{"id":54583,"date":"2026-09-21T06:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T12:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=54583"},"modified":"2026-09-20T18:09:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T00:09:51","slug":"cfm-9-28-10-4-thoughts-and-poetry-for-comfort-ye-my-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/cfm-9-28-10-4-thoughts-and-poetry-for-comfort-ye-my-people\/","title":{"rendered":"CFM 9\/28-10\/4: Thoughts and Poetry for \u201cComfort Ye My People\u201d<\/i>"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Does anyone not need comfort?<\/p>\n

Over the course of this year\u2019s scripture study, I have noticed how frequently we talk about suffering, and the need for suffering. If nothing else, the lesson on Job focuses on the fact that everyone goes through suffering in this life \u2014 and recently I pointed out<\/a> that our beliefs teach that suffering is a necessary part of what we need to learn in this life, something that has appeared in our poetry for a long time.<\/p>\n

Comfort is the other side of suffering. We need comfort to help us with suffering, and to relieve us of the feelings we have because of our suffering. Its one thing to intellectually recognize the need for suffering and what it teaches us, and it is quite another thing to process the feelings that come with suffering.<\/p>\n

And the Lord has several ways to comfort us. The scriptures are often a source of comfort, especially those verses we find beautiful and uplifting. And the knowledge in the scriptures that helps us understand the reason for suffering and our place in the Universe are often comforting. Our families and our community can be a source of comfort. Beauty in general, whether in Nature or in artwork, can provide another source of comfort. And time can help us find comfort, as we gain eternal perspective on our suffering (like I pointed out recently<\/a>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jesus Christ can comfort me and give me hope.<\/h2>\n

Prayer is another way to gain comfort in our suffering. Prayer goes beyond simple communication with God to actual communion with Him. It\u2019s more like getting a hug from a friend than reading a text message, even though the same message is given.<\/p>\n

This hymn from Evan Stephens urges us to make the effort to find comfort in prayer. He sees prayer as a \u2018healing balm\u2019 and a source of comfort when friends and family aren\u2019t available. And he promises relief through prayer, which will give us relief and lighten our load and way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Prayer\u2014Hymn Anthem<\/h3>\n

by Evan Stephens<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
When thy soul is sad and weary<\/p>\n
\n
Seek relief in pray’r,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
When the way is dark and dreary<\/p>\n
\n
Still there’s comfort there;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
There’s a healing balm that prayer<\/p>\n
\n
Can alone impart,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And a comfort sent from heaven<\/p>\n
\n
To the seeking heart.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
When thy dearest hope is blighted,<\/p>\n
\n
Like the autumn flowers,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And despair takes hold upon thee<\/p>\n
\n
In thy trying hour,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And in vain thou lookest round thee<\/p>\n
\n
for some friendly aid,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Turn to heav’n in supplication,<\/p>\n
\n
Ask, nor be afraid.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Then a heav’nly consolation<\/p>\n
\n
Will relieve the heart,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Of its burden of vexation<\/p>\n
\n
And its aching smart;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And thy trust in God will lighten<\/p>\n
\n
All thy deep despair,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And thy way thro’ life will brighten<\/p>\n
\n
By the aid of prayer.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1913<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThou art my servant.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Our understanding of our relationship with our Father depends a lot on our worldview. Sometimes we think of ourselves as His children, and other times we think of ourselves as His servants. Both ways of seeing teach us different things, different kinds of humility, different roles and give us different obligations. I suspect today we have a strong preference for seeing ourselves as His children\u2014which makes me wonder what we might loose in not thinking of ourselves as His servants.<\/p>\n

This poem focuses on that role of servant, seeking the Father\u2019s attention and blessing in our efforts. Somehow as servants we seem more humble, and less sure that our prayers will be answered. But even in this poem, the role is both, since while naming himself as a servant, the poet also addresses God as our Father. Where does that leave us in defining our relationship with God?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

O Father, hear thy servant’s prayer<\/h3>\n

by Joel H. Johnson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
O Father, hear thy servant’s prayer,<\/p>\n
\n
While I to thee draw nigh:<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Do thou my waiting soul prepare,<\/p>\n
\n
For blessings from on high.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
I ask not golden streams to flow<\/p>\n
\n
Along my earthly way;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Nor many scores of years below,<\/p>\n
\n
For long I would not stay.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
I ask not pleasure, pow’r nor fame,<\/p>\n
\n
That earthly things can give;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
I ask no honor to my name<\/p>\n
\n
That Saints do not receive.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
I ask for wisdom, faith and pow’r<\/p>\n
\n
That comes from thee, my God;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
To save me in each trying hour,<\/p>\n
\n
And from thy chast’ning rod.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Save, too, the young and tender boughs<\/p>\n
\n
That from my loins proceed;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
That they may pay thy servant’s vows,<\/p>\n
\n
Like holy men, indeed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
May they become a mighty tree,<\/p>\n
\n
Like Joseph’s bough of old,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Whose branches run from sea to sea,<\/p>\n
\n
Whose numbers can’t be told.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1882<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God\u2019s power is greater than worldly power.<\/h2>\n

When we seek comfort, we often seek power \u2014 and we assume that power is needed to overcome the source of our suffering. Knowing that our Father has more power than any human or any earthly force, suggests that the reason we are suffering isn\u2019t because God can\u2019t help, but rather that we suffer because God allows it to happen. We are here in this life to learn, and as our leaders and poets have indicated, the suffering is part of this learning, even if we don\u2019t understand how at the moment. God\u2019s power simply confirms that its not a failure. We can take comfort in his strength and abilities, even if they aren\u2019t used.<\/p>\n

