MORMON: Poem tells the story

It seems that every time articles appear in the paper about “Mormons,” both good and bad, the misconceptions and half-truths get repeated. Most of this comes from misunderstood gospel concepts. How this misinformation gets refueled is beyond me but we “Mormons” tolerate it and hope for the chance to visit with those claiming they know our beliefs so we can clear up the misquoted quotes from the past. If done it will require an open mind on all participating parties.

I have been reading the four gospels lately taking time to ponder and pray about what I’m reading and it is gratifying to know that I can be taught from on High; as we all can.

Years ago when I was about 16 I heard the poem below that I feel explains how I feel about my relationship with a kind, loving, Father-in-Heaven. Kind and loving yes, but also never diverting from the truths he has taught His children through the ages of time by prophets he has called. This poem explains how I receive personal revelation about my own challenges, revelation that helps me meet these challenges head-on; and if I try my best to practice Christ-like attributes during these trials, I become a stronger person at the conclusion of the challenge.

I invite you to read this poem and when we meet hopefully we can discuss it on common grounds of faith in God. As you read, just remember that it states in Genesis, “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Without Body Parts or Passions

You tell me my friend,

Of a God in the air;

Of a god that is good,

That is kind; that is fair.

You say He is here,

Though unseen by the eye;

That He fills the earth,

The sea, and the sky.

You say He’s all knowing,

Understands laughter and tears;

That He’s tender and loving,

That He’ll calm all my fears.

You tell me He knows me,

And will dwell in my heart;

But you say God’s not body,

Not passions or parts.

You tell me your God,

Will direct all a-right;

But you say there’s no image,

No form to His light.

And you say of my sorrows,

And joys, your God knows;

But a God without feeling

Can He understand those?

My friend, this God

You’ve been talking about;

Has left me confused,

In my mind there is a doubt.

Of course I’ll agree

And it’s well understood;

That He’s merciful,

Great, wise, and good.

But to your creed

I cannot agree;

Since I believe,

God is much like me.

For I believe,

As it is stated;

That in His image,

I was created.

And God, who’s my father

In heaven above,

Knows each of His children,

He cares and He loves.

But if as you say,

No passions He knows;

Then God is dead,

For what’s man without those?

You say God is real,

But no feeling he has;

That he has no body,

No fingers or hands.

If He has no parts,

Such as ears, as you say;

Then tell me my friend,

Why do you pray?

And if, as you say,

This God has no eyes;

Then why, when I sin,

Do I sense that He cries?

If God has no mouth,

His voice, it is still;

Then how did his prophets,

Hear Him speak divine will?

If God has no face,

No arms and no feet;

If God cannot hold me,

And feel my heart beat.

Then God is no more,

Than a thought of the mind;

A figment of conscience,

A dream we cannot find.

No wonder that men,

Say that God’s not alive;

A god such as yours,

Comes and goes with the tide.

But I say, my dear friend,

That God is a man;

That He lives, and He loves us,

As anyone can.

That He thinks and He talks,

And He hears, and He sees;

That we pray to a Father,

When we fall on our knees.

My friend, this is God,

A man who is real;

Who knows passions, has parts,

And a body to feel.

While your God is great,

Whom you cannot see;

I have a God,

That is personal to me.

— Anonymous

LARRY BARNES

Coeur d’Alene