Little poem popular among Mormons speaks volumes

[SeattleUte]

The poem set forth below is apparently making the rounds in some Mormon circles. Mormons' attraction to it speaks volumes. First, demonstating the lack of clear thinking about their own system of beliefs. The poem clearly was authored by a fundamentalist protestant Christian. How do I know? Well, the author being from Franklin, TN is my first clue. But the clincher is Jesus carrying a timeless book inscribed in its pages the names of people destined to be saved from the beginning of time. That an elect few are predestined to be saved by grace is of course a pillar of Calvinist protestantism. But, as is clear from this forum, it's not clear where Mormonism stands on this issue.

Also, many Mormons love their art cheesy; the cheesier the better. But the poem is beyond cheesy--the conflation of the idea of a Second Coming with a famous poem about Santa Claus coming is unwitting irony sufficient to make a hard headed skeptic howl with laughter.


Twas the Night before Jesus Came
A poem transcribed from a CD released
by Milk & Honey, Franklin, TN
Twas the night before Jesus came, and all through the house,
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were put on the shelf without care,
In hopes that Jesus would never come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Without ever kneeling or bowing a head.
Mom in her rocker with Sue on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be the day.
The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus, returning just like He said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man. [person]
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name,
When He said "It's not Here," my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready, He rose with no sound,
While all the rest were left on the ground.
I fell to my knees but it was too late;
I'd waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only we'd been ready tonight!
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear:
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life; when comes the last call;
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

[RockyBalboa]

If this going in Mormon circles this is the first I've read or heard of this poem.

Maybe I'm just not in the loop as much as I thought I was.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Good heavens, that is cheesy.

Never heard of it. I can safely say that most LDS folks I know would groan and roll their eyes if they heard this poem at church.

[jay santos]

Your assumptions speak volumes about your tendency to grasp at any straw that might make Mormons look bad or especially dumb.

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

The poem set forth below is apparently making the rounds in some Mormon circles. Mormons' attraction to it speaks volumes. First, demonstating the lack of clear thinking about their own system of beliefs. The poem clearly was authored by a fundamentalist protestant Christian.

Would it be wrong or inappropriate or out of character for Mormons to use Christian created literature for themselves? C.S. Lewis is quoted almost as much as Joseph Smith in conference these days. Check it out sometime.

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

How do I know? Well, the author being from Franklin, TN is my first clue. But the clincher is Jesus carrying a timeless book inscribed in its pages the names of people destined to be saved from the beginning of time.

What a first class detective you are. Sign you up for Law and Order. I'm sure all those Mormons are mindlessly forwarding this email on assuming its from the Quorum of the 12. Here's another clue. How about all the references to BIBLE? Mormons use the word SCRIPTURES not BIBLE in these cases. And that is not lost on anyone, including dopey Mormons who are prone to forwarding emails, many of which are created by Christians.

On another note, have you noticed the people who forward these emails are usually <20 years old or >50 years old. Kids and old people, who are having their first experience with the internet. Drives me crazy.

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Also, many Mormons love their art cheesy; the cheesier the better.

Yawn, so do Americans in general.

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

But the poem is beyond cheesy--the conflation of the idea of a Second Coming with a famous poem about Santa Claus coming is unwitting irony sufficient to make a hard headed skeptic howl with laughter.

Please explain. I understand the intentional irony which the author used to further the story. Am I missing something else, or are you making fun of the intentional irony?


Another brilliant post, SU. Keep it up. Helps me pass the day.

[All-American]

Sad to say, I have heard it. It was read in my 9th grade Seminary class.

I think your sticking the thermometer by which to gauge Mormonism's temperature up the wrong bodily orfice.

[il Padrino Ute]

That is the first I've ever seen that.

I think SU is just trying to stir it up again. Nothing wrong with that.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

That is the first I've ever seen that.

I think SU is just trying to stir it up again. Nothing wrong with that.

Solid, prominent Mormons sent this to me. I promise. AA provides proof this is making the rounds among Mormons.

[Archaea]

Are you certain you haven't confused us with somebody else?

Now that you're outside the realm, it seems you attribute, willingly and oft unwittingly, matters to Mormon culture which reflect badly upon Mormon culture to satisfy your prejudices.

This poem sounds very evangelical and unlikely to be of Mormon origin as it references the "Bible."

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Solid, prominent Mormons sent this to me. I promise. AA provides proof this is making the rounds among Mormons.

I see. Still, it's the first I've heard of it. I thought it was silly and couldn't even finish it.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Are you certain you haven't confused us with somebody else?

Now that you're outside the realm, it seems you attribute, willingly and oft unwittingly, matters to Mormon culture which reflect badly upon Mormon culture to satisfy your prejudices.

This poem sounds very evangelical and unlikely to be of Mormon origin as it references the "Bible."

Damnit, I told you Mormons sent it to me. AA heard it in his son's seminary class.