Adulation: A Poem of Discovery
During morning devotion, I studied from a book of scripture very sacred to me about the heavens being compared to the glory of the stars, the moon, and the sun. Contemplating the meaning of these words, I realize spiritually and emotionally room to improve presents itself in parsecs in my life. Nothing I can do to gain salvation. But, I am on the path to redemption through the covenants made through Jesus Christ. It inspired a poem from a journal entry I made about my feelings.
It's not a rhyming poem but is written in meter 11-14-18-18.
11-syllables
14-syllables
18-syllables
18-syllables
The purpose of the poem is to express gratitude for Jesus Christ's teachings and atoning act. As a sacred part of my faith in Him and morning devotion, I share.
Heaven
When I think of the telestial kingdom,
I think of a place where the worst of the worst people go.
After reading section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants,
I now understand even liars are among those who go to this place.
Digesting my spiritual predicament
I’ve determined I’ve progressed to the bodies Telestial
Caught in a web of deception, life reveals me as stars seeking refuge
In the higher glory of bodies Terrestrial, then Celestial.
I knew I did not fit with those considered
Honorable. Certain parts of me, yet, I have to tame--
Temper, better yet--to progress forward reveals to me more I have yet
To purge from me. Base desires riddle me a prime candidate for Grace!
Telestial... even liars are among those who go to this place.
Establish
Oh, I acknowledge the fact those parts exist.
In time, I hope through Grace gaining power to subdue them
Through Jesus Christ’s Atonement, of which I’ve an abiding Testimony,
Borne of faith, love, and charity revealed through prophets and the Holy Ghost.
Lo, if I die on the path to salvation,
Brigham Young taught, my Father in Heaven will place me back
On that path progressing towards Him. Gratitude to know from whence I am,
Now, confidently, I can always continue if my life is cut short.
Accept my place to go to the next level.
Spouse describes me as arrogant. I took offense because
It is correct! I seek to be the one in the room that has all answers.
Questions do not matter by source. If it is to be known, I want to know!
If I die on the path to salvation... Father in Heaven will place me back on that path progressing towards Him.
iqraSense.com
Worthy
Wanting to be celebrated, once I wrote.
A poem full of truth, I want to be congratulated.
Patting on the back, I want, seek others to regard me and say judging,
“There is a good guy. His words are just right. Let him guide you close to the light”
Satisfies desire of “I’m good enough.”
When that acknowledgment is absent I feel, “I’m not good.”
Knowing this about myself lets me recognize that I lean to my own
Understanding of life, at times--trusting multiplied in the arm of flesh.
I seek out ways to make myself happy that
Do not involve trusting in the fullness of the Gospel
Jesus taught, allowing other people to approve of how good I am
Instead, let the Holy Spirit declare to me my standing before God.
Let the Holy Spirit declare to me my standing before God.
HOWARD LYON
Blandishment
Knowing this, I am able to go before
Father in Heaven asking assistance to overcome
Weakness that easily besets me. God gives weakness to humanity
Through humility, God shows us our weaknesses making them strengths in time.
I bear witness that the Lord effectuates
Change in the lives of all who trust His forgiving grace.
“Come to me for I have paid your way into the eternities if you
Will take it,” He invites--never forced. Always by persuasion, he offers.
My brother an enemy of all righteous
Would have me think there is no hope for me. He would whisper
In my ear, my ruin trying to me down to where he has fallen.
A fallen angel, even the devil attempts to tell me all is lost.
Through humility, God shows us our weaknesses making them strengths in time.
Salvation
The Brother who loves me, even Jesus Christ,
Lifts and encourages He suffered for all transgressions.
He will carry me through mortality until He has overcome all
Securing all place before the Father if we willing to receive.
Through service and good works to those around me,
Who trod the same Journey, I show my faith in the Gospel.
I do not earn my salvation. Salvation is a gift from Jesus Christ.
God meets us where we stand. He describes a gospel of patiently waiting.
Christ earned the reward. I am a partaker.
It is a gift treasured because I seek to follow Him
Repenting of my weakness with a firm hope doing so will make me strong
In righteousness--a vessel of power, sharing good works to the whole world.
https://www.ldsliving.com/Who-Was-the-Angel-Sent-to-Comfort-Jesus-in-Gethsemane/s/91021
Special
Realizing the truth, alone I am nothing.
Reading it in scriptures offered by Moses and others,
Always thinking in the back of my mind eager to refute that statement,
I did not understand what they meant. “How I’m nothing,” I would question?
Understanding that I am a child of God,
How am I nothing when I am something special? I am.
Power to bring eternal salvation escapes me in spite of good works.
Therefore, I, alone, am nothing. Christ and I overcome everything.
© 2021 Rodric Anthony Johnson
Comments
Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on July 16, 2021:
I get to thank you twice in the same day, Pamela! I'm honored that the things I write receive any of your precious attention and feel blessed you decide to comment. I appreciate the strength of your testimony of Jesus Christ and the divinity of His role in our lives as Teacher, Savior, and Lord.
Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on July 15, 2021:
Chitrangada, thanks for reading my poem. I'm happy you find them beautiful. that feedback helps me find the courage to do more.
Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on July 14, 2021:
Bill, thanks for reading. I put a ton of work into the cadence. I hope to work on the delivery. Since I used a journal entry to write the poem, I did some twisting in the text to make it fit. I hope to improve in that area.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on July 14, 2021:
You have written a beautiful poem, Rodric. I also believe that Jesus Christ suffered for all transgressions.
I am glad that you are writing poetry in addition to your other stories and articles. I really enjoyed reading this article. Blessing to you, Rodric.
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on July 14, 2021:
Beautiful and spiritual, with many takeaways for everyone. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom, in your beautiful poems.
God Bless You.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on July 13, 2021:
Look at you, Mister Poet! Powerful work here, my friend. You are growing as a writer and poet right before our eyes, and it is a thrill to witness.
Misbah Sheikh from — This Existence Is Only an Illusion on July 13, 2021:
Thanks for sharing, Rodric. Much appreciated. Indeed, Allah is a beautiful name.
Blessings to you
Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on July 13, 2021:
Mishbah, cannot yet understand Arabic or read it. I know that when "The Book of Mormon" was translated into Arabic, it flowed very well. One of the gentlemen I served around as a missionary in South Africa was from Egypt and another was from Lebanon. Both had copies of the scriptures in Arabic.
I made a plan when I was young to study Islam. I love the beauty taught in the five pillars of the faith, which to some extend I follow. I read "The Book of Mormon" and converted to Christianity.
I love the teachings of Jesus Christ on love and pray that Christians and others learn to follow those teachings to love one another as we love ourselves and to love God. I also love the Name, Allah. It is beautiful to me. I know that it is a slightly different meaning, but I used it as a title meaning God of all.
Misbah Sheikh from — This Existence Is Only an Illusion on July 13, 2021:
Rodric, these poems have some nice and powerful messages. God is, without a doubt, the most Gracious and Merciful of all. He is always by our side. He loves all of us. Thank you for sharing it with us.
PS: Are you able to understand or read Arabic language? I am delighted to see an Islamic dua in your article. I've written another article based on spirituality, as promised. If you want to read it, here’s the link:
https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/Khaki-Ban...
God Bless you!
Blessings and Peace!!
Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on July 13, 2021:
John, thanks. I meant it to be one big poem. I can see how the way I arranged it makes it seem like a collection of smaller poems. I think that's what it will be--they will be.
John Hansen from Australia (Gondwana Land) on July 13, 2021:
You put a lot of work into these poems, Rodric, and they do contain messages we can all take note of.
