October 14–20 ❘ Cleansing
Poem and discussion centering on the image of the Lord cleansing us from sin as with fuller’s soap as recorded in 3 Nephi 24:2.
Cleansing
My sleep last night was not restful.
I twisted with pain
like wool in a wash pool—
soaked in caustic fuller’s soap,
agitated, tread on, scrubbed raw,
wrung out.
I resisted, objected:
I don’t like this.
The Fuller rested,
massaged knotted hands,
sighed as He dripped sweat,
knee-deep in stench:
It’s hard work to make you clean,
for us both.
I woke fitfully,
then sank again into dreams—
this time trying to relax
and let myself be washed.
Resource: Refiner’s Fire and Fullers’ Soap
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
October 7–13 ❘ Tarry a Little Longer
Poem and discussion centering on the people at the temple in Bountiful who wanted Jesus to stay with them longer as recorded in 3 Nephi 17:5.
Tarry a Little Longer
with me. All sacred moments
must end, but before time resumes
its enduring course forward,
stay a while. I am weak—
a child who would hold You
here with me, heedless
of other plans and purposes.
Fold me in compassion
against the cold and darkness
of a guttering, uncertain world.
Weep with me to heal regret
and pray for me with words
I can’t quite find or form myself
in mind or mouth.
Brace me with eyes to see
angels gathered around, bright
with divine fire.
Promise, and I will believe,
that You will return
on the morrow.
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September 30–October 6 ❘ Parts of Speech
Poem and discussion centering on Jesus’s command that we be perfect, even as he and Heavenly Father are perfect, as recorded in 3 Nephi 12:48.
Parts of Speech
I
Jesus Christ,
whole though scarred,
finished but not done
would
hypothetical, wish or desire,
past tense of will
that
conjunction introducing,
connecting desire to object
ye
me, you, everyone listening,
children of God
should
auxiliary preceding main action,
advice, exhortation, command
be
central action or state,
exist, remain
perfect
complete if not finished,
whole though scarred,
like Jesus Christ
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September 23–29 ❘ Earthquake
Poem and discussion centering on Jesus Christ’s visit to the temple at Bountiful after his resurrection as recorded in 3 Nephi 11.
Earthquake
We children saw Him first.
Little ones often struggle to focus
on chores or lessons,
but we have the instinct,
the well-drilled habit
of looking up when called.
Our parents, burdened by heavy
questions of an unsettled year,
turned about in confusion
as though His calm, resonant voice
flooded from seams and cracks
as precursor to another convulsion.
Perhaps it was, but not
the kind that shakes earth—
rather one that fits pieces together
with satisfying rumble and snug click
according to a master mason’s plan
as he sets temple capstone.
Our young eyes quickly picked out
His vivid figure drawing near.
The grownups traced our gaze
heavenward, listening intently.
Then everything else
fell away.
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September 16–22 ❘ Pride Cycle
Poem and discussion centering on the Nephites’ consistent return to their proud and wicked ways as recorded in 3 Nephi 7:7–8.
Pride Cycle
Sometimes our world seems to whir
like a shiny coin spun on end,
like a perfectly balanced
silver globe—
a temporary illusion that quickly loses
energy through friction. Gravity
pulls us lopsided into wobbly
roll. We clatter lower,
rattle faster, spiral
full force into
sudden
stop.
Those few who listen to warnings
and recognize familiar rhythms
can’t forever turn the throng
or keep it upright.
Some will whirl free, scatter
from danger. Remnants
still gather to orbit
new eternal
rounds.
Of all their revolutions,
we cannot tell
a hundredth
part.
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
September 9–15 ❘ Slippery
Poem and discussion centering on the Lord’s curse on the Nephites that their riches would become “slippery” as recorded in Helaman 13:31–36.
Slippery
Signs are not for the ignorant,
nor prophetic warnings
for the untaught.
They are for those
who should know better,
those with learning enough
to twist words like green limbs
till they splinter.
My treasure is slipping away—
security, structure, predictable
rules for how life works,
touch, handshakes, hugs
and kisses, breathing close
together, family and friends
who one by one scatter
and pass away.
I read warnings in scripture
and am worried from my rut.
An ancient man shouts to me
from a high wall
that it is not too late.
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
September 2–8 ❘ Famine
Poem and discussion centering on Nephi’s request that the Lord replace the war in the land with a famine as recorded in Helaman 11:3–5.
Famine
In the year we commenced
to kill one another,
Nephi sealed up the sky,
not as punishment,
but as drastic mercy
to shock us sane,
interval to fast and empty
souls of appetite, to jettison
excess and gain fullness,
to see others no more as prey
or flocks or herds or gold or silver
or fine-twined linen,
but as precious family
to whom we give
our last meager morsels.
