{"id":49973,"date":"2025-05-19T06:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T12:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=49973"},"modified":"2025-05-18T19:34:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T01:34:32","slug":"cfm-5-26-6-1-poetry-for-a-faithful-a-just-and-a-wise-steward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2025\/05\/cfm-5-26-6-1-poetry-for-a-faithful-a-just-and-a-wise-steward\/","title":{"rendered":"CFM 5\/26-6\/1: Poetry for \u201cA Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How do we define the word \u2018stewardship\u2019? In church we use it quite a lot \u2014 maybe as much as we use the word \u2018responsibility\u2019 \u2014 but since we use both and since they are somewhat interchangeable, I wish I knew of a clear statement that distinguished how we use these two terms. As far as I can tell, \u2018stewardship\u2019 is something larger, taking in more than just specific tasks or the clear responsibilities of a role. A stewardship seems more all-encompassing \u2014 and this graphic I found, which to me resonates with the covenants in the Temple, I think gives a sense of how \u2018stewardship\u2019 touches all parts of our lives.<\/p>\n

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The context of this Come Follow Me lesson is associated with the efforts to organize the early Latter-day Saint community, just as the first settlers are leaving Kirtland for Missouri in an attempt to found Zion. But these ideas still apply to us, since our stewardship, even now, is trying to create and improve Zion, for the benefit of all of God\u2019s children.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Lord wants me to be a faithful, just, and wise steward.<\/h2>\n

One common sense of stewardship connects it with leadership\u2014something that those in charge should do. But I don\u2019t see that idea in the scriptures or in gospel teachings. Stewardship is something the Lord wants all of his children to practice; and, in fact, building Zion requires everyone to participate in fashioning according to what the Lord has taught. We all have that responsibility<\/del> stewardship.<\/p>\n

In the following poem, Orson F. Whitney not only suggests that basing stewardship in a favored few, an aristocracy, is contrary to the gospel, which instead favors genius, humility, and merit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aristocracy<\/span><\/h3>\n

by O. F. Whitney<\/p>\n

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The world is his who sees its vain pretense,<\/dd>\n
And tries it with the touchstone\u2014common sense;<\/dd>\n
And tho’, with some, ’tis Title rules the earth,<\/dd>\n
In Reason’s balance, Brains far outweighs Birth.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Avails it, then, if Gossip’s tongue beguiles<\/dd>\n
The fashion throng where wanton Folly smiles;<\/dd>\n
Or Vanity, the pampered child of Praise,<\/dd>\n
To win new lies from Flattery, essays;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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While Genius, climbing to its destined place,<\/dd>\n
Encounters sneering Envy in the race<\/dd>\n
Where polish’d Dunce, with studied speech inflate,<\/dd>\n
Affects to scorn, but cannot emulate\u00a0?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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The mind of sterling Merit can despise<\/dd>\n
This meretricious tinsel of disguise;<\/dd>\n
For, tho’ decrees of Caste its way retard,<\/dd>\n
A conscious virtue “is its own reward.”<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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What recks, if Pride on fancied honors dwell;<\/dd>\n
Or sordid Gain of Mammon’s glories tell;<\/dd>\n
Or fashion’s queen, with stolen sceptre, play<\/dd>\n
The tyrant o’er dominions of a day?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Is not a crown of Virtue dearer prize<\/dd>\n
Than Gold which teaches Merit to despise?<\/dd>\n
A station ‘mong the kings and queens of Thought<\/dd>\n
A nobler rank than is of Name begot?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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He’ll find, who studies for his own behoof,<\/dd>\n
That ’tis the pillar which sustains the roof,<\/dd>\n
Whereon the fluttering ensigns, waving high,<\/dd>\n
In haughty grandeur court the distant sky.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And who would Ocean’s hoarded treasure know;<\/dd>\n
Or gather of its gems, must search below;<\/dd>\n
While further observation shows the wise<\/dd>\n
That air-distended bubbles always rise.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1880<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I can invite others to come unto Christ wherever I go.<\/h2>\n

