{"id":11114,"date":"2020-01-16T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/?p=11114"},"modified":"2020-01-15T13:28:13","modified_gmt":"2020-01-15T19:28:13","slug":"first-vision-hail-to-the-prophet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/16\/first-vision-hail-to-the-prophet\/","title":{"rendered":"First Vision–Hail to the Prophet"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/sup> Young Women\u2019s General President), which states very clearly her feelings about the First Vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hail to the Prophet<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ruth May Fox<\/span><\/p>\n

A century did you say since the prophet was born?<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh! Hallowed the day and sacred the morn<\/span><\/p>\n

When beloved though lowly an infant he lay<\/span><\/p>\n

On the breast of his mother;<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many another<\/span><\/p>\n

She knew not the path where his footsteps might stray,<\/span><\/p>\n

She saw not the future but she taught him to pray<\/span><\/p>\n

To the Father, believing,<\/span><\/p>\n

And He marked the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A century did you ask? Aye the brightest of all<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Christ was betrayed, and earth \u2018neath a pall<\/span><\/p>\n

Affrighted and groaning was shivered and rent;<\/span><\/p>\n

When apostles were martyred,<\/span><\/p>\n

And Christians were slaughtered,<\/span><\/p>\n

Fair Truth fled away for the glory was spent,<\/span><\/p>\n

And dark mystery forth as a conqueror went<\/span><\/p>\n

Until all men\u2014her vassals\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

Bowed low in her tent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What achievements hath the century wrought did you say?<\/span><\/p>\n

Witness the marvels of this wondrous day;<\/span><\/p>\n

And have you not heard how the blue vault was cleft,<\/span><\/p>\n

God\u2019s holy authority,<\/span><\/p>\n

His glorious majesty,<\/span><\/p>\n

Made known in the earth? To the right and the left<\/span><\/p>\n

Superstitions were scattered, and mystery \u2018reft<\/span><\/p>\n

Of her scepter\u2014confusion\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

By the word of His breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRevealed through a boy?\u201d hear the chimes silver bell,<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHearken ye mortals to a cent\u2019ry\u2019s knell;<\/span><\/p>\n

Lo! Joseph the seer, the chosen of God,<\/span><\/p>\n

Unto every nation,<\/span><\/p>\n

In this last dispensation,<\/span><\/p>\n

Restored the true light, by the pow\u2019r of His Rod<\/span><\/p>\n

Bade gross ignorance vanish, and bravely he trod<\/span><\/p>\n

The path of the martyr,<\/span><\/p>\n

His blood stains the sod.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ring louder! Ye chimes let your joyous tones swell,<\/span><\/p>\n

Victor\u2019ously ring, ring out, all is well,<\/span><\/p>\n

He lives, yet he lives, and these tidings we bring,<\/span><\/p>\n

He will soon come in favor<\/span><\/p>\n

With the saints and the Saviour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Illumine the temple, hosannas we\u2019ll sing,<\/span><\/p>\n

To the breeze ev\u2019ry people your glad banners fling,<\/span><\/p>\n

For a prophet was born<\/span><\/p>\n

To herald the King.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n