Tell Your Neighbor! — The importance of missionary work, in poem form
TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR
I dreamed as I lay sleeping,
. I laid this mortal by,
And stepped across the threshold
. To that land beyond the sky.
I saw my father, my mother too,
. Grandparents, relatives dear,
Brothers and sisters of the Church
. Were there with love and cheer.
Then I beheld my neighbors
. Who had been so sweet and gay,
But they came not to greet me —
. Instead they turned away.
I ran to them, “It’s me!” I said,
. “Your neighbor from beyond.”
“Don’t you know me?” I asked of them,
. But they answered not a word.
I turned and saw my Savior,
. On His face there was a frown.
“I surrendered my life for them,
. But you surely let them down.”
“Behold your loving neighbors,
. Standing sadly here today.
Barred from the highest glory,
. Because you would not say,
“I know the truth, come listen now
. And I will tell you why
I live, believe, the way I do
. And of your home on high.”
“Instead you said, ‘They have their church,
. My neighbors I won’t offend.
Perhaps I’ll stir up anger,
. And I’ll lose them as my friends.’ ”
“My commandment is,” He said to me,
. “To share with all you meet,
Your love of the Gospel, your love of the Son,
. Your testimony complete.”
“Oh blessed Savior, please be kind,
. Do send me back, I plead –
That I might speak to everyone,
. Meeting their righteous need.”
Then I awoke, “Was it a dream?”
. I felt it could not be.
It was a warning, direct and strong,
. From our dear Lord, to me!
Before another day may pass
. I shall the gospel share,
Friends and neighbors, one and all
. Will of great truth be aware.
So when I stand before His bar
. And I look in my Savior’s eye,
I will say with an honest heart,
. “Thou knowest that I did try!”