One of the areas where, it seems to me, that stewardship is different from responsibility is in who is included. While our responsibilities are limited to a specific group of people, our stewardship is usually broader. We might argue, for example, that a bishop\u2019s responsibility are to members of a ward, but the bishop\u2019s stewardship is for everyone who lives in the ward\u2019s boundaries. Therefore, for all of us, our stewardship includes providing the gospel to others.<\/p>\n

Lorenzo D. Barnes was an early convert and missionary, recently called on a mission to England late in 1841. Barnes arrived and was assigned to preside over the Bradford conference, where he died later that year. He is believed to be the first LDS missionary to die in the midst of his service.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Bold Pilgrim<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Written on board the ship Southernor, by Lorenzo D. Barnes, Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, While on his Voyage from New York to England, on a mission. Jan. 1842.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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I am a bold Pilgrim\u2014a message to bear<\/dd>\n
To Islands, and Countries, and Kingdoms afar;<\/dd>\n
For the Lord, from the heavens, a message has sent<\/dd>\n
To call on the Nations\u2014Believe and Repent,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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The Gospel of Christ is now made so plain,<\/dd>\n
That none need to doubt\u2014the truth of the same;<\/dd>\n
For the simple and wise, and the way-faring man,<\/dd>\n
May all believe in, and be saved by one plan,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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In the days of St. Paul, the Gospel of Christ<\/dd>\n
Was free unto all, without money or price;<\/dd>\n
It did with ritch gifts, the believer endow\u2014<\/dd>\n
It always did this, and so it will now,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Glad tidings! Glad tidings! let the nations rejoice!<\/dd>\n
Ye Elders of Israel, O, lift up your voice,<\/dd>\n
Like Angels of God\u2014and proclaim the glad news,<\/dd>\n
With sounds of rejoicing\u2014to Gentiles and Jews,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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But no man can tell what trials and cares<\/dd>\n
These Elders of Israel are called to bare;<\/dd>\n
For year after year they are called to roam,<\/dd>\n
As strangers and pilgrims, afar from their home,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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But though from their kindred and friends who are dear,<\/dd>\n
They are called to the Nations, this message to bear,<\/dd>\n
They never repent it, nor never repine,<\/dd>\n
But cheerfully spend both their money and time,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And now as I’m called, this message to bear,<\/dd>\n
By land and by sea, to the Nations afar,<\/dd>\n
Some acts of my life I will try to explain,<\/dd>\n
And I hope I may not be thought to be vain,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Lorenzo D. Barnes, in truth, is my name;<\/dd>\n
Descended from Ephraim, my lineage I claim;<\/dd>\n
I was born in New England\u2014and when but a child<\/dd>\n
My Parents removed to Ohio’s dark wild,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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My Parents sojourn’d on the Western Reserve\u2014<\/dd>\n
‘Twas near to the town of New Portage they lived;<\/dd>\n
They were kind unto all\u2014and were pious indeed\u2014<\/dd>\n
And brought up their Children in the Methodist Creed,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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But when the Gospel I heard, I could not believe<\/dd>\n
The doctrine and system which they receiv’d;<\/dd>\n
For the Ordinances of God were lightly pass’d by,<\/dd>\n
And the Gifts of the Gospel their preachers deny,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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So when to my Friends, and my Parents most kind,<\/dd>\n
I ventured to tell the thoughts of my mind,<\/dd>\n
“Beware of Delusion,” was what they all said;<\/dd>\n
“For much of False Prophets, in the Bible we’ve read,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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I then felt determin’d to know the right wy,<\/dd>\n
And evening and morning I ceas’d not to pray;<\/dd>\n
The Bible I read with much candor and care,<\/dd>\n
And with it all systems I tryed to compare,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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‘Twas then I discovered, with sorrow and pain,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
That the world, long deluded, in darkness had lain;<\/dd>\n
For sect upon sect had spread the world round,<\/dd>\n
But the Gifts of the Gospel in none could be found<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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But no tongue can express the joy I received,<\/dd>\n
As the promises to Israel I read and believ’d;<\/dd>\n
That God would the tribes of Israel restore<\/dd>\n
Again to their lands to be scattered no more,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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When the harvest should come, a standard He’d raise,<\/dd>\n
