Toiling sleepless through the night,
We weep because the hearts of all Africa
Are dying.

The long promised plagues
Have come, and the parents’ sins
Are visited on the third and fourth
Generations.

Hazel-eyed lads of ten
Shepherd little black rams with
Broken legs.

And the lads’ sickly sisters bear fear in their
Eyes because their mothers are
All gone.
A whole generation has vanished
Having never known the
Goodness of God,
Asking the question:
“To what black dam should we pray?”

“Was it something offensive to the
Sire of all heaven?

“And how,” they ask, “should we say our
Prayers, seeing the pink mansions of Bountiful,
In the shadow of the temple?”

The Father of all says:

“You, of the land Bountiful, sleep fitfully in examination
Of your sins.
Knit leper bandages,
And think on Africa.

“Bring to it the blood of Christ.
“Truly, it is blood with power.
Power the elements
Will hear.”

Principle: We spend much time worrying about Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. And so we should.  Care for Africa and the rest of the world’s poor as much as possible, but mostly care for each other by keeping the commandments.

Scripture: Mosiah 4:16-21