The heavens grieved for us
as we dwindled and dwindled
beneath her clear, blistering,
sorrowful eye.
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August 26–September 1 ❘ Gadianton’s Band
Poem and discussion centering on the account of the Gadianton robbers as recorded in Helaman 6:18.
Gadianton’s Band
Let’s talk about
the management of the creature:
You have responsibilities,
family needs to meet,
innocent appetites to fill,
but you sow and sow and sow
and never seem to reap.
The same people grow richer,
the same names pass down
from chief judge to chief judge.
They grow fat on secret works
and knowledge you can’t access.
It’s enough to stir up anger
in the most patient heart.
Perhaps you need
a different kind of friend—
a spider who’ll spin subtle,
sticky webs to catch those flies
that feed on your despair.
You wouldn’t have to dip
your own skirts in blood—
I’ll make that sacrifice for you.
All I need is support,
permission to work,
your vote of confidence.
After all,
not taking sides
has its own consequences,
and you might as well throw in
your lot with someone who gets things
done.
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
August 19–25 ❘ Alma the Younger
Poem and discussion centering on Alma the Younger’s desire to be like an angel and cry repentance to everyone as recorded in Alma 29:1–3.
Alma the Younger
I was no rebellious youth, but man
of unsparing education,
inheritor of holy privilege.
I willfully muddied the path
between life and destruction. Why
should I, so well knowing my aims,
be interrupted from hell
while ignorant friends yet burn?
Oh, that I could brand every heart
with the fire God snatched me from,
could blast the warning
that rings in memory and ignite
worldwide regret like wildfire,
could visit each divine child
with the same uninvited lightning
that struck me flat
but
I remain myself—a sinful man
who must submit,
acting as angel without
bellows or flames,
balancing eternal gratitude
and guilt for undeserved,
unsought mercy.
Story about “Oh, that I Were an Angel”
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August 12–18 ❘ Captain Moroni
Poem and discussion centering on the personal character of Captain Moroni as recorded in Alma 48:11–17.
Captain Moroni
Every good stratagem depends
on accurate intelligence.
Understand your enemy—
brazen idol gilded in grievance,
bold avenger of ancient wrongs,
blatant fraud from the beginning,
father of bluster and accusation,
wager of eternal extinction.
Understand your friend—
transgressor once racked and harrowed,
now cleansed and clear-sighted,
humble servant who divests power
to labor in vineyard and rescue
diseased trees.
Understand yourself—
tempered intellect stirred
by burning indignation,
determined doer of the necessary,
firm resister of iniquity,
heartsore seeker for peace.
Understand the mission—
not simply to win battle or war,
but to grip hell’s crumbling corners,
shake its foundation to pieces,
and blow the fragments
from human hearts forever.
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August 5–11 ❘ For Corianton
Poem and discussion centering on part of a letter that Alma wrote to his son Corianton as recorded in Alma 41:10.
For Corianton
To be a seagull—
to waddle over wet shore
and scavenge and cry and soar and bob
as tide erases all transient,
three-toed footprints—
is not for you. You can’t be happy
living by whim of appetite or plunder
nor can you embody sand
that hourly shivers and drifts
beneath water and wind.
You were chosen as sharp-eyed
beachcomber—to pick through litter
and uncover hidden treasures—
to discern translucent edge of sea agate
from brittle, bleached shell or bird feather—
to witness sun melt into ocean at night
and rise again glorious in the morning.
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
July 29–August 4 ❘ Remember
Poem and discussion centering on Alma’s instructions to his son Helaman about preserving their sacred records as recorded in Alma 37:13–14.
Remember
Reach back,
stitch mind to mind
with those who lived before.
Enlarge your memory piece
by piece until you’ve scrapped
together whole cloth
of God’s interaction with man.
Note the patterns,
how those who keep covenants
are quilted thick and strong
while those who rebel
are trimmed away like frayed
edges from torn fabric.
Now,
take up your small,
simple needle
and set your hand
to mending.
Small and Simple sheet music
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Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
July 22–28 ❘ Poor in Heart
Poem and discussion centering on Alma’s comparison of the word of God to a seed as recorded in Alma 32:28.
Poor in Heart
I used to be certain,
satisfied I had all truth
stored up tight.
Over time, I’ve wrung life
dry, licked it clean.
My heart is emptier
than a beggar’s cup.
Despised, deemed dross
by the lowest ranks
of respectable rebels
and heretics,
I now hunger so deeply
that I’ll plant any good seed once
to see what grows.
Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry
See Rachel Mohlman’s music at www.faithsongmusic.com
Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
July 15–21 ❘ Korihor
Poem and discussion centering on Korihor’s story as recorded in Alma 30.
Korihor
What I don’t know,
no one knows.
If I can’t see the future,
no one can.
If anyone exists but me,
they are bit players blocked
into the background of a story
I write, direct, strut, and star in.