That the Nations upon it in rapture might gaze;<\/dd>\n
While the Elders of Israel, inspir’d of God,<\/dd>\n
Should bare to the Nations, these tidings abroad,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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The Kingdom of Heaven should spread its domain,<\/dd>\n
Opposers should strive to impede it in vain;<\/dd>\n
As the light of the morn, it should spread the world round<\/dd>\n
Till nought but purity on the earth should be found<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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The plan of salvation was brought to my view,<\/dd>\n
And the Scriptures appear’d entirely new;<\/dd>\n
And the more I listen’d the more I believ’d<\/dd>\n
These Elders of Israel the truth had receiv’d,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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They were fill’d with the Spirit and power of God,<\/dd>\n
They boldly and plainly expounded his word;<\/dd>\n
And taught, in such clearness, salvation to man,<\/dd>\n
I fancied that all would believe in the plan,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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As for me, I determin’d without more delay,<\/dd>\n
To step forward boldly, and the Gospel obey;<\/dd>\n
The Lord had been kind\u2014my prayers He has heard,<\/dd>\n
And why should I doubt in the work of the Lord,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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My soul was o’erwhelmed with joy and surprise,<\/dd>\n
And the tears in torrents flow’d down from my eyes;<\/dd>\n
Like the notes of an Angel, most sweet was the sound,<\/dd>\n
And I knew the Pearl of Great Price I had found,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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I felt willing to part with my sports and my fame,<\/dd>\n
My gayest companions, and honorable name;<\/dd>\n
My Parents and Friends, though dear as my life,<\/dd>\n
To obtain this Pearl\u2014the Pearl of Great Price,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Then bidding the world and its trifles adieu,<\/dd>\n
The Saviour’s example I tried to pursue;<\/dd>\n
Being buried with Him in the pure limped stream,<\/dd>\n
That my sole from all sin his blood might redeem,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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A gentle pure spirit then prevail’d in my breast,<\/dd>\n
And calm’d all my sorrows\u2014in silence to rest;<\/dd>\n
All doubts and all fears were banish’d from my heart,<\/dd>\n
And with truth I determined I never would part,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Not all the vain world such peace could afford,<\/dd>\n
My joys they sprang from the God I adored;<\/dd>\n
In anthem’s of praise my soul did rejoice,<\/dd>\n
That the truth I had found, and made Jesus my choice,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And, O! the glad scene which then burst on my view!<\/dd>\n
I beheld Christ’s Kingdom established a new,<\/dd>\n
As fair as the moon, and as clear as the sun,<\/dd>\n
Preparing as a Bride for the Bridegroom to come,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And now as I gaze, with rapture and delight,<\/dd>\n
On this glorious scene which dawn’d on my sight,<\/dd>\n
I rejoiced, and thank’d heav’n, for the day I was born,<\/dd>\n
To live in this age\u2014the Millennial Morn,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And though I was young, and slow in my speech,<\/dd>\n
I was call’d from my home Salvation to teach;<\/dd>\n
Being called of God, and to the Priesthood ordain’d<\/dd>\n
To publish Salvation in Jesus’s name,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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I also rejoiced, that the days of my youth<\/dd>\n
Might now be employ’d in proclaiming the truth;<\/dd>\n
And boldly went forth through my own native land,<\/dd>\n
Proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven’s at hand,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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And now to all people, to lands far and near,<\/dd>\n
we invite you to bow to this message we bear;<\/dd>\n
Be meek, and be lowly, be wash’d in the stream,<\/dd>\n
And the blood of the Saviour your souls shall redeem,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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The work we declare is the work of our God,<\/dd>\n
It still will prevail and will spread far abroad,<\/dd>\n
Till nations, long shrouded in darkness and gloom,<\/dd>\n
Shall rise to the light\u2014as the dead from the tomb,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Old Israel shall come, with his tribes from the north,<\/dd>\n
Like the sands by the sea, in number his host;<\/dd>\n
On truth’s fair standard, shall his banner be furl’d,<\/dd>\n
While Zion’s bright glory shall enlighten the world,<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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Then joys unnumber’d without pain or alloy,<\/dd>\n
The Angels from heav’n and the Saints will enjoy;<\/dd>\n
While peace, like a river, shall extend the world round,<\/dd>\n
And the knowledge of God o’er the earth shall abount.<\/p>\n
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In the Last Days.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1842<\/p>\n

