When I was leaving for college, my Dad sent me with a
gift. It was a poem, written for me and
my sisters with his love for us so evident.
He begged us to be careful; he pled with us to “Marry Well.” My Mom sent me with a gift as well. Hers was a framed picture of the Mesa
Temple. Not only did she want me to
marry in the temple forever and not just for this life, she also hinted strongly
that marrying an Arizona boy (with much more chance of settling down near them)
would be ideal! I was armed with my
parents love for me and all their hopes for a happy future.
I think they would approve of me sharing this wonderful poem
that I sent with all my daughters to college as well!
To My Daughters:
MARRY WELL
The time has come, in life’s
short span, (it seems appropriate)
For your old Dad, imperfect
still, to tell you, “what is what.”
Now this I know, that much
advice is cheap—and lightly taken,
But may I plead just once with
you—let not this be forsaken.
For heeding this may mean for
you a life of heaven or hell--
Both here, and in
eternity! So hear this: “Marry Well.”
Now I don’t mean that “he” must
be all handsome, rich, and smart—
Just prayerfully choose a man
who loves the Lord with all his heart!
Make your decision strong and
sure, and set a goal divine,
That when romance with all its
joy comes on, you’ll turn out fine.
Just be on guard that when you
date, strong passions cannot rule,
But let a Heav’nly Friend be
there to keep you calm and cool.
Be sure to know “him” long
enough to see how he will be
When things don’t go just his
way—will he act angrily?
How will he treat his mom and
dad? And will he keep his word?
And honor he his priesthood
call? His covenants with the Lord?
Dear girls, till now you’ve
lived good lives—there’s lots of credit due!
Decisions you have made thus
far have made me proud of you!
But hear this—of all the
choices in this world that tongue can tell—
The greatest in eternity is
this—to marry well.
--Jay
M. Richardson
One of the first things I did when I got to college was to
hang my poem and my picture in my dorm room.
How I wanted to make Mom and Dad proud of me, and to have the good life
they desired for me.
Soon, my parents had boys they were sending off to college
as well. So my Dad wrote a poem for them
with his charge and his love:
To my Sons, Grandsons, and Potential
Sons-in-Law
BE CLEAN
The time has come in life’s
short span for your old Dad to give
Advice to all his sons to help
them live as they should live.
Now this I know that there’s
advice on every hand each day—
You cannot follow all of it,
but please, just hear me say:
If you’d succeed both here and
in eternity’s big scene,
Give heed to this and learn it
well— be clean, dear sons, be clean!
For cleanliness in person can
help one feel his best,
His public and self-image
enhanced by how he’s dressed.
And cleanliness in speech will
show he’s cultured and refined,
For what comes out tells what’s
inside his heart and in his mind.
His mind? Above all keep it
clean—allow no rubbish there;
For what we think and dwell
upon, that’s us—our character!
We cannot let bad movies, TV
shows, magazines,
Vulgar stories, any trash
invade a mind that’s clean.
Especially when it comes to
girls—treat them respectfully,
Till one day one clean,
virtuous maid you’ll wed eternally.
Dear sons, you are outstanding
boys—choice spirits every one,
With great potential for a life
that’s really just begun.
Oh, please keep your life so
sweet, with conscience innocent, serene,
So God can say one day, “Dear
son, come here, for you are clean."
My Mom still sent the framed picture of the temple to her
sons, with her hopes they too would marry for eternity (an Arizona girl please!)
It didn’t really work—I have siblings living
all over the country! But wow, did they
marry well! And one thing is sure: We all had no doubt our parents loved us
dearly and wanted the very best for us. Our
greatest desire was to make them proud of us!
Hope you enjoy my treasured poems. Due to
the special nature of these poems, I ask that you please be respectful and
ask permission before reprinting. Thank you. I would love any comments
below.
Labels: " "Be Clean", Poems--"Marry Well, Young Adults--Marry Well
