“Not my Will, but Thine be Done”

Even before we came to live on the earth, we lived on a different plane, and a great plan was unrolled before our very eyes—a plan that would help us return to live with God.

I’m not really a poet – that was Russ’ specialty – but about ten days ago a friend who teaches the adult Sunday school class in our branch asked me if I would write a brief poem about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, based on the Savior’s words during his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Although not quite up to par with Russ’ poems, I think it came out all right. And Beky liked it enough to ask for a copy; I told her I would publish it here, and here it is. I hope you like it:

                                                                                               

“Not my Will, but Thine be Done

 Long ago, before the Earth was born,

A council was called, and we were there.

 

 Our Father chose one to come to Earth

And save mankind,

So that we, if willing, could return.

 “Thy will be done, the glory be thine,”

he said, “not mine.”

 

He came to the Earth

– the same he had made –

And lived a perfect life,

to show us the way.

 

He loved the Earth, its flowers and trees,

Walking and teaching of his Father’s love

to all who in Him believed.

 

And when the time came

for his mission on Earth,

He felt the pull of his mortal birth;

He wished not to go:

“Not my will,” He said,

“but thine be done.”

 

He hung from that wooden cross,

And bore our shame,

So that eternal life we might claim.

 

Now, with our Father and Jesus

We can be one,

If not our will, but His be done.

 

© Mary Purpari July 5, 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Painting by Derek Hegsted 

“C” is for Christians? YES!

When I was a college student, I often participated in the meetings of some “born again” Christians; this particular congregation attracted me because of a certain vibrancy, but mostly because of the amount of music that was presented during the course of a meeting. One of the featured singers was a friend of mine at college; in fact, she encouraged me to play my trumpet a couple of times, which was great fun, although my shyness almost overcame me every time. I stayed on another year after graduation and at the end of that year I joined the LDS Church.

A year or so later, while waiting for the bus, this friend saw me and stopped and offered me a ride home; during the ride we spent some time catching up on each other’s lives. When I told her I had joined the Mormon church she gasped, but then  said, “Oh , well, I’m not worried about you, because I know you’re a Christian.” Surprised, I said, “All Mormons are Christians” to which she responded, “Oh no, they’re not; they just say they are; they’re really devil-worshipers.”

This is a very common mistake; I want to let everyone know that the LDS are indeed Christian. The first, and foremost, Article of Faith states: “We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost.” When we are baptized, we are baptized in his name; when we pray, we close our prayers in his name

There are two hymns in the LDS hymnal that I particularly love. The first, written by Bruce R. McConkie says: ^♪♪ I believe in Christ, he is my King! With all my heart, to him I’ll sing; I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy, In grand amens my tongue employ. I believe in Christ, he is God’s son…^♪♪1

The second, based on Job 19:25 and Psalms 104:33-34 says: ^♪♪ I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives who once was dead, He lives my everlasting head. He lives, all glory to his name! He lives my Savior still the same. Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives.^♪♪2

Everything in the LDS church, including its name, is centered around our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ and his teachings. Everything we do, singularly or in groups is based on what He would want us to do.

Christians? Yes, indeed! 

¹LDS Hymnal, hymn number 134,  v. 1

² ibid. number 136, v. 1, 4

Painting “At Journey’s End” by LDS artist Derek Hegsted