The Keeper of the Gate

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

42  And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

Book of Mormon; 2 Nephi 9:41-42

A sacred path before us lies

Heavenward to a promised abode

Running narrow before our eyes

With a gate at the end of the road

Its entrance is solitary and spare

There’s only one Keeper of the Gate

And Christ employs no servant there

Only He, Chief Judge and Magistrate

To him that knocketh the Redeemer will open

Except fools vaunting riches and learning

Whose hearts are puffed up and unbroken

With minds darkened and Spirits not burning

There’s no escape nor can we be reprieved

From passing through the Holy One’s gate

Where He who judges cannot be deceived

Nor justice and mercy deny our fate

Are we prepared for the Keeper of the Gate

When asked for tokens, will we be mystified

Will our life be found true and straight

Judged as holy, pure and sanctified

Now is the day of our salvation

To work and strive while mortal

As the Keeper waits at His station

For our passage through His portal

Larry Doyle Crenshaw