Comments on: Gospel Principles from the King of England http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/ Uplifting, edifying, and enriching reading by and for Latter-day Saint Women Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:00:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Silver http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1676 Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:11:41 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1676 You MUST read Rachel Naomi Remen's book, My Grandfather's Blessings. I read it several years ago, loving it all along the way, and then I got to the epilogue where she springs forth with a Book of Mormon reference (she is not Mormon) and also quoted this poem. It was very powerful, just as yours was in the way you presented it here for us. A snip from Remen's story of the poem (please get the book from your nearest library or bookstore and read how the Jaredites' story touched and impressed her--it's just two pages, pg 375 and 376--and how it ties in with this poem) "Years ago, a friend in England sent me a card with a quote from King George V's Christmas message to the British people. Shortly before I received this card, my mother, old and very ill, had come from New York City to live the last years of her life with me. She had loved this card and kept it in her purse. Throughout her final illness it stood on her bedside table. It was there on the day that she died. I have framed it now and keep it in my kitchen." She quotes the poem and writes of light, freedom, grace, trust, and the promised land. Using this poem and her response to the Jaredite story as the ending of her book, is a tribute that is soul-stirring. You MUST read Rachel Naomi Remen’s book, My Grandfather’s Blessings. I read it several years ago, loving it all along the way, and then I got to the epilogue where she springs forth with a Book of Mormon reference (she is not Mormon) and also quoted this poem. It was very powerful, just as yours was in the way you presented it here for us.

A snip from Remen’s story of the poem (please get the book from your nearest library or bookstore and read how the Jaredites’ story touched and impressed her–it’s just two pages, pg 375 and 376–and how it ties in with this poem)

“Years ago, a friend in England sent me a card with a quote from King George V’s Christmas message to the British people. Shortly before I received this card, my mother, old and very ill, had come from New York City to live the last years of her life with me. She had loved this card and kept it in her purse. Throughout her final illness it stood on her bedside table. It was there on the day that she died. I have framed it now and keep it in my kitchen.”

She quotes the poem and writes of light, freedom, grace, trust, and the promised land. Using this poem and her response to the Jaredite story as the ending of her book, is a tribute that is soul-stirring.

]]> by: JKS http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1671 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:44:03 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1671 It is VERY hard to do, especially when you need it most. Sometimes during times of tragedy or pain or fear you can do it more easily, but sometimes during difficult times it is actually harder. You are dealing with anger or blame and other negative emotions and if those you love are going through a hard time it is hard to let go. It is VERY hard to do, especially when you need it most. Sometimes during times of tragedy or pain or fear you can do it more easily, but sometimes during difficult times it is actually harder. You are dealing with anger or blame and other negative emotions and if those you love are going through a hard time it is hard to let go.

]]> by: annegb http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1668 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:11:46 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1668 JKS, thank you. I'm like Michelle, it's one of my favorite topics, but so hard to do. JKS, thank you. I’m like Michelle, it’s one of my favorite topics, but so hard to do.

]]> by: JKS http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1665 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:02:20 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1665 john f - If poetry is obscure, I need some explanation to go with it. I think the beauty of this poem excerpt is the vivid imagery of the "gate of the year" (especially when quoted a week before a new year) as well as needing a light and going out into the darkness (Christ is often referred to as a light). Simple and obvious imagery, but powerful. Roann - Another fan of Lead Kindly Light! Have I not been paying attention in church (blame kids here) or does my ward seem to never sing that hymn? john f - If poetry is obscure, I need some explanation to go with it. I think the beauty of this poem excerpt is the vivid imagery of the “gate of the year” (especially when quoted a week before a new year) as well as needing a light and going out into the darkness (Christ is often referred to as a light). Simple and obvious imagery, but powerful.

Roann - Another fan of Lead Kindly Light! Have I not been paying attention in church (blame kids here) or does my ward seem to never sing that hymn?

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1656 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 22:41:50 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1656 Thanks for that moving story of your grandma, JKS. And for helping me think once again how important it is for me to have faith that the Lord will guide me if I put my trust in Him. "Lead, Kindly Light," is one of my favorite hymns, too, Eric and Michelle. It reminds me graphically of how grateful I am that I am not still striding pridefully without God in what I considered the pure light of reason, but which was really the natural-manmade "garish day." Re planning, JKS (#14), I also try to be open to promptings as I make necessary plans in my life. Some of the best church leaders I have worked with have achieved that wonderful balance where they plan very well, but are always open to change with circumstances according to the inspiration of the Spirit. Thanks for that moving story of your grandma, JKS. And for helping me think once again how important it is for me to have faith that the Lord will guide me if I put my trust in Him.

“Lead, Kindly Light,” is one of my favorite hymns, too, Eric and Michelle. It reminds me graphically of how grateful I am that I am not still striding pridefully without God in what I considered the pure light of reason, but which was really the natural-manmade “garish day.”

Re planning, JKS (#14), I also try to be open to promptings as I make necessary plans in my life. Some of the best church leaders I have worked with have achieved that wonderful balance where they plan very well, but are always open to change with circumstances according to the inspiration of the Spirit.

