genesis of love is a Father in Heaven.
Another interesting article from inTHEfray features an interview with Randall Balmer the author of God in the White House. In one instance he talks about abortion and the Religious Right "The Southern Baptist Convention, hardly a bastion of liberalism, passed a resolution at its gathering in St. Louis in 1971, calling for the legalization of abortion — a resolution reaffirmed in 1974 and again in 1976." Who knew? Balmer also mentions Joseph Smith, "The most intriguing element of the 2008 presidential primaries was the attempt by Mitt Romney to become the Republican nominee. He’s not the first Mormon to run for the White House, of course. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, made a run in 1844, though it was cut short by his assassination at the Carthage jail... But 40 years later, it became clear — to everyone but Mitt Romney, it seems — that the former governor of Massachusetts would not be given a pass on his Mormon faith, unlike his father."
T.R. Fehrenbach writes an interesting article in the San Antonio Express-News titled Mormons Tested U.S. Assimilation. He says among other things, "The Latter Day Saints may still seem strange to some Americans, but they are widely admired for their virtues, their business acumen and their patriotism. This is a classic case where a body at odds with society chose assimilation over separation and alienation, with great success."
The Deseret Morning News reports Elder Richard G. Scott blasted child abuse and encouraged people to come forward and report such activities to police.
Over on the Fundamentals side of things, the FLDS church (not to be confused with the Mormon Church or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was being raided over the weekend, reports KWTX 10 in Texas.
The Packet and Times in Ontario, Canda reports on religious events in history:
April 6
In 1528, Albrecht Durer, German painter, engraver, and designer of woodcuts, died. His most popular work is Praying Hands.
In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon Church - was founded by Joseph Smith.
In 1926, Northern Ireland clergyman and politician Ian Paisley was born. For decades, Paisley, founder of the Free Presbyterian Church, opposed any move he regarded as spreading the control of the Irish Republic or Catholicism over Northern Ireland.
In 2003, Gerald Cardinal Emmett Carter, retired archbishop of Toronto, died at the age of 91.
Another interesting article from inTHEfray features an interview with Randall Balmer the author of God in the White House. In one instance he talks about abortion and the Religious Right "The Southern Baptist Convention, hardly a bastion of liberalism, passed a resolution at its gathering in St. Louis in 1971, calling for the legalization of abortion — a resolution reaffirmed in 1974 and again in 1976." Who knew? Balmer also mentions Joseph Smith, "The most intriguing element of the 2008 presidential primaries was the attempt by Mitt Romney to become the Republican nominee. He’s not the first Mormon to run for the White House, of course. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, made a run in 1844, though it was cut short by his assassination at the Carthage jail... But 40 years later, it became clear — to everyone but Mitt Romney, it seems — that the former governor of Massachusetts would not be given a pass on his Mormon faith, unlike his father."
T.R. Fehrenbach writes an interesting article in the San Antonio Express-News titled Mormons Tested U.S. Assimilation. He says among other things, "The Latter Day Saints may still seem strange to some Americans, but they are widely admired for their virtues, their business acumen and their patriotism. This is a classic case where a body at odds with society chose assimilation over separation and alienation, with great success."
The Deseret Morning News reports Elder Richard G. Scott blasted child abuse and encouraged people to come forward and report such activities to police.
Over on the Fundamentals side of things, the FLDS church (not to be confused with the Mormon Church or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was being raided over the weekend, reports KWTX 10 in Texas.
The Packet and Times in Ontario, Canda reports on religious events in history:
April 6
In 1528, Albrecht Durer, German painter, engraver, and designer of woodcuts, died. His most popular work is Praying Hands.
In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon Church - was founded by Joseph Smith.
In 1926, Northern Ireland clergyman and politician Ian Paisley was born. For decades, Paisley, founder of the Free Presbyterian Church, opposed any move he regarded as spreading the control of the Irish Republic or Catholicism over Northern Ireland.
In 2003, Gerald Cardinal Emmett Carter, retired archbishop of Toronto, died at the age of 91.
