Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

February 17–23 ❘ A View of the Plates

Poem and discussion centering on a promise given to Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer that they could view the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 17:1.

A View of the Plates

What wouldn’t I give
to see a solid gold miracle—
something substantial
to mold the unshaped clay
of unsettled testimony.

What couldn’t I do
for a peek at sacred mementos
that moved populations and parted seas—
especially if God left an invitation
right there in plain scripture.

What shouldn’t I know
that I'm kept from temptation’s reach—
no chance for Satan to bait a trap
with temporal knowledge or steel
my malleable soul with pride.

Whatever the reason
I lack this first-hand access—
I hold my paper copy close,
looking for messages and marvels
behind each translated line.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

February 10–16 ❘ Brother of the Prophet

Poem and discussion centering on a revelation from the Lord delivered to Hyrum Smith through his brother Joseph as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 11:23–30.

Brother of the Prophet

My youngest says he doesn’t know
if he could believe a brother
who claimed to have seen visions—
and knowing my children, I understand,

not because they aren’t good
and honest boys, but because a mother
has a hard time hearkening to someone
whose knees she’s patched

and sheets she’s laundered. A prophet
has no honor in his own living room.
Think of Jesus’s family, standing outside
the crowd, convinced he’d lost his mind,

wondering what to do with him.
So different from Hyrum—ready
to harvest immediately with bare hands
if only Joseph would direct where to reap.

When I read the verse where the same
who was rejected by His own
introduces Himself to Hyrum,
I sense a sidelong glance at Joseph

as the Lord wills him to treasure this rare gift
from one who knows by experience
what a suffering servant
really needs.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

February 3–9 ❘ Spirit of Revelation

Poem and discussion centering on how the Spirit of Revelation works as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3.

Spirit of Revelation

Dreaming, I churn
down blind alleys, dead ends,
roundabouts without exit
or place of rest.

Waking, I hesitate
at the edge of a vast reed sea,
another muddy place
where I could spin and sink.

Thinking, I study
where to place each footfall,
looking deeply into undergrowth
to tell solid earth from fen.

Feeling, I discern
between mists that warn of mire
and flickers that draw me on
toward hidden steppingstones.

Moving, I will
reach the other side—eventually.
This is how revelation parts the deep
and dry ground rises to catch me

as I cross the waters
one step at a time.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

January 27–February 2 ❘ 116 Pages

Poem and discussion centering on Martin Harris’s loss of the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon translation as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 3.

116 Pages

I know how you felt, Martin,
niggled in turn by hope and fear,
longing to be part of something great
and ready to suffer or sacrifice—
yet still bartering for some guarantee.

I’ve also craved approval, respect,
a little kindness from the world.
I’ve offered mankind my evidence,
half-turned and ready to run
at first sign of smirk,

and I have failed to do
what I knew was right
because I wouldn’t relinquish
what I wanted even though
it was never mine to begin with.

So I don’t wonder at your faults
now held up as warning
to future generations of Saints,
but at your persistence:

how you returned and returned
hat in hand, abashed witness
to God’s infinite mercy.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

January 20–26 ❘ Planted Promises

Poem and discussion centering on Elijah’s prophesied return of the priesthood to earth as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 2.

Planted Promises

In the spirit world,
maybe you work in a small office
checking numbers and writing reports
because you’d do anything
for the Lord without complaint,

or maybe you visit prison each day
to listen and offer a few words
of compassion to the as yet desolate
because you’re a born missionary
who loves by habit,

or maybe you enjoy singing
for the first time in your life
and have joined an angel choir
because in paradise, a desire
to praise God qualifies all comers,

or maybe sometimes you venture
to check in on me—with permission—
and peek through the veil
because when my heart turns, you feel
the tug of uncut tethers between us.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

January 13–19 ❘ Morning Breaks

Poem and discussion centering on the First Vision as recorded in Joseph Smith History 1.

Morning Breaks

The boy dreams
of two preachers crying
from high pulpits: Choose!
Pick a side or be damned.

He wrestles,
tries to pray but lips freeze,
heart twists, spirit wrings
out: Deliver me!

Then light, focused
into solid beam
sure as iron rod or nail
hammered home,

pierces the tumult:
Hear Him.

The boy awakes
on his back, staring
into heaven past the first
light of dawn.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

January 6–12 ❘ Preface

Poem and discussion centering on God’s preface to his book of commandments as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 1:6.

