My Experience In Truth

"The Shedding Tree" There is a forest near my home Where through the ages trees have grown. Tall and mighty, towards the sky these trees have grown to please the eye. But though they're tall and heaven bound their roots are shallow in the ground. They grow too quickly to give thought to the parts that eyes see not. For many years the trees stand tall but just one storm can cause their fall. And when they finally hit the ground they split and crack with thundering sound. And so their growth is all for naught and all their wood is left to rot. Now here we learn a lesson true: that looks and status will not do. Though fame and glory we adore to grow up strong we need much more. Another tree stands near my home out in a field, it's all alone. It is not pleasing to the eye it's wind-worn, crooked, all awry. But there it stands, still in its prime this tree has stood the test of time. While other's grew up t...

I wrote this poem two weeks before the end of my mission. It is my witness of the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "Whom Shall I Send?" My head was high, my smile proud My heart was hard, my laughter loud. I loved myself, and me alone My brother lacked, I had a throne. I saw him lonely, with a frown To build me up, I tore him down. I laughed and mocked his lonely stare The pain I caused I did not care. The praise of man, my only goal Caused me to lie, destroyed my soul. To change my ways, I had no thought In my own eyes I had a lot. I spent my life on useless things I gave my all to worldly dreams. Then came the day when all was lost With nothing left I felt the cost. The pain was great, my soul was racked I lost my strength, my body slacked. I fell upon my knees to pray "Dear God" I said "take me away. I see my sin, I cannot bear To stand beneath thy piercing stare. I neve...