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The Lord helps me avoid deception.<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, one of the principal concerns for trying to fulfill a stewardship is the possibility of deception, whether it is intended or not, whether self-inflicted or not. Here, Eliza R. Snow sees a pretty clear dichotomy between deception and certainty. Unfortunately, it\u2019s often difficult to tell between the two.<\/p>\n

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To Be, or Not to Be<\/span><\/h3>\n

by Eliza R. Snow<\/p>\n

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To be a Saint, or not to be,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Is ev\u2019ry one\u2019s prerogative<\/p>\n
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To choose.\u2014If from volition free,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
You make your choice, THAT nobly live.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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The feint of doing things by halves,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Is worse than doing not at all:<\/p>\n
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Canst worship God and golden calves?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Bear Jesus\u2019 cross, with satan\u2019s pall?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Will God and mammon, be allied?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Can Jesus Christ and Baal unite?<\/p>\n
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Will truth and falsehood coincide,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Or darkness propagate the light?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Then, wherefore think with mockery,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Or base deception, to prevail?<\/p>\n
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Why bend to God the falt\u2019ring knee,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And yield the heart and hand to Baal?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Why, smiling, gaze upon the cloud,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Which, gath\u2019ring, forms the deadly blast?<\/p>\n
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Why, tamper with the coiling shroud,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Till in its folds it binds you fast?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Who waits the thunder\u2019s voice, to tell<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Of the fierce lightning\u2019s fatal stream?<\/p>\n
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Or trusts th\u2019 enchantress\u2019 fairy spell<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
T\u2019 avert the lifted poniard\u2019s gleam?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Rise, trim your lamps and make them bright\u2014<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Keep ev\u2019ry thought and eye awake:<\/p>\n
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Gird on your armor, for the fight\u2014<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Truth, freedom, virtue are at stake.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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You who indulge in carnal ease,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Awaken from your treach\u2019rous sleep,<\/p>\n
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Rise\u2014ev\u2019ry post of duty seize,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And sacred, ev\u2019ry cov\u2019nant keep.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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When God a crucible prepares,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
It burns with dross-consuming heat:<\/p>\n
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His threshing floor will waste the tares,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
But He\u2019ll preserve the precious wheat.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1863<\/p>\n

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I can turn to the Lord when I am hurt by others\u2019 choices.<\/h2>\n

As mentioned above, stewardship is broader than just what we\u2019re responsible for, and it clearly involves others, even if the others are acting like enemies. During the 1857 Utah War, she addressed the complaints and fears of the women of Utah to those accompanying the U.S. soldiers in the expedition, asking why they had chosen to support those who might hurt those in Utah. Fortunately, the war was settled without serious bloodshed.<\/p>\n

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The Ladies of Utah to the Ladies of the United States Camp in a Crusade against the \u2018Mormons\u2019<\/span><\/h3>\n

