Pearls for Sand

Fade, earth and idle pleasure;
They are the soul's distress;
They glitter from a distance,
Yet who will them caress,
Accepts but filth for jewels
And for the pearls but sand;
For in their magic potion
There is but death at hand.
--Zion's Harp #84 vs. 2

I had to think of the hymn we sang. "The Real Longing for Home" -- the words in that hymn had a great, great meaning. How often we go over these words and possibly do recognize the depth of them.

"Fade, earth and idle pleasures, they are the soul's distress. They glitter from a distance, yet who will them caress?" The things of this world -- they glitter. Truly, they are well described in this hymn. These things DO glitter and they will attract people's attention with the desire to embrace them or to want them. But, dear ones, they are a hindrance to the soul.

"For the pearls but sand -- for in their magic potion, there is but death at hand." Do you catch it? I think the meaning here is in the word "potion." Possibly you don't know what a potion is. Potion can be described as a concoction which is deadly poison. A potion could be pottage or porridge which has death in it. And, beloved ones, the idle pleasures of earth and -- for the people who wish to embrace them -- there is death in them. Often people do not recognize this.

So, the apostle describes to us that our life should be a life of prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, living honestly and holy. What a wonderful life that will be! That should bring love, joy and peace to anyone's heart and an appreciation for God who sets forth these virtues, who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. L.H.