I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I joined back in 1964 after a long struggle with faith. I had loved the Savior ever since I could remember, but the church of my youth deserted me as it moved into the intellect movement of the 60's. Without spiritual guidance, I fell away. The Lord distinguished between the words of my mouth and the longing of my heart. He knew that I wanted to believe and so he sent a young woman who told me the story of the Restored Gospel. She bore her testimony of Jesus Christ and promised me that I could know for myself and have my own testimony.

Now forty-six years later I can only thank her from the bottom of my heart for introducing me to the church. Indeed I do have my own testimony. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, called to restore Christ's church to the earth. We have a prophet today who leads and guides us. I am so grateful for Latter-day scriptures that bear testimony of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. It stands as another witness of the Savior and it's truths have touched my life in very personal ways.

I hope that my poetry reflects the growth of my testimony and my love for Jesus Christ.

Grieving Alone

This poem was written in response to a fast and testimony meeting where a friend shared her story of loving friends who helped her through a period of grief.  It triggered some deep emotions in me as I sat and realized that no such help came to me when grief knocked on my door.  For her it was the death of a child.  For me it was the death of my marriage - divorce.

Either people don't recognize that divorce is a period of intense grief and pain or they don't know what to say because we still have so much negatives attached to divorce.  And so there is often silence where a hug and kind words are needed.

As with all experiences in life, we must learn from them.  I can only hope that whenever I might hear of another going through the same thing I experienced, that I will be available to give that needed support.


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