Mormon Messages: Create

Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

"The Difference"

I got up early one morning

And rushed right into the day,

I had so much to accomplish

That I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me

And heavier came each task.

"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn't show me;

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence,

I used all the keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child, you didn't knock."

                                                                 I woke up early this morning

                                                                   And paused before entering the day,

                                                               I had so much to accomplish

                                                                 That I had to take time to pray.

What a difference prayer has made

Elder Matthews

"The Oak Tree"

About 4 or 5 months ago I was on Team-ups with one of my Zone Leaders, Elder Lyons. We went to a members house for dinner and he shared a spiritual thought with them and it was a poem about an oak tree and how strong we can be as long as we endure what ever life throws at us.

"A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew"

Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.

Elder Matthews

Missionary Life - "Highs and Low's"

I have been on my mission for a while and a very common question is, "What is your mission like?" That has always been a very hard question for me to answer because it is unlike anything I have ever done before. I normally say how great it is and how there is nothing that I would rather be doing, and it is. My Mission is the greatest thing I have ever done, but that does not explain it well enough. At about 7:30 or 8 this morning my companion Elder Child read me a poem that he has that does a very good job at what missionary life is like, at least mine.

A mission is a strange experience.
It's a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst,
yet teaches you the best.

They told me this would be the best period of my life.
But I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.
I came out looking for a bed of roses.
I just wasn't expecting all the thorns I've found out here.

Since I've been out I've never been so happy.
I've never been so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken.
I've never felt so blessed.

I've never been so confused.
My mind has never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant.
I've never felt him so near.

I've never been so discouraged.
I've never been so full of hope.
I feel like I can go forever.
I think I've come to the end of my rope.

I've never had it so easy.
I've never had it so tough.
Things have never gone so smoothly.
Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys.
I've never ascended so many peaks.
I've never met so many neat people.
I've never met so many freaks.

I've never had so many ups.
I've never had so many downs.
I've never worn so many smiles.
I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely.
I've never had so many friends.
Man, I hope this is all over with soon.
Gosh, I hope it never ends.

Jack Brinkerhoff

My mission has been the single greatest thing I have ever done but it has also been the hardest thing I have ever done but I would not trade it for anything.

Elder Matthews

I am called of God, by revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my Master and He has chosen me to represent Him. To stand in His Place, to say and do what He himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts, my words are His words and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done, to say what He wants said, to be a living modern witness in word and deed - of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter day work. How GREAT is my CALLING.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

"Never Doubt there are Angles"

Never doubt there are angels

Among us all the time,

Those who come to encourage us

When there's a hill to climb.

They're the ones who sit beside us

When it's our turn to mourn,

And the ones who share our joy 

When we welcome a newborn.

They're the ones who come to visit 

Or call us now and then 

Just to say they love us

And wonder how we've been.

They may be our friends and neighbors

Or strangers who pass our way.

Never doubt there are angels, 

Who help us every day!

Clay Harrison