Father of all earthly life

This is a hymn dealing with the tragedy of abortion. Murder is a horrible sin because it not only deprives someone of their choice to live, but also because of the spiritual damage it does to those who commit the murder. The zeal with which people rationalize murder in any form, but particularly when it is practiced against babes in the womb, should drive all of us to pray for divine healing and change. None of us but God knows the end of this scourge on the physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of our brothers and sisters worldwide. But as God has seen fit to use imperfect men and women to bring about his purposes before, might he not do so again as we pray to him and cheerfully do all in our power?

Let us not smother the cries of the wounded and dead; let us work with the great Healer of souls till every life is precious and every soul has felt the strength of the love of God.

Father of all earthly life,

Lord of worlds enthroned,

Sacred blood defiles our land;

Heaven’s pillars groan.

Father we are pained for sin,

Deeds time cannot heal;

How shall we abide the wrath

Of thy wounded zeal?

Even Christ the Lord of all

Shrunk ’neath sin’s great weight;

Who shall this unworthy land

Save now from her fate?

Healing and compassion come

Lord alone from Thee.

Oh Deliv’rer of the meek,

Hear our anguished plea!

Send a message from above

That will peace afford,

Purge unclean and bloody hands,

By Thy Spirit’s word.

O Lord if it may be so,

Let our children dead,

Know the sorrow that we feel

That their blood was shed,

And may we through Jesus’ grace,

Which surpasses all,

Meet them one day face to face,

In Thy hallowed hall,

Cleansed from every wicked thought,

Knowing as we’re known,

Born again to never die

Through thy grace alone.

1 Cor. 13:12; Mosiah 27:25-26; Alma 34:6, 12

Link to sheet music

Happy Father's Day!

Hi everyone! I wanted to wish my dad a happy father's day. Here is a short poem I wrote in his honor today:

I asked my daddy what he'd done
That really made a difference.
I asked my daddy what he'd done
That really made him glad.
He turned to me and looked at me,
And when he caught my eye,
He said to me, The greatest thing
I've done is being dad.

The world would end tomorrow
If men refused to love;
Raise up sons and daughters
As they're given from above,
Foster home and family and
Teach the way to be:
By your good examples
You will touch eternity.

I love you Dad! I especially love how you fostered my love of writing at an early age. Few things in my life to this point have given me more joy than sharing the inspiration I receive through creating. I've published a few poems on a free poetry site here: http://a.allpoetry.com/poems/by/chessfan. I'll end with one of those today:

If time were a thread,
I would weave a sweater
Of the glowing ambitions of youth
And the experience of sires;
Of a thousand tales of valor
And of vibrant memories
To warm the cockles of my heart
And plant undying fire
For the deeds that stand
Apart in space and 
Light the pilgrim's weary march
To Calvary and beyond.

Bright Star of Morning

1. Bright Star of morning, Light of our dawning,
Send Thy sweet presence here, we pray.
Child of the Father, born of the water,
Blessed among men be Thy name this day.

Chorus:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Worthy the Lamb Who was slain to give life!
Alleluia! Praise ye His name!

2. Men from all nations join now to praise Him,
Blessed of man and of God above!
To all the earth He brought a new birth,
To all that live He brought the Father’s love.

3. Giver of breath, conqu’ror of death,
Sweet be the news o’er the mountains You bore.
Tidings of goodwill ring o’er the hills,
Never to be silenced by sorrow more.

4. O my soul take flight; fly to the Light
Who bore you His child and still bears you along.
Heav’n and earth mingle; let the notes tingle
In all the ears that hear our glad song!

Rev. 22:16; Mosiah 15:18-20; D&C 88:49-50