And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.<\/span><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
There is another hymn that would have been apropos. \u00a0It was written in 1901, I believe, in honor of Dr. Karl G. Maeser (1828-1901), the German-born convert who effectively founded the Church Educational System and who was a vital figure in the history of Brigham Young University. \u00a0Between 1948 and 1985, it was included in the official Church hymnal:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Come, lay his books and papers by,<\/span>
\nHe shall not need them more,<\/span>
\nThe ink shall dry upon his pen,<\/span>
\nSo softly close the door.<\/span>
\nHis tired head, with locks of white,<\/span>
\nAnd like the winter\u2019s sun<\/span>
\nHath lain to peaceful rest to-night \u2013<\/span>
\nThe teacher\u2019s work is done.<\/span><\/p>\nHis work is done; no care to-night<\/span>
\nHis tranquil rest shall break.<\/span>
\nSweet dreams, and with the morning light<\/span>
\nOn other shores he\u2019ll wake.<\/span>
\nHis noble thoughts, his wise appeal,<\/span>
\nHis works that battles won;<\/span>
\nBut God doth know the loss we feel \u2013<\/span>
\nThe teacher\u2019s work is done.<\/span><\/p>\nWe feel it, while we miss the hand<\/span>
\nThat made us brave to bear,<\/span>
\nPerchance, in that near-touching land<\/span>
\nHis work did wait him there,<\/span>
\nPerchance, when death its change hath wrought,<\/span>
\nAnd this brief race is run,<\/span>
\nHis voice again shall teach. Who thought<\/span>
\nThe teacher\u2019s work was done?<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
This morning, we attended our ward\u2019s sacrament meeting. \u00a0After years of service, our bishopric was released \u2014 my wife and I, by the way, are the assigned \u201cministers\u201d to our now ex-bishop and his family \u2014 and a new bishop was called, with two new counselors.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, leaving the meeting early, we drove northward to the rough vicinity of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, where I was privileged to stand in the circle for the blessing of a nephew\u2019s new daughter. \u00a0(There was also a baby blessing in our own ward this morning.)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comings and goings. \u00a0Exits and entrances. \u00a0Arrivals and departures. \u00a0Sunrise. \u00a0Sunset.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I were ever to write a basic textbook on \u201cMormonism\u201d \u2014 several non-LDS academics who teach survey courses on world and\/or American religions have told me that such a thing is needed \u2014 it would include a chapter on \u201cThe Latter-day Saint Life Cycle.\u201d \u00a0And that chapter would include, among other things, a discussion of Latter-day Saint baby blessings, funerals, callings, and releases. \u00a0Such transitions make up the substance of everyday life for members of the Church<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 \u00a0 Mine has been a weekend full of transitions. \u00a0I\u2019ve written here already about attending the funeral of our good friend Arnie Green. \u00a0One thing that I liked about it was singing a fourth verse of \u201cHow Firm a Foundation,\u201d which I don\u2019t believe that I\u2019ve ever sung or heard before: \u00a0 When through […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/186\/2015\/10\/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-1012337-gallery.jpg\")
<\/a>