Wanderers in a Strange Land

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Our time on Earth is a pilgrimage of sorts. Each of us is born into a world that requires us to find our way, to seek knowledge and wisdom and truth.  Of greatest importance is to develop the ability to discern light from darkness, truth from deception, and to align our will to that of our Creator.  He has planted in our hearts His image, and occasionally parts the curtain of our forgetfulness and allows us to remember who we really are and to understand things as they really are.

As wanderers in a strange land, we are subject to sometimes loud and persistent voices of fellow travelers who pretend to know where they are going. However, we soon discover that they are without a compass – directional, moral, or otherwise, and thus, find themselves on lost and forbidden paths.   The wise wanderer will listen to the still small voice which leads to life-saving and life-giving way-stations along the path.

The path of righteousness will lead the wanderer ultimately to the alter of the Temple and its saving and exalting covenants and ordinances.  It is there that we will find ourselves home at last, and receive the Divine Embrace of a loving Heavenly Family.

With such promises awaiting us we proclaim:

No more as wanderers in a wilderness of sin

We take solace in tidings of a brighter day

As the Heavens open and Christ comes again

With banners flowing and angels in array

Wanderers in a Strange Land

…. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction. … Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh; Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, …  And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.  For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory. …Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

Book of Mormon    Alma 13:20-25

We are on an earthly pilgrimage  

In a strange and unknown land

But God has planted in us His image

And holds us in His hand

As wanderers in an unfamiliar place

We learn of prophesies of a glad tiding

Of a Savior, Christ Jesus, Man of Grace

Saving, redeeming, in our hearts abiding

Revelations simple and plain as not to err

Made manifest in all parts of His vineyard

Angels of the Covenant glad tidings declare

Comfort for wanderers worn and scarred

The path of righteousness leads to the Alter

In the Temple of our God - His Holy Place

Where we covenant not to fade or falter

Until we receive the Celestial Embrace

No more as wanderers in a wilderness of sin

We take solace in tidings of a brighter day

As the Heavens open and Christ comes again

With  banners flowing and angels in array

Larry Doyle Crenshaw