Poem - A Different Point of View

Our sons participated in the scouting program while growing up.  They endured cold, fatigue and food prepared by other scouts.  One hike was particularly grueling. (Bill also went on this hike.) The trail was overgrown and they found themselves backtracking from impassable cliffs and ended up bushwhacking through miles of scrub oak brush.  It tested them individually and bonded them as a group.  They often look back on this experience and the lessons they learned together.

A Different Point of View

United in purpose, their goal barely in sight

   Test of will, endurance, the scouts stayed out another night

Lifting, encouraging, sharing the load

   A prayer in each heart, a brief call to home

Struggling, straining, grabbing a hand

   Both young and old, all brothers, all men

Beyond the trial of mountain, now, testing the soul

   Realizing someone far greater was in control

With faith, hope and courage, maintaining the pace

   Finally, arriving homeward to loved ones embrace

The purpose magnified, lessons not soon forgotten

   Knowing leaders both seen, and unseen, had taught them

The journey once began as small to a few

   Now, seen through all eyes with a different point of view

Trust in the creator, brotherly love understood

   And the protective practice of His priesthood

By Janice Harten
Copyright © 2013 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Sacred Clothing - Garments

Throughout history, up to the present, certain symbols have been viewed as sacred by those of all religions and faiths.  For instance, those of the Jewish faith might wear a Tallit, which is a sacred apron or shawl.  This is also used at weddings as a sacred symbol of their faith and the promises they are making with God.  In the Catholic religion, a woman covers her head with a simple handkerchief before entering the chapel to worship.  Others wear a crucifix to remind them of their faith in Jesus Christ.  In the Muslim religion, women cover themselves to protect modesty etc.

Besides sacred clothing, other groups don clothing that unites and distinguishes them from others.  For instance, different branches of the military wear colors and insignia, that define their roles, skills and accomplishments.  They wear protective gear in battle and their uniform helps them identify one another.  Clothing can be both a protection and an identifying and unifying object.

I wear a white garment.  What is different about my garment is that I wear it underneath my clothing so that it remains private rather than public.  The fact that it is private is also symbolic.  Rather than it being an object for the world to see, it is an object that reminds me of my personal relationship to God.  It reminds me of the promises I have made with the Lord and the blessings he has in store for me.  I feel that it protects me as literally as a soldier's armor might, against temptation and danger.  It is white, which is symbolic of something clean and pure, which I strive to be.  It is a way in which I demonstrate to the Lord that I want and am willing to keep his commandments.

The garment is comfortable and simple.  It is sacred and meaningful.  I accept the beauty and significance others place on their religious symbols.  I appreciate those who respect this private demonstration of my faith.

Warrior - Poem

I wrote the following poem for my son, when he was preparing to report for duty in the Navy.

Warrior -

Remember – Son of God

    You enlisted in God’s navy

    Long before man’s

    Committing to defend

    His gospel plan

Shrink not when challenged

    Gain other’s respect

    Strengthened against enemy

    Truth’s emissary

    Answering Mormon curiosity

Dual military mission

    Requiring life’s sacrifice

    Clothe in God’s armor

    Exercise Priesthood power

    Chosen heaven warrior

Through flames of fire

    God defends those

    Who fight His battles

    Surrounding and protecting

    With legions of angels

Janice Harten

Oct 6, 2008
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Boston Massachusetts Temple

It was a little challenging getting to the Boston Temple, because the GPS coordinates didn't come up correctly on the taxi drivers unit.  So all three of us were using our phones to search for the right coordinates.  It was comical, but we finally made it!  I spotted the temple as it appeared for a moment, on the side of the freeway, and quickly motioned to the taxi driver, that that was the place.

The first thing I noticed were the beautiful flowers and landscaping.  Next, I looked up at the steeple, which compliments the many wonderful, historic buildings and churches throughout the area.  Later, one of the temple workers told me the interesting story of how the church acquired the land on which the temple is built.

This is the story, as best I can remember it.  Several years ago, a woman of a different faith, owed a large parcel of land that she wanted to sell to a church.  At the time, our church could only make use of half of the land, but they offered to pay her the full price for that half, if she would be willing to donate the remainder of the land to the church for future purposes.  She agreed.  The church proceeded to build a large church, called a stake center, on half of the land.

Around 1995, the church was searching for land in nearby areas around Boston, to build a temple on, without success.  One day, as President Hinckley was visiting the area, the Stake President was asked if he knew of some land in the area, suitable for a temple site.  The Stake President responded that the church already owned this piece of land.  So, it was a kind of rediscovery of this property.

Bill and I sat together in the Celestial Room of the temple for a long time, following the session we attended.  There were many thoughts and prayers running through my mind, regarding my family and others.  But, my heart was flooded with appreciation for my husband, and I leaned over and whispered my feelings to him.  Moments like these help sustain us during the pressures of life outside the temple.

I noticed the shape of the windows in the chapel area of the temple.  They were set back, deep into the walls, and reminded me of the thick walls, with slits for windows, in stone castles.  I thought how, even as castle walls protect the inhabitants from intruders, these temple walls protect me and my family from the darts of the adversary.