In Liberty Lay a Jail

Yesterday, I came across “In Liberty Lay a Jail”, a beautiful poem by Kelly Miller inspired by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk Lessons from Liberty Jail.

In Liberty lay a jail
T’was as a pit, t’was as hell
Yet, for Joseph, t’was God’s house
To prove God’s light can’t be doused

 

Captivity without cause
Conspiring men without laws
Midst words as foul as the food
Joseph gained faith and was schooled-

“Hold on thy way and pray on
Believe in good and be strong
And when forlorn- endure yet
God is with thee. Don’t forget

Hold on thy way and fear not
Regardless what be your lot
Thy days are known. Bounds are set
God is with thee. Don’t forget”

Each trial’s designed to teach us
To ever trust in Jesus
As God’s wonders do perform
Our darkest days do inform

While we suffer, we ask why
We plea with God and we cry
Then mysteries dance about
As tender thoughts casts out doubt

Glorious answers midst dismal
The dark moment is but small
God is with us through it all
And He answers every call

Though the worthy too suffer
Jesus is there to buffer
And our pain He understands
For it’s written in His hands

If we’re patient and we’re calm
We’ll know soothing with his balm
We’ll feel His love for all men
Our enemies- He loves them

Cheerfully we will stand still
Waiting for what is revealed
For heaven’s powers can be drawn
Midst righteousness God’s light dawns¹

You can read other wonderful poems at LDS Poetry by Kelly Miller.

Sources:

1. Miller, Kelly. “In Liberty Lay a Jail”. 10 December 2008. LDS Poetry by Kelly Miller. 2 January 2009.↩