New Mormon Apostle set apart D. Todd Christofferson April 2008
Elder D. Todd Christofferson had most recently been serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy with supervisory responsibility for the North America Northwest and North America West Areas. He previously had supervisory responsibility for the North America Southeast Area and has served as executive director of the Family and Church History Department and as president of the Mexico South Area of the Church.
Born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, he graduated from high school in New Jersey, earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, where he was an Edwin S. Hinckley Scholar, and his law degree from Duke University. He practiced law in Washington, D.C. and has been a senior vice president and associate general counsel for major banking institutions.
He said that he felt great desire, anxiety and hope with respect to serving others in the spirit of Christ’s admonition to Peter to “feed my sheep” and “feed my lambs.”
At the April conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the following were also called.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton was named to replace Elder Christofferson as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Clayton has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 31 March, 2001.
His professional career was in law where he was a business litigation attorney with a California law firm. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Utah and a law degree at the University of the Pacific.
He has served the Church in many positions including regional representative, mission president’s counselor, stake high councilor and bishop.
Elder Clayton was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1950. He married Kathy Ann Kipp on August 9, 1973 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are parents of seven children.
Fifteen new general authorities were also sustained to serve in the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy. Called to serve as members of the First Quorum of the Seventy are: Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Elder Gérald Caussé, Paris, France; Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, Sandy, Utah; Elder Eduardo Gavarret, Lima, Peru; Elder Carlos A. Godoy, Barueri, Brazil; Elder James J. Hamula, Mesa, Arizona; Elder Allan F. Packer, Sandy, Utah; Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Elder Rafael E. Pino, Miranda, Venezuela; Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Providence, Utah; Elder José A. Teixeira, Vila Real, Portugal; Elder F. Michael Watson, Bountiful, Utah; and Elder Jorge F. Zeballos, Concepcion, Chile.
Elder Tad R. Callister, Glendale, California and Elder Kent D. Watson, Cedar City, Utah were called as members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.
Additionally, 38 Area Seventies have been called.
Additionally, 38 Area Seventies have been called.
Elaine S. Dalton succeeds Susan W. Tanner as Young Women general president, with Mary N. Cook as first counselor and Ann M. Dibb as second counselor. Sister Dalton had previously served as first counselor and Sister Cook as second counselor in the Young Women general presidency. Sister Dibb had been serving on the Young Women General Board.
AFP gets a thumbs down for article POLYGAMISTS BAR POLICE FROM ENTERING MORMON TEMPLE
I woke up late last night to the commotion of a myriad of police in SWAT uniforms surrounding my house. I could see them because the moon was exceptionally bright and they were just below my window. Fear crept into my mind and I slowly arose. I stealthily walked to the front room, where I could see the dark vans on the street and four more SWAT team members crouched near the front of my house. I ran through all my past crimes and couldn't think of anything that would bring the SWAT team to my house. I wasn't sure what I should do since I knew they were coming. Should I unlock the door, or lay down on the floor?
Here is a picture of green grass like I have in front of my house.
There was a loud bang and the SWAT team started running. Turns out they weren't hunting for me, they were hunting the new next door neighbors. SWAT hauled them off to jail for drugs.
I write this story with the following caveats: 1. I was actually at a friend's house, 2. the picture I have used has nothing to do with where I live.
The AFP has done the same thing on a story of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), a splinter group that formed some hundred years ago.
They are not related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) or the Mormons.
The AFP has a story that shows the LDS Mormon Salt Lake City Temple and then a second image that shows FLDS leader Warren Jeffs in court. The caption on the LDS Mormon Temple reads "A statue of Brigham Young, second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". The second picture has the caption "Warren Jeffs is serving a life sentence for being an accomplice to rape". At least CNN got more of the story right, no wonder Agence France-Presse (AFP) isn't viewed as a credible source for information. The AFP does mention the story is going down in Fort Worth, TX, but they fail to mention the Salt Lake City Temple has nothing to do with their story. Here is the first and second picture from the AFP website.