Preface

In winter, it’s easy to feel cut off.
Dark falls early, sinks in like ice.
Wind licks at neck, whips tears
to eyes, leaves ears aching.

Heart pulls into a tight knot
like a child curling up to hide.
Everywhere the world cries out,
offering sure-fire formulas for warmth

or crystalline reasons
for the inevitability of heat death.
Another Voice trickles beneath,
picking up speed

like a thawing creek
in early spring,
like an unlearned boy
on his knees in a grove

praying aloud for the first time
at that point of year when light
begins to return in earnest.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

December 30–January 5 ❘ Holding Peace

Poem and discussion centering on counsel the Lord gave to Joseph Smith after the theft of the 116 pages as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 10:37.

Holding Peace

I’m trying not to say the wrong thing
to my oldest son in his twenty-fifth year—
the same flaw-riddled age as Joseph
when he translated the plates.

He too is a man of limited education
and less means. He bristles
and fidgets when I counsel,
glows from within when I praise,

shivers in the night
at visions of the future,
and wakes with the surety
that he’s forgotten something important.

Little wonder such a one might deliver
his trust to the undeserving—
such a one who cannot always tell
the wicked from the righteous.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

December 23–29 ❘ Christmas in Zarahemla

Poem and discussion centering on the signs of Jesus’s birth to the residents of Zarahemla as recorded in 3 Nephi 1:4–21.

Christmas in Zarahemla

In Zarahemla, all is still
and silent at the setting sun.
The pure in heart are praying for
the sign that Samuel said would come
         to Zarahemla on the night
         that Jesus Christ is born.

In Zarahemla, Nephi bows,
pours out his heart in prayers and tears.
The Lord in mercy reassures:
Lift up your head; be of good cheer
         for, Zarahemla, on this night
         I, Jesus Christ, am born.

In Zarahemla, awe descends
as day continues on through night.
All fall to earth because they know
at last has come the One, True Light.
         The Zarahemla sky is bright,
         for Jesus Christ is born.

In Zarahemla, all is still
and silent at the rising sun.
The pure in heart are full of thanks
and joy because the Savior’s come.
         Oh Zarahemla, bless this night
         that Jesus Christ is born!

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

December 16–22 ❘ Final Exhortation

Poem and discussion centering on Moroni’s final testimony as recorded in Moroni 10:27–28.

Final Exhortation

Moroni is speaking to me.
He asks if I will harden
during hard times,
exchange railing for railing,
adopt enemy tactics,

and tear myself from God
in whirlwinds of outrage.
Will I wield truth to skewer
my neighbor or to cut out
the calloused parts
of my own heart?

He entreats me to recollect
the things I’ve read and felt—
facets of truth uncovered
like raw gems emerging
after long erosion,
serenity dropped like manna
to my wasted soul.
I remember and deny it not.

Moroni stands at the bar,
pins me with searching eyes,
leans in to urgently hiss
one last word with one last breath.

He is speaking to me.
I am listening.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

December 9–15 ❘ Every Good Thing

Poem and discussion centering on Mormon’s words about how to recognize and lay hold upon every good thing as recorded in Moroni 7:19.

Every Good Thing

Frost glitters under winter sun,
freshens cold pavement
with brilliant pinpricks.

Copper-barked chokecherry
bristles with new buds,
catches morning light and flickers
at topmost branches.

Yellow thistles glow like candles
by the pond, grasses glimmer silver
to their feathered fingertips.

Wild rose bush bends
under burden of ripe hips
heavy and red as great drops of blood.

Brassy sun blares a silent
hallelujah from the blue.
Horses in the field prick ears to hear,
flick tails in time, nicker to the tune.
My feet softly mark off measure

by measure as I hum along,
         Hallelujah!

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

December 2–8 ❘ Sacrament

Poem and discussion centering on the sacrament prayers as recorded in Moroni 4–5.

Sacrament

Believers in generations past
also gathered to partake
of broken and blessed emblems
on their remnant isles of faith
dotting oceans of time.

Today I reminisce with them,
savoring heirloom prayers
laid up for just such purpose
as turning hearts together,
connecting us in archipelago

across millennia as we touch
bread to tongue and sip from cup,
draw simultaneous breath to witness
as one family under one name—
flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.