by Eliza R. Snow<\/p>\n

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Why are you in these mountains,<\/p>\n
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Expos\u2019d to frosts and snows,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Far from your shelt\u2019ring houses\u2014<\/p>\n
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From comfort and repose?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Has cruel persecution,<\/p>\n
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With unrelenting hand,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Thrust you from home and kindred<\/p>\n
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And from your native land?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Have you been mob\u2019d and plunder\u2019d<\/p>\n
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Till you are penniless,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And then in destitution<\/p>\n
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Driven to the wilderness?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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No, no; you\u2019ve join\u2019d a crusade<\/p>\n
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Against the peace of those<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Driv\u2019n to these distant valleys<\/p>\n
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By cruel, murd\u2019rous foes.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Amid the dreary desert,<\/p>\n
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Where hideous red men roam\u2014<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Where beasts of prey were howling,<\/p>\n
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We\u2019ve made ourselves a home.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We never had intruded<\/p>\n
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As you would now intrude;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
We\u2019ve never sought to injure\u2014<\/p>\n
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We\u2019ve sought for others\u2019 good.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We came through sore compulsion,<\/p>\n
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And not from wicked choice;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
We had, in all our sorrow,<\/p>\n
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Heaven\u2019s sweet consoling voice.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Can woman\u2019s heart be callous<\/p>\n
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And made of flint or steel?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Perhaps you\u2019ll learn to pity,<\/p>\n
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When you are made to feel.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Should sickness prey upon you<\/p>\n
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And children cry for bread,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
With bitter self-reproaches<\/p>\n
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You\u2019ll rue the path you tread.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We\u2019re form\u2019d of blood and sinews<\/p>\n
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And flesh, as well as you;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And we have hearts compos\u2019d of<\/p>\n
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As many fibres too.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We love with purer feelings<\/p>\n
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Our husbands, children, friends;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
We\u2019ve learnt to prize the blessings<\/p>\n
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Which God in mercy sends.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We have the ancient order<\/p>\n
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To us by prophets given,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And here we have the pattern<\/p>\n
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As things exist in heav\u2019n.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We\u2019re well prepar\u2019d to teach you,<\/p>\n
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And that you may discern;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
We simply here remind you,<\/p>\n
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You\u2019ve just commenc\u2019d to learn.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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We\u2019d fain from human suff\u2019ring<\/p>\n
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Each barbed arrow draw;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
But yet self-preservation<\/p>\n
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Is God\u2019s and nature\u2019s law.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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The Scriptures are fulfilling\u2014<\/p>\n
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The spoiler\u2019s being spoil\u2019d;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
All satan\u2019s foul devices<\/p>\n
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\u2019Gainst Zion will be foil\u2019d.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1857<\/p>\n

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Blessed are the pure in heart.<\/h2>\n

What\u2019s required for a successful stewardship? What are the elements that lead to success? While there may be many contributing elements, surely our motivations are foremost. Being pure in heart is what will lead to good stewardship, as English poet John Lyon suggests in this poem.<\/p>\n

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Praise to God<\/span><\/h3>\n

by John Lyon<\/p>\n

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To thee, O God, we do approach<\/p>\n
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With gratitude and praise,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
To know thy character is such<\/p>\n
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As ’twas in former days;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
That thou hast made us in thy form,<\/p>\n
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Though now we fallen be,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Yet but in fashion like a worm,<\/p>\n
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We’ll rise to live like thee.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Thou dwellest in the purest light,<\/p>\n
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Where truth and glory shine;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
The brightest of perfected power,<\/p>\n
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And majesty is thine:<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
But man, alas! how prone to sin,<\/p>\n
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How subject to disease;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Deformed and fallen, touch,d with death,<\/p>\n
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He bends to every breeze.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Yes, thanks be to thy holy name,<\/p>\n
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For truth restored to earth;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
That man, though lost, can now regain<\/p>\n
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A pure celestial birth;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And be restored to thy bright form,<\/p>\n
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Through constancy and love;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
To see thy face, and live with thee<\/p>\n
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On earth, or Heaven above.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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What honour, glory, and renown,<\/p>\n
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Await the pure in heart,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
When they, transformed to be like thee,<\/p>\n
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Shall all thy light impart,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And have eternal lives to give,<\/p>\n
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And kingdoms, worlds, to sway;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Nor pain, nor death, nor sorrow feel,<\/p>\n
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Through all eternity.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1853<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How do we define the word \u2018stewardship\u2019? In church we use it quite a lot \u2014 maybe as much as we use the word \u2018responsibility\u2019 \u2014 but since we use both and since they are somewhat interchangeable, I wish I knew of a clear statement that distinguished how we use these two terms. As far as I can tell, \u2018stewardship\u2019 is something larger, taking in more than just specific tasks or the clear responsibilities of a role. A stewardship seems more all-encompassing \u2014 and this graphic I found, which to me resonates with the covenants in the Temple, I think gives a sense of how \u2018stewardship\u2019 touches all parts of our lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":50006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latter-day-saint-thought"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_2154.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/111"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49973"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50011,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49973\/revisions\/50011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}