{"id":53114,"date":"2026-03-23T06:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=53114"},"modified":"2026-03-22T17:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T23:37:12","slug":"cfm-3-30-4-5-poetry-for-he-will-swallow-up-death-in-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2026\/03\/cfm-3-30-4-5-poetry-for-he-will-swallow-up-death-in-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"CFM 3\/30-4\/5: Poetry for \u201cHe Will Swallow Up Death in Victory\u201d<\/i>"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The centrality of the atonement in LDS doctrine and thought is beyond dispute. Even in the earliest LDS poetry, the atonement is frequently mentioned, and its role expounded. There is no shortage of material about Christ and his sacrifice. But that doesn\u2019t mean that our understanding of the atonement is complete and consistent. It has changed over time and still includes many different ways of understanding the doctrine.<\/p>\n

This lesson focuses on several points about the atonement \u2014 its centrality to the gospel, both ancient and modern, its ability to bring joy and peace to our lives, the power it gives us to overcome our faults and trials, and the idea that Christ has somehow paid for our sins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prophets ancient and modern testify of the Savior\u2019s atoning sacrifice.<\/h2>\n

LDS teachings say that the atonement was known by prophets from Adam through the birth of Christ, and, for that matter, the Savior\u2019s sacrifice was planned from before this life. Our belief that eternity extends in both directions, the past as well as the future, ties the sacrifice to an eternal plan.<\/p>\n

This poem focuses more on that plan than on the atonement and what was prophesied about it. But it does say that the plan, including the atonement, \u201cWas preached to Adam, Seth\u2014to Enoch and \/ To Noah, Moses and to Abraham,\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We Are, We Were and Are to Be<\/span><\/h3>\n