The strange thing is that they AFP forgot to include the actual picture of the FLDS Temple in Fort Worth, TX. Shame on the AFP for this misleading reporting. Just like I associated the White House with the SWAT team tactical entry using the picture above, so the AFP has associated the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Warren Jeffs the polygamist leader.
What the AFP meant to show was this picture of the FLDS temple in Texas. The AFP has a long way to go to become credible.
Springtime
Springtime
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Oh, what joy we find in springtime!
Oh, the beauty of the days!
All the birds sing songs to heaven
in their sweet and happy ways.
All the flowers are so lovely
climbing slowly from the sod.
Every bloom and every blossom
whispers, “bow and reverence God.”
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Oh, what joy we find in springtime!
Oh, the beauty of the days!
All the birds sing songs to heaven
in their sweet and happy ways.
All the flowers are so lovely
climbing slowly from the sod.
Every bloom and every blossom
whispers, “bow and reverence God.”
The Savior's song of redeeming love
The Savior's song of redeeming love
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Music lives in every heart,
It sings in every spirit,
Each soul deserves this godly art,
Each ear deserves to hear it.
I want each person on this earth,
And those who soon will be,
To feel the freedom like new birth,
Your song has given me.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Music lives in every heart,
It sings in every spirit,
Each soul deserves this godly art,
Each ear deserves to hear it.
I want each person on this earth,
And those who soon will be,
To feel the freedom like new birth,
Your song has given me.
I wish I were a froggy
I wish I were a froggy
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I wish I were a froggy
With great big greenish feet
Even though I would be soggy
My joy would be complete
For I would jump across the miles
And see you every day
And we could share some hugs and smiles
And words we long to say
Even though I can't quite jump that far
And though I'm stuck right here
I'm wishing on the morning star
That this message you can hear
Though I can't be there so fast
And though I'm miles away
My love for you will always last
Until you're back someday.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I wish I were a froggy
With great big greenish feet
Even though I would be soggy
My joy would be complete
For I would jump across the miles
And see you every day
And we could share some hugs and smiles
And words we long to say
Even though I can't quite jump that far
And though I'm stuck right here
I'm wishing on the morning star
That this message you can hear
Though I can't be there so fast
And though I'm miles away
My love for you will always last
Until you're back someday.
Tiny Coffins
Tiny Coffins
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I feel that caskets shouldn't have to be
Made small enough to hold a child
These coffins really trouble me
For ones so young, and meek and mild
Why must these children die so young?
And why must we loose these little ones?
What painful songs hurting hearts have sung
While grief like a river through their home runs
Yet, the answer spoken in my soul
Brings peacefulness to my weary mind
And out of a heart that with sorrow is full
I thank God for the plan he designed
There's no good reason that children die
Yet it happens often on this flawed earth
Causing heavy hearts to sadly sigh
Who've loved these children from before their birth
And the Children's laughter continues on
In a realm of peace and joy and rest
It only seems like they are gone
Yet, really, we're gone from the place that is best
Though it's hard when little ones leave in their youth
I thank God to know that these children are free
I'm so thankful to know this wonderful truth
And ask strength now to cope with my jealousy.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I feel that caskets shouldn't have to be
Made small enough to hold a child
These coffins really trouble me
For ones so young, and meek and mild
Why must these children die so young?
And why must we loose these little ones?
What painful songs hurting hearts have sung
While grief like a river through their home runs
Yet, the answer spoken in my soul
Brings peacefulness to my weary mind
And out of a heart that with sorrow is full
I thank God for the plan he designed
There's no good reason that children die
Yet it happens often on this flawed earth
Causing heavy hearts to sadly sigh
Who've loved these children from before their birth
And the Children's laughter continues on
In a realm of peace and joy and rest
It only seems like they are gone
Yet, really, we're gone from the place that is best
Though it's hard when little ones leave in their youth
I thank God to know that these children are free
I'm so thankful to know this wonderful truth
And ask strength now to cope with my jealousy.
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