As the entire church prepares for the next General Conference, we have all been asked to ponder the First Vision and what it means to each of us individually. I found this poem, written by Ruth May Fox (3rd Young Women’s General President), which states very clearly her feelings about the First Vision.
Hail to the Prophet
Ruth May Fox
A century did you say since the prophet was born?
Oh! Hallowed the day and sacred the morn
When beloved though lowly an infant he lay
On the breast of his mother;
Like many another
She knew not the path where his footsteps might stray,
She saw not the future but she taught him to pray
To the Father, believing,
And He marked the way.
A century did you ask? Aye the brightest of all
Since Christ was betrayed, and earth ‘neath a pall
Affrighted and groaning was shivered and rent;
When apostles were martyred,
And Christians were slaughtered,
Fair Truth fled away for the glory was spent,
And dark mystery forth as a conqueror went
Until all men—her vassals—
Bowed low in her tent.
What achievements hath the century wrought did you say?
Witness the marvels of this wondrous day;
And have you not heard how the blue vault was cleft,
God’s holy authority,
His glorious majesty,
Made known in the earth? To the right and the left
Superstitions were scattered, and mystery ‘reft
Of her scepter—confusion—
By the word of His breath.
“Revealed through a boy?” hear the chimes silver bell,
“Hearken ye mortals to a cent’ry’s knell;
Lo! Joseph the seer, the chosen of God,
Unto every nation,
In this last dispensation,
Restored the true light, by the pow’r of His Rod
Bade gross ignorance vanish, and bravely he trod
The path of the martyr,
His blood stains the sod.”
Ring louder! Ye chimes let your joyous tones swell,
Victor’ously ring, ring out, all is well,
He lives, yet he lives, and these tidings we bring,
He will soon come in favor
With the saints and the Saviour.
Illumine the temple, hosannas we’ll sing,
To the breeze ev’ry people your glad banners fling,
For a prophet was born
To herald the King.
Poetry can be a nice way to express your own testimony of the First Vision and what it means to you. I challenge you to put your thoughts and testimony into poetic words.