O hear, O hear, O hear us, O Lord!

My reading this week included D&C 109, the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer. For several years, I've likened this text unto myself in the sense that several of the verses in which Joseph Smith prays about the persecution of the Saints double as expressions of my own prayers in response to anti-gay rights initiatives, Mormon and otherwise.

Today's post is militant. But then, D&C 109 is a militant prayer.

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We ask you, Holy Father, that your servants may go forth armed with your power, and your angels have charge over them; that the ends of the earth may know that this is your work, and that you have put forth your hand to fulfill what you have spoken by the mouths of the prophets concerning the last days. (vv. 22-23)


. . . That no weapon formed against them will prosper; that whoever digs a pit for them will fall into the same; that no combination of wickedness will have power to prevail over your people. (vv. 25-26)

We ask you, Holy Father, to confound, and astonish, and to bring to shame and confusion, all those who have spread lying reports abroad, over the world, against your servants. . . (v. 29)

. . . That all their works may be brought to nothing and be swept away, that there may be an end to lyings and slanders against your people. (v. 30)

O Lord, how long will you suffer this people to bear this affliction, and their blood come up in testimony before you, and not make a display in their behalf? (v. 49)

Have mercy, O Lord, on the mob who have driven your people, that they may cease to spoil; that they may repent of their sins if repentance is to be found. (v. 50).

Remember the kings, the great ones of the earth, the churches—that their hearts may be softened; that their prejudices may give way before the truth, and your people obtain favor in the sight of all. (vv. 55-56)

Remember all your church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections; that the kingdom which you have set up may become a great mountain; that the church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness. (vv. 72-73)

. . . That when the trump shall sound for the dead, we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet you, that we may ever be with the Lord. (v. 75)

O hear, O hear, O hear us, O Lord! Accept the work of our hands. Let these be clothed with salvation, and your saints shout aloud for joy. (vv. 78, 80)