ODE TO JOSEPH

 

On 27 June 1844, exactly 180 years ago, Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration, and his brother Hyrum Smith were assassinated at Carthage Jail in Illinois...."He lived great and died great in the sight of God and his people, and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, he sealed his misison and works with his blood; and so did his brother Hyrum. In life they weren't divided, and in death they weren't separated!" - D&C 135:3)

ODE TO JOSEPH:

You stood so resolute and willing
In the councils of heaven,
Knowing the jaws of hell
Would open at the mention of your name.

Still, you knelt in the sacred grove
And uttered the words of faith.
You honoured your promise to restore the truth
And you opened the heaven's gate.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

( Art: Brother Joseph by David Lindsley)

AT GARDEN'S GATE

 

 

“And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God – I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that He is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.

I am one of His witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in His hands and in His feet and shall wet His feet with my tears.

But I shall not know any better then than I know now that He is God’s Almighty Son, that He is our Saviour and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through His atoning blood and in no other way.”

-        Bruce R. McConkie, The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, April 1985 General Conference

 

Oh the sweet, sweet agony

That tossed You onto the sea of

Merciless pain and suffering!

The nature shook but silently wept eternity

Cradling in its arms Your glorious destiny.

 

I dreamed that You were waiting

At sweet Garden’s gate;

Your sacrifice complete,

Your promises kept.

I could scarce contain my joy

As in Your arms I wept.

 

You rose to heights unknown

By someone lowly like me.

You are now so high

And I am so low,

Climbing the ladder of my tears

Into Your arms that I will forever know.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Upon the Cross by Greg Collins)

THE ROAD OF LIFE

 

 

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognised His picture when I saw it but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable as it was the shortest distance between two points. But it all changed when He took the lead because He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" but I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I'd say, "I'm scared" He'd lean back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again!

After a while He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight". So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten, scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says, "Pedal".

- Author Unknown, As cited in HOLY SWEAT by Tim Hansel

You flowed like a river through my heart

Showing me the wonder of You;

You lifted my eyes higher to see the majestic view.

You parted the heavens for me

And helped me see what I alone could never see;

You gave me the hope and the might

To be what I alone could never be.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: AI Generated)

HE CARRIES ME

 

How strong You have been to carry me so far;

Without retreat, through raging storms,

Up mountains and over treacherous seas.

You did not falter

As you carried me up Calvary’s hill;

Golgotha had no claim on Thee.

How strong Your shoulders must be

To carry me into eternity!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Hold On Tight by Liz Lemon Swindle)