1976
Be Still
December 1976


“Be Still,” Ensign, Dec. 1976, 5

Be Still

Be quiet, fractious children, boys

And girls agog, young folk self-willed!

Abstracted fathers, back to poise!

Distracted mothers, peace—be stilled!

Be still within! By car, by air,

Through daily fretting, nightly pain,

At birth or death, yet still his care,

Be calm: receive the Lord again.

Be still and know … How else to know

That joy in husband, child and wife;

In sister, brother, friend? or grow

Our meanings from the seed of life?

How else to feel at one with all

The Lord’s creation, worm and star,

The whirlwind and the waterfall

The center linking near and far?

Like Mary, choose the better part:

Sit down as by him, ease your load;

Commune as with him, heart to heart.

Be still; and know that he is God.

But now, be Martha: rise once more,

Prepare the supper, sweep the floor,

And trim the lamp; now, work your fill—

The bridegroom’s at the gate. Be still!

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