1 NEPHI, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN For eight long years we traveled through the wilderness, from whence We had but contact with collectors of sweet frankincense. We did not seek the company of cities by the shore, But stayed beneath the canopy of thorns like some wild boar. Our wives gave birth and weaned their children on raw meat and honey; We lived unto ourselves, without strange priestcraft or lure of money. We traded when we had to for new garments or supplies, But mostly we were wanderers beneath the starry skies. The desert life is savage, but because the word of God Was with us we did not become uncivilized or odd. At last the ball of brass took us unto a fruitful shore, Where the mighty ocean crashed its waves with muted roar. A land of fruit and honey, Bountiful we called it gladly – Where the blossoms on the trees made the bees fly madly. In Bountiful we rested, twas a Sabbath of delight, Where a man could catch a fish or poetry indite. After many days the Lord called from a mountain top, So I hurried up to Him, with no delay or stop. There the Lord commanded me to build a sturdy ship To take us all across the waves at a lively clip. And even though I had no skill as a shipwright, He Opened up my mind to it unto the last degree. I started with the iron ore, to forge the tools I needed. My older brothers laughed at me, completely unimpeded. I struck a spark, to make a flame -- I kept the fire going; Leather bellows made I for to keep the coals a-glowing. Sam and father helped me, but my older brothers balked; They, too, were commanded, but instead away they stalked. They rehearsed the same old stuff, complaining of their exile From Jerusalem, and how they now had a rough life style. Father was a dreamer and I, too, was but a fool; And never would they live under my tutelage or rule. Then it was the spirit of the Lord did fill my frame; I bade them listen carefully, and called them each by name – Ye remember Moses and the miracles he wrought, Destroying pharaoh’s army like it was a thing of naught. He took our people to the lands where righteousness had died, And gave it to our fathers to build up with godly pride. God is no respecter of a people, place, or thing – He’d just as soon make me a beggar as a vaunted king. Now our people have begun iniquity to hunt, And God will handle them as He handles all those who affront. He’ll scatter them and make their name a byword to the nations Of His work and glory, and his immutable expectations. He’ll gather them again in their due time, but for right now – OUR ONLY JOB, TO BUILD THIS SHIP FROM STERN TO STURDY PROW! My soul is rent with anguish for the hardness of your hearts; I feel as if the adversary wounds me with his darts – At this my older brothers stretched their hands forth unto me – But I did rebuke them with a holy energy. Touch me not, I told them, for the power of our Lord Is snapping through my body like a fiery whipping cord. You would wither as a reed before the glowing coal, And your worthless bodies hurtled down to deepest Sheol. The spirit whispered to me that I might give them a taste Of what this power felt like, if I did it in great haste. So I shocked the two of them – they fell back with a shriek; Their bodies black and blue and sore for just about a week. In terror they bowed down to me, to treat me like an idol (and only just a beat ago they were so homicidal!) But I forbade them worship me, and did not feel to gloat. All I wanted was for us to START TO BUILD GOD’S BOAT!
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 17:40:35 +0000
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