In this poem Joel Johnson sees the power of God as an active force in the world, accomplishing His purposes and building His kingdom. He also predicts an accompanying decline in the power of the \u201cGentiles.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

O Father, still on Zion’s hill<\/h3>\n

by Joel H. Johnson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
O Father, still on Zion’s hill<\/p>\n
\n
Thy love and power make known,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Till nations, all, before thee fall,<\/p>\n
\n
And Zion’s sceptre own.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,<\/p>\n
\n
O’er all the earth and main,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
That peace and joy, without alloy,<\/p>\n
\n
In ev’ry heart may reign.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
For Gentile power shall from this hour<\/p>\n
\n
Upon the earth decrease,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Till Christ again shall come to reign,<\/p>\n
\n
And fill the earth with peace.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Then great reward, from Christ the Lord,<\/p>\n
\n
Will to the Saints be given;<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Hosanna sing to Zion’s King,<\/p>\n
\n
Ye Saints, in earth and heav’n.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1882<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Lord can refine me through my afflictions.<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the greatest comfort in suffering is something we don\u2019t always get\u2014an understanding of why we are suffering. The idea that we need to find meaning in suffering is echoed in as disparate places as Buddhist theology and the philosophy of holocaust survivor Victor Frankl, as well as in our LDS doctrine and, of course, poetry.<\/p>\n

In the following poem, Eliza R. Snow consoles a friend on the suffering in her life. When she immigrated to Utah, Elizabeth Goddard left behind her aged mother, and then witnessed five of her children die en route to Utah.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

A Tribute to Mrs. Elizabeth Goddard on the Anniversary of Her Birthday<\/h3>\n

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

\n
DEAR LADY\u2014MY SISTER:<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
I fain would express<\/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
A wish for your welfare\u2014a wish that will bless.<\/p>\n
\n
\u2019Twere not well if your life were a pathway of ease,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
In which all that transpires is conspiring to please;\u2014<\/dd>\n
A life where no clouds and no shadows shall come,<\/dd>\n
Where all is bright sunshine, sweet fragrance and bloom;\u2014<\/dd>\n
A life without object, care, use or design;\u2014<\/dd>\n
A life with no furnace, the gold to refine.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Be assured, my dear lady, far better your life<\/dd>\n
Be with sorrow and trying perplexities rife;<\/dd>\n
That the gifts you\u2019re endow\u2019d with thro\u2019 experience grow,<\/dd>\n
And your power of endurance by tests you may show.<\/dd>\n
It is needful to taste of the good and the ill,<\/dd>\n
To prepare high positions with honor to fill.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
In proportion to labors, rewards will be given.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

May you earn in earth\u2019s workshop a fulness in heaven.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

\n
\n
\n
May you don all the armor the Gospel requires,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
And invest all the energies wisdom inspires.<\/dd>\n
In the course you\u2019re pursuing, be certain you\u2019re right,<\/dd>\n
Then whate\u2019er may oppose, neither shun nor invite.<\/dd>\n
Unstinted by sloth and unclogg\u2019d by abuse,<\/dd>\n
May your faculties strengthen by practical use.<\/dd>\n
May your usefulness grow, and your labors, tho\u2019 great,<\/dd>\n
Increase year by year in responsible weight.<\/dd>\n
To humanity\u2019s interests ever awake,<\/dd>\n
Be firm in truth\u2019s conflict for righteousness\u2019 sake.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
There is much to replenish, and much to subdue,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Which requires deep reflection and vigilance, too.<\/dd>\n
The relief of the poor claims the heart and the hand;<\/dd>\n
While retrenchment reforms, great exertions demand.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
Arouse every effort those ills to remove,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Which sap the foundation of union and love;<\/dd>\n
Which thro\u2019 worldly ambition and selfishness grow,<\/dd>\n
And pander to vain ostentation and show.<\/dd>\n
Set your face as a flint, else ambition and pride<\/dd>\n
Will your precept and practice ignobly divide.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
May the rich consolations the gospel bestows,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n
Under every bereavement, your sorrows compose.<\/dd>\n
May your name in all future, in honor be known<\/dd>\n
For your noble example\u2014for the good you have done,<\/dd>\n
That your peace, as a river, may constantly flow,<\/dd>\n
Is the wish of your sister and friend,<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
E. R. SNOW.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

1871<\/p>\n

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

Does anyone not need comfort? Over the course of this year\u2019s scripture study, I have noticed how frequently we talk about suffering, and the need for suffering. If nothing else, the lesson on Job focuses on the fact that everyone goes through suffering in this life \u2014 and recently I pointed out that our beliefs teach that suffering is a necessary part of what we need to learn in this life, something that has appeared in our poetry for a long time. Comfort is the other side of suffering. We need comfort to help us with suffering, and to relieve us of the feelings we have because of our suffering. Its one thing to intellectually recognize the need for suffering and what it teaches us, and it is quite another thing to process the feelings that come with suffering. And the Lord has several ways to comfort us. The scriptures are often a source of comfort, especially those verses we find beautiful and uplifting. And the knowledge in the scriptures that helps us understand the reason for suffering and our place in the Universe are often comforting. Our families and our community can be a source of comfort. Beauty in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":54589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2895,2906,2462,1323],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-come-follow-me-currculum","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\/09\/IMG_4456.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54583","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=54583"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54599,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54583\/revisions\/54599"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}