Original Poem: The Least Of These

With inspiration from

Psalms 107: 23 - 31

A ship arrived in port one day, through heavy seas, and gale. 

some say the safe return was due, to skills at helm and sail. 

They say the captain, brave and true, steered through the mountainous waves,

and kept them all from drowning deaths, and lonesome, watery graves. 

Three cheers they called, lets lift him high, and carry ‘im down the plank, 

and show him heart-felt gratitude, in honor of his rank. 

But the Captain waved their praises off, with head bowed to the ground, 

he asked if they would lend an ear, curious they gathered round. 

You see, my crew, it is quite true, I skipper you good men, 

but I do not control the waves, nor direct the savage wind. 

It’s He, the master mariner, who kept us from the grave, 

and held us in his hallowed hand, it’s He, ‘’mighty to save.’’     Alma 34:18 

And as your Captain, whom you hold, in highest of esteem, 

I must confess, amid redress, I’m not quite what I seem. 

You see, I am ashamed to say, for some time I’ve been lost, 

and drifted on the sea of life, alone, and tempest-tossed. 

But after all sad wanderings, I’m fi-nal-ly at ease,

because a mate showed me the way, I was His  “least of these.”    Mathew 25:40 

He cradled me in kindness and, shared with me His love, 

He guided me, o’er treacherous sea, and blessed me from above.  

And now my eyes are opened wide, and yes I see His light. 

No more to be a blinded guide, I look towards heavens height.     Mathew 15:14 

It wasn’t me who brought us through, but our Almighty Lord! 

So honor Him who lends us breath, it’s Him to look toward.       Mosiah 2:21 

.  .  .  .  .  .

So trust in Him, out on the deep, as you sail the briny breeze  .  .  .  .

and praise Him who’s “mighty to save” .  .  .  .  . and serve His  “least of these.” 

March 25, 2012  -  By J. Brad Chapman

Original Composition: A Gift From The Sea

This is a song that I wrote while living on Guam between 1989 and 1995.  I visited the Rock Islands in Palau while on a family vacation. We took a one day skiff excursion out through the Rock Islands and I was blown away at the sheer beauty. We also learned about the LEGEND OF THE EYE-LAYING CYCLE OF THE TURTLE while we were there and upon returning to Guam I wrote this song.

Original Poem: Of Wind And Waves

I see fear in their furrowed brow, their terror stricken eyes,
as they stare into the fierceness of the gale.
I see the tenseness of their hands, their strained and vice-like grip,
as they wildly clutch the safety of the rail.

The panic seizes all the crew, as the pouncing tiger waves,

leap with fury  across the drenched and heaving deck.

Tender thoughts of family sweeps with horror through their minds,

as they contemplate their doomed and foundering wreck.

With seas now sloshing around  their knees, they know that soon they'll sink,

the time is now or never to do or die.

But lo, look there, the sleeping Lord knows nothing of the storm,

but calmly slumbers even when death is nigh.

He’s jostled from a fitful sleep, and standing, stretching now,

He feels the awkward movement of the waves.

“Carest not that we parish?” is the question he is given,

as their eyes reveal their fear of watery graves.

So gazing out upon the deep, He slowly lifts His arm,

and rebukes the wind with gentle words, not shrill.

The men now all-aghast, as the winds start to subside,

with His meek and lowly words of .  .  .  . “Peace, Be Still."

Why are ye all so fearful? Why do ye have no faith?,

He questions as the winds lay down to calm.

“What manner-of-man is this?” they say, “that even-the-wind and sea,

obey this man who has no doubts or qualms.”

.  .  .  .

And now we look back on that day, that fierce, tempestuous storm.

when the Master did command the wind and waves.

But more than that, we’re sore amazed, He’d not just rescued us,

but with His blood  .  .  .  .  .  . our souls  .  .  .  .  .  He’s mightily saved!

Of Wind and Waves 

By J. Brad Chapman

November 2, 2014

There is a painting in the lobby of the Las Vegas Temple of the Savior calming the wind and waves. It is my favorite painting of that event. I wrote this poem with that painting in mind and tried to capture the feelings and thoughts from the faces and actions of the crewman.

Painting by Walter Rane

Original Composition: Like Unto This River

This is a song that I wrote using Father Lehi's  and Nephi's words in 1st Nephi in the Book of Mormon. The scriptures are 1 Nephi 2:9-10, 3:7, and 20:18. The photos are of my 4 favorite rivers: the Colorado, the Sa'Dan River in Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Ayung River in Bali, Indonesia, the Seneca River in upstate New York, and a handful of rivers on my mission to Japan. This song is dedicated to all of my grandchildren (who I love with all of my heart).