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

\n
\n
\n
Momentous thoughts! Thoughts full of interest<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
To each reflecting mind.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
The knowledge of<\/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
Our pre-existent state is deeply veiled<\/dd>\n
In the impenetrable cloister of<\/dd>\n
Forgetfulness, until the spirit of<\/dd>\n
The living God, which breathed in Daniel\u2019s mind<\/dd>\n
The dream forgotten by the haughty king<\/dd>\n
Of Babylon, reveals to us the mystery.<\/dd>\n
God is our Father, and we dwelt with Him<\/dd>\n
Ere Earth was temporally organized.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
To carry out our Father\u2019s great designs,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Involving our eternal destiny<\/dd>\n
And our relationship to Him and Earth,<\/dd>\n
We gave our free and uncoerced consent<\/dd>\n
To risk the consequences and abide<\/dd>\n
Whatever the result, and take our chance<\/dd>\n
In this probation, this our second state.<\/p>\n
\n
But mark the danger which we bravely dared!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
By yielding all the wealth of memory\u2014<\/dd>\n
All recollection of primeval life,<\/dd>\n
Of our exalted, royal origin,<\/dd>\n
With all th\u2019 experience and the gathered stores<\/dd>\n
Of rich intelligence and wisdom drawn<\/dd>\n
From flowing streams of sources infinite,<\/dd>\n
With all of knowledge we had treasured when<\/dd>\n
Associated with the highest class<\/dd>\n
Of pure intelligences\u2014all is laid<\/dd>\n
Aside, and we come forth upon the earth<\/dd>\n
In total ignorance, and at our birth<\/dd>\n
Commence a life as though we ne\u2019er had been:<\/dd>\n
With all to learn, from helpless babyhood<\/dd>\n
To highest manhood\u2019s fullest, broadest sphere.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
We\u2019re here to fill a noble destiny.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
This present life is but a middle state,<\/dd>\n
A short connecting link between the two<\/dd>\n
Eternities, the past and future of<\/dd>\n
Our own identical existences.<\/dd>\n
The future we are hastening to\u2014the past,<\/dd>\n
Though all forgotten, we, by honoring<\/dd>\n
Our mortal being, may anticipate,<\/dd>\n
In the high-aiming, heav\u2019n-directing path.<\/dd>\n
Of man\u2019s progression, an attainable<\/dd>\n
Attractive point, to which the present, past<\/dd>\n
And future all converge\u2014where mem\u2019ry, long<\/dd>\n
Dethroned, resuscitated with full pow\u2019rs,<\/dd>\n
Resumes its sway, and the dark curtain of<\/dd>\n
Forgetfulness is rent asunder, and,<\/dd>\n
As if with ken of Deity, we\u2019ll gaze<\/dd>\n
On all the scenes and all the sceneries<\/dd>\n
Connected with our former being, and<\/dd>\n
Our first high parentage in spirit birth,<\/dd>\n
Including knowledge of those kindred ties,<\/dd>\n
And all the dear associations formed<\/dd>\n
By friendship and by fond reciprocal<\/dd>\n
Affection. O how interesting is<\/dd>\n
The thought! I oft desire, yet almost fear<\/dd>\n
To know the sequel of the hidden past<\/dd>\n
Of my great life experience\u2014life before<\/dd>\n
\u201cThe morning stars\u201d their lofty paeans sung,<\/dd>\n
\u201cAnd all the sons of God shouted for joy.\u201d<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
How well for those who kept \u201ctheir first estate\u201d<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
In that most terrible of all revolts,<\/dd>\n
The bold rebellion in the courts above,<\/dd>\n
When Lucifer the heirship sought to wrest<\/dd>\n
From its legitimacy, and apply<\/dd>\n
Its functions to unholy purposes!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
\u2019Tis no vain thought\u2014no phantom of the brain,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
T\u2019 anticipate the time when the long spell<\/dd>\n
Of strange forgetfulness, oblivion wraps<\/dd>\n
Around the sleeping mem\u2019ries of the past<\/dd>\n
Shall be dissolved.\u2014The \u201cgates ajar,\u201d at once<\/dd>\n
The panoramic vista moves along,<\/dd>\n
With recollection\u2019s mirror unobscured,<\/dd>\n
And the great volume of primeval life<\/dd>\n
Unsealed will be unfolded leaf by leaf,<\/dd>\n
And every secret of development<\/dd>\n
Anterior to our nether birth disclosed,<\/dd>\n
With every phase of being\u2014every shade<\/dd>\n
Of light and dark, or good or ill, or mix\u2019d<\/dd>\n
In each self-woven web of character.<\/dd>\n
\u2019Tis true as strange and strange as true that this<\/dd>\n
Event secure in our great future lies.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
Ere man had fallen from the high altitude<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Of his primeval standing on the earth,<\/dd>\n
And from the presence of the Deity,<\/dd>\n
By wisdom infinite a righteous plan<\/dd>\n
Had been devised by which, thro\u2019 faith in the<\/dd>\n
Atoning blood of Jesus Christ, our own,<\/dd>\n
Our elder brother in the spirit world\u2014<\/dd>\n
God\u2019s only Son begotten in the flesh;<\/dd>\n
And thro\u2019 obed\u2019ence to His Gospel, which<\/dd>\n
Was preached to Adam, Seth\u2014to Enoch and<\/dd>\n
To Noah, Moses and to Abraham,<\/dd>\n
The glorious Everlasting Gospel, which,<\/dd>\n
With all its gifts and blessings, Priesthood, powers\u2014<\/dd>\n
Its ordinances and authority,<\/dd>\n
Has been restored to earth thro\u2019 Joseph Smith,<\/dd>\n
He may regain the holy presence of<\/dd>\n
The Great Eternal, and may e\u2019en transcend<\/dd>\n
The rank he held in Eden ere the Fall.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
Throughout the whole vast Universe of worlds,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Each kingdom has its Order and its laws,<\/dd>\n
And each its corresponding glory too.<\/dd>\n
There is one glory of the sun\u2014one of<\/dd>\n
The moon, another of the stars; and as<\/dd>\n
The stars in glory differ each from each,<\/dd>\n
So is the resurrection of the dead.<\/p>\n
\n
Who honors the celestial law is sure<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Celestial glory thro\u2019 that law to gain.<\/dd>\n
So with terrestrial and the multitude<\/dd>\n
Of the telestial glories and their laws.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
Man, as free moral agent, has the right<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And power to choose his future destiny<\/dd>\n
Thro\u2019 his adherence to whichever law<\/dd>\n
Or code he shapes his life. The fullness of<\/dd>\n
The Everlasting Gospel of the Son<\/dd>\n
Of God contains the perfect law by which<\/dd>\n
Perfection\u2019s full proportions are attained,<\/dd>\n
With Immortality and Endless Lives.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1871<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jesus Christ offers me peace and joy.<\/h2>\n

we don\u2019t always think of peace and joy in the context of the atonement, but when I think about it, the prospect of being able to repent does seem joyful and something that will lead to peace.<\/p>\n

