A Wayward Child of God (Poem by Elder James Romney)

Weep, thou veiled heavens.
Rain down thy tears for me.
Come forth, thou wailing wind
And screech thy melody.

The elements themselves
Cry out with all their might,
Filled with dread and wonder
To see my shocking plight.

The very God of all
Shaped my immortal soul.
Yet I have turned from Him
And spurned His holy role.

The grace of Christ was mine,
As it had always been,
But I have turned my face
Toward the sins of men.

Wherefore does my heart shake
And quiver with such fright
At being brought to stand
Before Him in His light?

Oh, Christ, my Redeemer,
Whose hand I have refused,
Please stretch it forth once more
Before my soul I lose.

I need Thee evermore.
Hide not Thyself from me.
For now my broken heart
Is pulling me to Thee.

My hope in Thee is full,
Held firm by stable trust,
To know Christ, my Savior,
The King of all is just.


  The thought of rejecting our Savior's help is terrifying. He always invites us to come unto Him, and we should never delay following that invitation. We need His help, not only in our darkest hour but in our brightest day as well.