]]> by: john f. http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1652 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:27:44 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1652 A compelling post, thanks. Some poetry is rich and powerful enough to influence our lives. This poem is certainly in that category, as evidenced by your grandma's experience. Poetry is a mystery to me. This poem is straightforward and simple, so different from other poems that move me, such as <a href="http://www.celan-projekt.de/todesfuge-englisch.html" rel="nofollow">Paul Celan's "Death Fugue"</a> or <a href="http://poetlaureate.il.gov/Lee_Tearing.cfm" rel="nofollow">Li-Young Lee's "Every Wise Child is Sad"</a>. And yet, often the most simple poetry can be just as powerful as the most opaque or metaphorical poetry. Thanks for getting me to thinking about this. A compelling post, thanks. Some poetry is rich and powerful enough to influence our lives. This poem is certainly in that category, as evidenced by your grandma’s experience. Poetry is a mystery to me. This poem is straightforward and simple, so different from other poems that move me, such as Paul Celan’s “Death Fugue” or Li-Young Lee’s “Every Wise Child is Sad”. And yet, often the most simple poetry can be just as powerful as the most opaque or metaphorical poetry.

Thanks for getting me to thinking about this.

]]> by: JKS http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1647 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:44:44 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1647 Eric Nielson, My mom always corrects me like that too! If I say "lucky" she says "blessed." It has made me think over the years and I correct myself in my mind, now. Chris, thank you. I’m glad you liked the story. Eric James Stone and Michelle – I can’t believe I’ve never actually noticed the words to that hymn! (Can I use my kids as an excuse here?) Very powerful words. And it makes my point so well. Naiah – I am a planner so it is a hard thing to give up my own will and not always know my plan. My hope is that if I turn to the Lord while I make my plan, then he will help me make the plan he has in mind. So, I guess I hope the Lord works with my strengths, not just my weaknesses. Eric Nielson,
My mom always corrects me like that too! If I say “lucky” she says “blessed.” It has made me think over the years and I correct myself in my mind, now.

Chris, thank you. I’m glad you liked the story.

Eric James Stone and Michelle – I can’t believe I’ve never actually noticed the words to that hymn! (Can I use my kids as an excuse here?) Very powerful words. And it makes my point so well.

Naiah – I am a planner so it is a hard thing to give up my own will and not always know my plan. My hope is that if I turn to the Lord while I make my plan, then he will help me make the plan he has in mind. So, I guess I hope the Lord works with my strengths, not just my weaknesses.

]]> by: Michelle http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1646 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:23:19 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1646 JKS, this is probably one of my favorite themes to ponder, and yet one of the hardest to implement in my life. When I was single (I got married in my later 20s) and wondering how my life would unfold, I would drive to the Washington D.C. temple (a four-hour drive) and listen to a tape of BYU Men's Chorus. They sing a stunning version of "Lead, Kindly Light." That was about the third or fourth song on the tape, and all I would do is rewind and listen to those first few songs -- "Lead, Kindly Light" in particular. I would also belt it, singing with all my heart and soul because I realized I needed to trust, but sometimes it was so hard. Sorry for that aside. I don't know that I can ever hear this message of "trust and not be afraid" enough. Thank you, thank you! JKS, this is probably one of my favorite themes to ponder, and yet one of the hardest to implement in my life. When I was single (I got married in my later 20s) and wondering how my life would unfold, I would drive to the Washington D.C. temple (a four-hour drive) and listen to a tape of BYU Men’s Chorus. They sing a stunning version of “Lead, Kindly Light.” That was about the third or fourth song on the tape, and all I would do is rewind and listen to those first few songs — “Lead, Kindly Light” in particular. I would also belt it, singing with all my heart and soul because I realized I needed to trust, but sometimes it was so hard.

Sorry for that aside. I don’t know that I can ever hear this message of “trust and not be afraid” enough. Thank you, thank you!

]]> by: Naiah http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1645 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:28:31 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1645 Yes! The real poetry is in the act of letting go and taking His hand in the darkness! Maybe not even just in darkness, but in just the lessened perspective that is the mortal mind...Mmmm, I'm going to chew on that one for a while...not 'beginning with the end in mind,' but beginning with His end in mind, even when we can't see what it may be... Oh, my 'inner Type-A' shudders at the thought, but sometimes that is all we can, and exactly what we should do! Wow, thanks for this... Yes! The real poetry is in the act of letting go and taking His hand in the darkness! Maybe not even just in darkness, but in just the lessened perspective that is the mortal mind…Mmmm, I’m going to chew on that one for a while…not ‘beginning with the end in mind,’ but beginning with His end in mind, even when we can’t see what it may be…

Oh, my ‘inner Type-A’ shudders at the thought, but sometimes that is all we can, and exactly what we should do!

Wow, thanks for this…

]]> by: Eric James Stone http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1644 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:22:18 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/26/gospel-principles-from-the-king-of-england/#comment-1644 The sentiment expressed in the poem reminds me of the first two verses to the hymn "Lead, Kindly Light": Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom; Lead thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene—one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path; but now, Lead thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. Text: John Henry Newman, 1801–1890 http://tinyurl.com/qpkex The sentiment expressed in the poem reminds me of the first two verses to the hymn “Lead, Kindly Light”:

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

Text: John Henry Newman, 1801–1890
http://tinyurl.com/qpkex

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