Here, one of the prolific LDS poets of the turn of the 20th century, Theodore Curtis, sees Christ\u2019s sacrifice as leading directly to peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Voice of the Shepherd<\/span><\/h3>\n

by Theo. E. Curtis<\/p>\n

\n
Lean on mine ample arm, oh thou deprest!<\/dd>\n
And I will bid the storm cease in thy breast.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
Whate’er thy lot may be,<\/dd>\n
On life’s complaining sea,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
If thou wilt come to me, thou shalt have rest.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Lift up thy tearful eyes, sad heart, to me;<\/dd>\n
I am the sacrifice offered for thee.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
In me thy pain shall cease,<\/dd>\n
In me is thy release,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
In me thou shalt have peace eternally.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1911<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because of His Atonement, Jesus Christ has the power to help me overcome sin, death, trials, and weaknesses.<\/h2>\n

Christ has himself been called a gift to mankind, but his sacrifice, while the central element of the gift we receive, often seems like it shouldn\u2019t be called that, given how much suffering was involved. Nonetheless, we benefit and should be grateful for receiving it. The atonement provides real power\u2014enabling us to overcome our sins and the challenges of life. That is the real gift here.<\/p>\n

And it is the powers and abilities that arise from the atonement that Alberta Huish Christensen describes in this poem.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thy Gift<\/span><\/h3>\n

by Alberta Huish Christensen<\/p>\n

\n
Thy gift to me, great Prince of Bethlehem?<\/dd>\n
I cannot know the mercies infinite<\/dd>\n
That thy great sacrifice has given me;<\/dd>\n
Yet power to love, to pity, and to see,<\/dd>\n
I know are gifts from thee.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Remembering thy cup of bitter dregs,<\/dd>\n
My trembling grasp is strengthened, and I quaff<\/dd>\n
More bravely and more readily my share<\/dd>\n
“From my life\u2019s cup, though filled with pain and care\u2014<\/dd>\n
This is thy gift to me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
I hear the cry from out Gethsemane:<\/dd>\n
\u201cA debt is paid\u201d; the price was thy life\u2019s blood<\/dd>\n
Which makes men gods potential, gives them breath,<\/dd>\n
And power to see beyond the wall of death\u2014<\/dd>\n
These are thy gifts to me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1923<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for my salvation.<\/h2>\n

The scope of Christ\u2019s atonement makes the word \u201cultimate\u201d seem inadequate. Often the \u201cultimate sacrifice\u201d means that the sacrifice ended in death, but in Christ\u2019s case it is much more, a sacrifice that no one else can make. This scope leads back to the need for the sacrifice and the need for a plan to save humanity.<\/p>\n

So, the following poem again approaches the atonement from the perspective of the plan. In the final two stanzas Charles Stayner here portrays the \u201cultimate\u201d nature of the atonement.<\/p>\n

