There is a book of scripture that talks to each of us
With profound prophecies that speak about our worthiness
Lehi's dream was to guide us along the straight and narrow path
Young Nephi followed the whisperings of the Spirit while in his youth

Jacob said that if we prune, dung, and care for the tree
We can make it back safely to Thee
Though we may be a branch grafted onto that old trunk
Good fruit from us will the Master pluck

Enos, though he went out one day a-hunting
Received a remission of his sins by earnestly praying
After reading these pages, the Lamanite descendants would gain a knowledge of Christ
Looking forward with renewed hope, by the Holy Ghost, they'd be so enticed

Long live King Benjamin
My goodness, what a man
His son, Mosiah, was a prophet and seer
Who had four sons that caused an angel to appear

These four men taught the Lamanites with such great power
Insomuch so, that the Holy Spirit their physical bodies did overpower
Two thousand sixty sons did take up their swords
To defend their people from the wicked Lamanite hordes

Alma the Senior at first was a wicked high priest
Though upon hearing Abinadi speak, his wicked ways immediately ceased
Baptizing his people in the waters of Mormon
He started many people on the path towards salvation

Alma the Younger, was also a wicked and idolatrous person
For which, he suffered for three days and nights till his sins were forgiven
Thereafter, his greatest desire was to have the voice of an angel
Amulek and Zeezrom, were amongst those who heeded Alma's call

Nephi and Lehi, though prisoners, stood within a circle of fire
They wanted all to know about God, this was their desire
The soldiers listened and became believers
They soon became God's spiritual ambassadors

Nephi kneeled upon his garden tower
While beneath him wicked Nephites did gather
He foresaw the workings of the secret band of Kishkumen
That they would bring about the end of this great nation

Samuel the Lamanite, upon the walls of Zarahemla did preach
That Christ would come down to earth and, us, He would teach
Thirty four years after His birth, He did appear
To these, His other sheep, His voice did they hear

To become witnesses, His wounds did they feel
Throughout the land,  all people, these witnesses did tell
Salvation could be had if at Christ's feet they would kneel
Then their wounds would He carefully heal

Almost three hundred years would pass away in peace
Till Mormon saw that the people's faith did decrease
A commandment to make a compilation of sacred records
And write about this nation's wickedness as it spiraled downwards

A final farewell to his people did Mormon give
Hoping that his son, Moroni, this war would outlive
Before everyone was killed there upon Cumora's green hill
All prophecies up till then were entirely fulfilled

Moroni, a final challenge to all
Unto us has he issued this call
If we will but read and pray with real intent
Our lives will this book compliment

The Book of Mormon has special meaning to me
But, its teachings are meant for all, you see
Of prophets, seers, and revelators who lived here so long ago
The truth, by way of the Holy Ghost, upon us will he bestow

So it's quite simple for you and me
If we but follow Moroni's steps to see
If this book testifies that Christ died upon that lonely tree
Then true followers of Christ will each of us be

Written by:
Jason Cheney
September 12, 2022

Captain America
Every time I swoon when I see that shield
And not just because the actor is hot
Because his heroics stop my heart
I’ve taken the quizzes
Taken every test
Researched the blogs, the books, the films
Determined he is my guardian angel
My soul
My mind
Follow his footsteps
Little man taking the hits
Rolling with the punches
Making those around me feel lit
Mingling with demons and metal men for lunches
I want to be everything that represents him
But he does not represent his name
Not america, roger
But what america is meant to represent, roger
He is not the original 13 colonies, roger
Or north america, roger
Zarahemla, roger
Nephi lehi, roger
But he is Steve, roger
Holding the torch passed by a martyr, roger
Wearing stripes and stars like a crown, roger
Surrounding all those who draw breath with an ancient shield, roger
He is almost a modern Christ in a mortal mind, roger
He is what I wish to be
But sadly I’m not an allegory
I’m not God
But I want to be

Sixty-four years before the coming of the Lord
When a war between two nations was declared
The Anti Nephi Lehites were readying to take up their arms
When Ammon asked that they would just send more food, from their farms

But two thousand sixty young men of yesteryear
Whose parents, a covenant of peace, had swore
Began the long march to fight a war
Down near the western seashore

They vowed to follow the prophet, Helaman
What a sight it must of been to see this caravan
Though they were so very young
Perhaps only sixteen when this war had begun

They were obedient to every command
For their Mothers had taught them to understand
That if they were diligent, God would never forsake nor leave them alone
With cheerful hearts, we read that each one was able to go back home

They knew that their parents and families depended upon them
Fighting for God, liberty, religion, and families was their mighty emblem
Therefore, they fought with the might of dragons
And thus, God did protect them, each and every single one

Though bloodied and hurt
They never did cease to fight
Often standing alone against the foe
Their courage and valor, to everyone did they show

Defeating mighty men and soldiers
They stood their ground as warriors
Often fighting foes on every side
And even if they had wanted, there was no place to hide

Often suffering from lack of food
When it was time to fight, upon their feet they stood
Fighting in God's battalion are they now found
The cries of these two thousand sixty young men, will forever resound

Written by:
Jason Cheney
October 2022

The loneliness of the night
To some it is quite a fright
For this purpose God created "light"

In the wee hours of the morning
My mind begins churning
I often find that it's time to begin writing

I can't go back to sleep
I've tried counting thousands of sheep
Therefore, I turn to God, while others are asleep

My thoughts are often just my own
About the gospel seeds that I have sown
And how quickly my kids have grown

Or, how I wish to become like Nephi of old
Who did everything that he was told
He saw Christ, angels, and other things foretold

I think of God's expectation of who I could become
I am free to act, due to Christ's ransome
His ways have never been cumbersome

Talents that have been given to me
These have been a benefit to many you see
But my body aches, the hour is half past three

While upon my bed I do lay
I read, ponder, and pray
What more can I say

The night has passed
A new dawn has come at last
I feel somewhat downcast

As I wonder how to withstand another day
My body and mind must not sway
From my duties to perform, today

While others got a full night's rest
For me, today will be my biggest test
As my body doth protest

Why on Earth couldn't I sleep
Into thy hands, Lord, my soul please keep
As I travel, work, ponder, pray, and seek

Let this next night be more restful and kind
Into thy hands I place my tired, weary, old soul and mind
Please Lord, help me to fully unwind

As each hour swiftly flies
I gladly close my beautiful blue eyes
In hope that my body, this night, will reenergize

I know that through the silence of the night
I have come closer to my Heavenly Father's light
By reading about him, because I've accepted his invite

To become more like Him
Therefore, I sing my favorite hymn
"Oh My Father", this phrase fills my heart to the very brim

No matter what, to Him I'll sing
His matchless love gives me wing
He comforts me, when my heart is aching

What comfort, joy, and beauty is found in this phrase
I stand in all amaze
While looking upon Thy face

"My God How Great Thou Art"
Thou hast known me since the very start
In Thy embrace, my troubles and worries do depart

I deposit my life into Thy loving hand
My faith in Thee will help me withstand
The trials of this life which are just part of Thy eternal plan

Written by:
Jason Cheney
November 6, 2021