Cantankerous Carl's Pain

I already told you where it HURTS---I have a big pain right under my left hand!

THOUGHTS

                           THOUGHTS                          

As I lay on the bed, I thought I might rot.

They say I am sick, but sick I am not.

From this bed I can’t move. Not from this spot.

For down in my leg is a great big blood clot.

I write on some paper and read in my books,

Mostly of Pioneers and the chances they took.

I think what would I do in the days of old

If I was a pioneer, would I be bold?

They suffered pain and distress of body and spirit.

They did not want death, but never did fear it.

For what they believed—They were beaten and whipped.

Now where is your God, their tormentors they quipped?

My ancestors were there with the pioneers.

There was Caleb and Wheeler and Hyrum I hear.

Caleb with the Prophet at Liberty did stay.

Liberty was a dungeon, not a jail as today.

For four months they lingered in the filth and the cold.

Could I take the stress, would I be so bold?

While Caleb was with the Prophet, the Prophet did see

Many visions that are found in the D & C.

They traveled the plains by wagon and cart.

From Kirtland and Nauvoo they were made to depart.

They left Winter Quarter’s on their own that’s true,

To leave all you own would be a hard thing to do.

Some days in the mud clear up to their waist

They pushed wagons, and oxen because of their haste

To get to the land of their promise, you see.

And practice their religion like men who are free.

Their trials were horrid, their suffering was long.

What would I have done? Would I have been strong?

They took cursing from tormentors, as like asses they bray

And they buried wives and children all along the way.

I lay on my bed and I read and I ponder.

What would I have done, if I was called to wander

Across the Iowa plains, and in the Wyoming cold?

Would I have quit and give up, or would I be bold?

The Pioneers stayed faithful, as the plains they trod.

For they knew, on their side was the Living God.

They crossed the great rivers, the Miss. and the Missouri.

Their troubles and grief are a well known story.

They arrived in the valley by the Great Salt Lake.

The legacy they left, sometimes for granted we take.

If we had been there, would we, like them, trudge along,

Would were slither and hide, or would we be strong?

As I lay on this bed with my dreams and my thoughts,

As I’m stuck to this spot with my little old clot,

Is my testimony strong, and would I be bold,

Would I take all they took, for what’s on the plates of Gold?

THOUGHTS

Written by W.R. Baldwin

While recovering from a blood clot 23 Mar 1993

I just recently went through a bout of Acute Diverticulitis and as I was feeling sorry for myself and looking through some old papers I found this one I wrote several years ago. Actually
l I was not near as sick this time, so I guess I was fortunate?
Wally    1 Aug 2016

THOUGHTS IN SACRAMENT MEETING

Thoughts I had in Sacrament Meeting

      26 Oct 1997   W.R. Baldwin 

Why am I here on this beautiful earth?

Was I valiant when in the Heavens above?

Did I do the things I had been taught by Father?

Did I learn love for others from my Heavenly Mother?

When I arrived here as a babe, innocent and bright,

Would the family I came to teach me things that are right?

Would I grow as a child to be loved, and to love?

As I had done while in the heavens above?

Would the friends I would choose have standards like me?

Would I always be found where I knew I should be?

Could I influence my friends with my gospel of love

So we could return together to the heavens above?

When I grew up and I started to dance and to date

Would I do it with someone I would like as a mate?

Would I be married in the Temple of the Lord above?

So as a family we could return to our Kingdom above?

As parents would we teach of the gospel plan

That the Lord above has sent down to man?

Would our children listen and act as we taught,

Or would all of our teaching end up for naught?

The Temple would call us, would we answer, Oh yes?

I will be there with my family as onward we press

To the Celestial Kingdom, the home of the Lord,

Where we can return to him, if we live his word.

As if little children, OUR hearts must be turned

Toward the Heaven, and the things we have learned.

Please Heavenly Father let us the pearly gates gain

Let our teachings on earth not all be in vain.