Soon I will lift my head
to continue my journey alone.
For this bridged moment,
I sit and listen to them whisper
of better days to come.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

November 25–December 1 ❘ Miracles

Poem and discussion centering on Moroni’s explanation that miracles cease when the people have no faith as recorded in Ether 12:12.

Miracles

I’ve surveyed spun floss mountains
of cloud beneath my feet
while hurtling over earth suspended
in a metal cylinder with wings.

I’ve made new friends,
met face to face with far
distant kindred via screens
transmitting electronic visions.

I've heard ancestors whisper
their wisdom across centuries
in laden words written
on plain pages.

This must be an age of faith
for all the miracles I count
sprouting up from God’s
seed sown in this world.

Even those yet unaware
are instruments in His hand—
plows leaving deep, rich furrows
for the planting.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

November 18–24 ❘ Beautiful Throne

Poem and discussion centering on Riplakish’s beautiful throne as described in Ether 10:6.

Beautiful Throne

It wasn’t built for comfort,
but for show. You see,
if you want to avoid captivity,
you must project power solid
and implacable as stone.

You must establish yourself
as spacious conduit to God,
as one sent to sit erect on carved altar
and reach into heaven to pull out rain.
There is a price for that,

so you must make people work
for their own good,
shackle them to you by labor—
they will feel bound
to protect their investment.

And remember: never hesitate.
You only keep what you take
with boldness—at least for as long
as everyone is stunned enough
to let you get away with it.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

November 11–17 ❘ Crossing the Waters

Poem and discussion centering on the journey of the Jaredites across the great waters to their new promised land as recorded in Ether 3:4.

Crossing the Waters

In me,
you see a wall—
a basalt cliff unscathed
by churning surf that tosses,
hurls you toward hull breach
against unyielding stone.

But you and I
are one vessel sealed tight,
driven by God's furious wind—

When mountain waves roll you,
I plunge.
When currents wrench your heart,
my timbers groan.
I shudder at each tearing swell
because I know your splintering
sinks us both.

Please,
keep close
through these dark waters.
Believe with me
in a Lord who listens,
who reaches forth to touch
what we hold deep inside
to make it shine.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

November 4–10 ❘ After the Battle

Poem and discussion centering on Moroni’s experiences after the Nephites’ final destruction as recorded in Mormon 8:1–3, 35.

After the Battle

It was a mercy my father died quickly,
released from pain of old wounds
never healed. I hid and watched
the Lamanites celebrate all night.
Without an outward enemy,
they would soon turn on each other.
I found no peace in the land,
so I bore my burden northward
for miles and miles alone.

Let me begin again. Please don’t
condemn my strange, imperfect words.
It’s been so long since I spoke
to anyone who wasn’t a ghost.
But I have seen what you will do—
acting history from a worn-out script,
ignoring my whispered prompts
from the wings. I cry louder and louder

till I wake. Life passes away
like a dream as I mourn out my days.
Tomorrow I will rest from travel awhile
and write to you a little more.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

October 28–November 3 ❘ O Ye Fair Ones

Poem and discussion centering on Mormon’s lament over the destruction of his people as recorded in Mormon 6:17–19.

O Ye Fair Ones

you beautiful children

who delight in bright colors
brilliance and beauty

crackle and dance
like furious flames

spend every talent
bend all natural genius

to eat drink and be merry
without concern for consequence

snarl each other tightly in combinations
and clever unpickable knots

knuckle knee and knife your way
to top of kingmen’s heap—

if my sorrow could bear you up
I would mourn with those who mourn

but you careen toward misery
too proud to relax your grip on sin

no matter how it burns

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

October 21–27 ❘ Good Book

Poem and discussion centering on Jesus’s teaching that people will be judged out of the books written both in heaven and on earth as recorded in 3 Nephi 27:25–26.

Good Book

You have a story in you.
Even if you never touch
pen to paper, you leave

tracks through deep drifts
to deliver needed meals,
prints on lifted hearts
and bowed heads, wrinkled spots
where tears soaked in, or spills
you tried to scribble out
but couldn’t. You need

an editor, abridger to trim
distraction and excess,
a translator to untangle mess,
a close reader to ride every wave
of your account from crest to trough,
to sink with you in grief
and swell at restoration—

someone who knows failure
can foreshadow redemption.
Someone full of hope
for how your adventure ends.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

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.

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Merrijane Rice Merrijane Rice

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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