And if I’m temporarily dumbstruck,
I have genius enough
to stage a comeback.
I can still connive, conspire,
beg my way to one more encore
before the final curtain cuts
my speeches into oblivion.
My words will yet be
engraved in history.
Just wait and see.
Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry
Read “Was Korihor a Sociopath?” by James Goldberg
Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
July 8–14 ❘ Burial
Poem and discussion centering on the Lamanites who were converted to Jesus Christ and as a result gave up their weapons of war as recorded in Alma 23:7.
Burial
I am shedding my weapons
of rebellion piece by piece,
casting them deep into the pit—
sharp words that cut
and sting for weeks,
scar thick over years
of mindless repetition,
hard looks that slap
and bruise tender feelings
without reprieve or balm
of single cooling syllable,
poison thoughts that sicken
with rot, smear goodness,
and choke truth under
piles of grudge.
I’ve been at war too long,
merciless and hurting.
I bow down before you,
waiting for your blade to drop.
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July 1–7 ❘ Lamoni
Poem and discussion centering on King Lamoni’s imagined inner dialogue when he was afraid to speak to Ammon as recorded in Alma 18:14–15.
Lamoni
Grandmother taught me eloquence:
how to speak even in silence
when fear constricts heart and throat.
Grandfather taught me cunning:
how to trim and stitch opportunity
from unexpected circumstance.
Father taught me balance:
how to keep my feet when friends shift
beneath like gravel on mountain path.
Mother taught me love:
how it feels to be forgiven
for callow wrongs.
Ammon taught me how nurtured hurt
distorts truth like a dark mist,
blinding me to another Father
who teaches mercy—
how to honor good traditions
and let the rest melt away like frost
at touch of dawn’s outspread fingers.
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June 24–30 ❘ Amulek
Poem and discussion centering on Alma welcoming Amulek into his own house as recorded in Alma 15:18.
Amulek
When sun sloped over threshold
on slow, sultry afternoons,
I would watch my children play
in the yard—tumbling daughter
and round son, like the curly glyphs
that spilled from brush to page
at my writing table. My wife
Eztli would scoop them up,
each to an arm, laughter splashing
as she trundled them to hammocks
for songs and naps.
I will never see them again
in this life—yet I subsist
on God’s promise,
angel’s word,
and Alma’s welcome,
whom I now hear whimper
from down the hall
as he sometimes does
while he sleeps.
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June 17–23 ❘ Laden
Poem and discussion centering on Alma’s words to Zeezrom that this life is the time to prepare to meet God as recorded in Alma 12:24, 27.
Laden
I am not condemned by feelings—
moods that ebb or flow
like tides to lunar pull
of illness, hunger, hormones—
but by thoughts: little boats
that harbor in my mind
as I pace decks and count
and recount every sail and plank;
by words: hiss of fuse
and cannon crash, clang
of anchor and canvas slap
as I loose myself to battle;
by action: or more often inaction
to some lonely, desperate SOS
from foundering vessel warped
and torn by violent crosscurrents.
I am condemned by what I stow
deep within. Judgment
will be too late to offload
rotting freight at His feet.
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June 10–16 ❘ Dilemma
Poem and discussion centering on Alma’s great sermon to the people of the church asking them if they have been born of God as recorded in Alma 5:14–16, 48.
Dilemma
Have you asked yourself
how to navigate to freedom
when no corkscrew paths twist
away from consequence?
Everything swirls and funnels
from first great cause
to last effect,
nadir where you choose—
where Christ hangs
on time’s chiasmus,
freeing every generation
since the war in heaven.
You are caught between
corner stone and stumbling block.
Will you break or be broken?
Ask yourself.
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June 3–9 ❘ Costly
Poem and discussion centering on some of the reasons the people of the church in Zarahemla began to grow proud as recorded in Alma 4:6–8.
Costly
Come, feel this linen.
Finger its tightly twined fabric, hold it up
to light and see it flow like finest silk—
expensive, yes, but worth the price
for one who takes pride in appearance
as a person of your means would,
a person who’s earned wealth by industry.
Robes from this will make your envious friends
grieve.
New clothes don’t suit?
Then please have a seat, take meat with us,
fresh from our plentiful flocks and farms,
prime stock held in reserve for discerning
appetites too sated to eat for need.
Let us tempt your greater emptiness
with fare full-flavored and fragrant.
No? I see
you are a person of discretion and taste.
But we have many worthy entertainments
for your perusal. Set your heart on any
clever book, gilded toy, or silver-plated vanity.
It’s yours for a trifle—precious little affliction
to gain all your will and pleasure.
Unless you’re another one
of those scornful believers
who judge and persecute us
for our harmless comforts
or who beg undeserved share
in what we can ill afford to give.
Come, let me show you
the way out.
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