A Saint's Frustration

A book of scripture so completely pure
Can offer divine guidance from above
Which always comforts me so I am sure
It helps me through the hardest times with love.

It knows so much I cannot understand,
And has the keys to greatness eternal,
And though I realize it should be in hand
Persuasion caused intent to fade and fall.

And when I try to read the book so clean
Of stories of the prophets of the past
I need the prophet Nephi to be seen--
It's just to get my reading time to last.

Since visions may not come to later part,
I'll pray to keep the hope inside my heart.

(Original sonnet by Shane Hathaway, about 1990)