A Christmas Poem<\/span><\/h3>\n

by Charles W. Stayner<\/p>\n

\n
Down from the realms of Glorious Light,<\/dd>\n
Fulfilling God’s decree,-<\/dd>\n
For ’twas decree in council giv’n,<\/dd>\n
That one should leave His throne in Heav’n<\/dd>\n
To die for all,-<\/dd>\n
He came-Creator, Savior, Lord,-<\/dd>\n
According to the sacred word<\/dd>\n
Revealed at time of Adam’s fall,<\/dd>\n
In mortal state midst worldly night,<\/dd>\n
To shine by deeds with splendor bright.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
The earth forewarned by prophet’s voice,<\/dd>\n
Prepares her mission to fulfil;<\/dd>\n
Her wise men coming from the east<\/dd>\n
Refuse to do fierce Herod’s will,<\/dd>\n
But save the Son of God’s own choice<\/dd>\n
Who blessing brings.<\/dd>\n
For Moses-like this Prophet lay<\/dd>\n
In danger from desire to slay<\/dd>\n
In breasts of kings,<\/dd>\n
Whose jealous wrath ne’er yet forgave<\/dd>\n
Prophetic rival born to save.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
O, happy highborn, Heavenly plan,<\/dd>\n
That gave this priceless gift to man!<\/dd>\n
That sent Jehovah from above,<\/dd>\n
Where filled with love,<\/dd>\n
The seraphs and angelic hosts<\/dd>\n
All homage pay,<\/dd>\n
To God whose Glory fadeth not away;<\/dd>\n
That thus the law of consecration shown,<\/dd>\n
He might by sacrifice redeem His own!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
He whom ’twere Heaven to obey,<\/dd>\n
Whose mighty call from chaos brought the earth,<\/dd>\n
Who shone in sun, and made the moon and stars,<\/dd>\n
And sent creation forth;<\/dd>\n
Who spake in Eden with command,<\/dd>\n
Revealing pow’r of God’s right hand,-<\/dd>\n
The Father’s Representative.<\/dd>\n
‘Tis He who now in manger lain,<\/dd>\n
Deprived of judgment, destined to be slain,<\/dd>\n
Fulfils the Father’s heavenly decree,<\/dd>\n
And makes the world His great salvation see.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Thus did the Gods who in the heavens dwell,<\/dd>\n
Promote salvation where weak mortals fell,<\/dd>\n
And glory gain.<\/dd>\n
Descending low from His exalted state,<\/dd>\n
Christ drew manking so near to Heaven’s gate,<\/dd>\n
That, filled with holy thought man may aspire<\/dd>\n
To change from flesh, to a “consuming fire.”<\/dd>\n
And like the Lord great righteousness portray,<\/dd>\n
By walking in “the strait and narrow way;”<\/dd>\n
And through eternal deeds of Godly worth<\/dd>\n
Send sweet salvation forth to men on earth.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
What love like His can mortal man ere find?<\/dd>\n
To sacrifice His life for Adam’s kind<\/dd>\n
Were but a part of what to Christ was dross,<\/dd>\n
Compared with soul-salvation through the cross.<\/dd>\n
Emblem indeed, thou art, accursed tree,<\/dd>\n
Of what a Savior’s work must surely be!<\/dd>\n
For all the glory which to Him pertained<\/dd>\n
In yon bright world where Jesus lived and reigned,<\/dd>\n
Was willing laid upon the altar of His love,<\/dd>\n
That man might rise to share the thrones above.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
And all He asked in recompense for this,<\/dd>\n
Was simple restoration to the world of bliss.<\/dd>\n
He prayed-“O Father, glorify thou me<\/dd>\n
With the glory which I had with Thee<\/dd>\n
Before the world was.”<\/dd>\n
To stand again as second in command,-<\/dd>\n
The Word, the Mediator at God’s right hand,-<\/dd>\n
This was to Him who triumphed o’er the grave,<\/dd>\n
Sufficient glory. His SALVATION WAS TO SAVE.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1887<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The centrality of the atonement in LDS doctrine and thought is beyond dispute. Even in the earliest LDS poetry, the atonement is frequently mentioned, and its role expounded. There is no shortage of material about Christ and his sacrifice. But that doesn\u2019t mean that our understanding of the atonement is complete and consistent. It has changed over time and still includes many different ways of understanding the doctrine. This lesson focuses on several points about the atonement \u2014 its centrality to the gospel, both ancient and modern, its ability to bring joy and peace to our lives, the power it gives us to overcome our faults and trials, and the idea that Christ has somehow paid for our sins.   Prophets ancient and modern testify of the Savior\u2019s atoning sacrifice. LDS teachings say that the atonement was known by prophets from Adam through the birth of Christ, and, for that matter, the Savior\u2019s sacrifice was planned from before this life. Our belief that eternity extends in both directions, the past as well as the future, ties the sacrifice to an eternal plan. This poem focuses more on that plan than on the atonement and what was prophesied about it. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":53122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2895,53,2906,2462,1323],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-come-follow-me-currculum","category-latter-day-saint-thought","category-old-testament","category-poetry-arts","category-sunday-school-lesson-old-testament"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3408.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53114","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=53114"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53131,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53114\/revisions\/53131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}