Title of Liberty

Recently I have been reading the “war chapters” in The Book of Mormon. In reading through these chapters many times before, they taught me about the battle between good and evil and the consequences of wickedness. Before now, the “war chapters” were just stories of fighting that led to the appearance and teachings of the Savior to the new world.

While reading through the chapters this time, I was comforted by the principles Moroni and the Stripling Warriors taught in their fight for freedom. It has been a great source of strength in my battle for freedom from Ed.

In Alma 43, the Nephites are led by Moroni to defend their righteous liberties against the Lamanites. Alma 43:48 reads,

“And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts – yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea their freedom from bondage.”

Through these verses my heart thought about the “fierceness and “anger” I often feel from my negative mind and Ed. Yet like the Nephites reminded me, as I think and act with God’s power I am stronger. In moments of great struggle, I think about my dreams and goals of the future. This is especially true of my passion for motherhood. This desire empowers my fight.

In Alma 43:49-50, it describes the increase of their courage as they think about their freedom from bondage:

“And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and the cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.

And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to feel before them. “

Just as the Lamanites fled after the Nephites prayed for strength, so will Ed and my negative mind. God is ever near to strengthen and help me as I rely on Him through prayer and faith.

In Alma 46:12-15, Moroni raises the “Title of Liberty”:

“(12) And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

(13) And he fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land –

(15) And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.”

Moroni’s raising the “Title of Liberty” has made me ponder to write my own “Title of Liberty” against Ed.

BECKY’S TITLE OF LIBERTY

Before raising my “Title of Liberty,” I prepare for my personal fight with the adversary by dressing in the armor of God. My loins are girded in the power of God’s truth of love and faith. I wear the breastplate of righteousness in my will to be obedient to the things I have been taught from heavenly and earthly angels. The helmet of salvation strengthens my wisdom to decipher between the deceits of Ed and the truth of God. My feet are dressed in the gospel of peace, seeking to still the raging storm in my mind. I carry the shield of faith with determination to create strength in my weakness. With continuous prayer in my heart, I hold up the sword of the Spirit to direct me towards the Light of Christ.

With the protection and power of God’s armor, I raise my “Title of Liberty”:

“In memory of my God and His healing power,

A power of changing weakness into strength,

My family and my children - angels of light and truth

My faith to proceed forward with faith

My yearning to become a mother to care for my heavenly angels above

My choice for happiness - a blessing to found along the way

My passion to fulfill life’s fantasies

My gratitude of twinkling tender mercies

My glimmer of growth and change

My embracement of eternal gifts of love

My testimony of God’s power of deliverance for all who are “broken”

My peace and comfort to overcome my mind’s restless storm

My growing love for life

My emerging acceptance of my reflection as a loving daughter of God.”

Self-Loving

On the second day of school, I gave my students a writing prompt, "If I were an animal, I would be . . ." I instructed the students to finish the sentence and then describe why they would like to be that animal. Before they began, we wrote an example together for me:

"If I were an animal, I would be a giraffe. I am not very tall, only 5 feet. If I was a giraffe I would for sure be taller than 6 feet! I like my height now, but the world would look different if I were taller.

I also want to be a giraffe because it has cool, spotted camouflage to hide from predators. When giraffes run they can hide in the desert sand and trees. Their fur is hard to see in the sun's mirage glare.

Giraffes have so many friend to live with. They can be seen traveling with their family and friends through the desert. It is important for me to be with family.

Although a giraffe's height, camouflage and company would be fun to travel with, I am glad to be me!"

As I walked around the room helping and observing the students, it was neat to see their creative responses to so many different animals. However, I was most impressed by Ben's. Through his writing, he taught me the value of self-worth. His answer was:

"If I were an animal, I would be me. I like myself the way I am, so I would not want to be anything else. You could just buy food instead of finding it. There would be nothing that could get me at night."

I love teaching because it seems I get so much more in return. When I told Dr. Julie about it in my session, she challenged me to write why I liked me. To this challenge I wrote the following:

Standing in front of the mirror

My mind is captivated

Pondering the question,

"Why do I love me?"

A simple task

It would seem, especially to answer for someone else

Yet Ed and my negative mind

Destroy my perspective to be unlovable

With faith to believe

God's empowering light of love

I put on heaven's glasses

To enlighten my sight

I love my creative brain

Giving me power to design

Following the passions of my heart

Making creations to fulfill my purpose

I love my sensitive eyes

That seek to highlight and understand the good in others

Striving to sparkle God's light of love

Emulating my inner countenance

I love my faithful heart

Loyal to God, family, and friends

Acting with faith to do His will

Leading to heaven above

I love my open arms

That enwrap, hug, and hold

All that is most precious

Keeping me safe from my unwanted demons

I love the potential of my feet

Guiding me to unknown places

Where opportunities await

Adventures to be unfolded

I love my passion for teaching

Bringing abundant blessings of learning

Adventures to explore God's infinite gifts

With small friends filled with hopeful hearts

I love my gifts of growth

That bring countless, disguised blessings

Building stepping stones to heaven

To reach my divine potential

My love for me grows

A tiny seed planted

Nourished with care for me - inside and outside

Blossoming my true character

I wrote these two poems for Father's Day - one for dad and one for Nelson.

My Father’s Hats

By: Rebecca Yates

6/20/10

My father wears many “hats”

Each with a specific role to play

Bearing unique qualities

All blessing his children with love

“Soldier Hat”

Strong and brave to serve others

Emulating a love of country

Understanding the sacrifice of others for freedom

“Teacher Hat”

Instructing with silent and outspoken words

Exemplifying principles of truth and love

Directing with a simple 3 things

“Ball Cap”

Cheerleading in all seasons, events and games

Whispering and shouting words of encouragement

Constant to his eternal view of true potential

“Construction Hat”

Building playful toys and memories with care

Forming a forever family

Through binding temple covenants

“Vacation Hat”

Creating dreams and fantasies into realities

Making lifelong family memories

Inventing a time capsule of love and laughter

“Friendship Hat”

Never to old or tired to play make-believe

Ever ready to listen and counsel

A confidant to trust and rely on

“Doctor Hat”

Healing internal and external wounds

Strengthening and mending broken hearts

With comfort, care, and love

“Priesthood Hat”

Leading patriarch of our family

Guiding all together to our eternal home

Offering blessings here, now, always

Dad, thanks for all the “hats” you wear

Each emulate your divine, eternal love for me

I love you!

Happy Father’s Day

My Husband’s Hands

By: Rebecca Yates

6/20/10

My life is blessed with loving hands

Expressions of affection each day

Giving warmth and protection

Holding hands

Lead me through physical and spiritual storms

Guiding me heaven bound with love

Walking beside me each step of the way

Hugging hands

Wrap around me

Embracing me with love and encouragement

Blessing me with a place to always call “home”

Serving hands

Attend to daily tasks, seen and unseen

Evidence of unconditional love

A messenger of God’s mercies, miracles, angels

Priesthood hands

Rest tenderly upon my head

Blessing me with God’s power

Of healing, guidance, comfort, and love

Eternal hands

Clasped in the patriarchal grip

Remind me of our temple covenants and blessings

Binding our forever family

I am so grateful for these loving hands

To bless my life throughout eternity

To hold along the path of life

Leading me heaven bound with love

My Sweet Grandmother

I have been working on a poem for my Grandma's birthday, and finally finished - I think! I thought I would share.

My Sweet Grandmother

By: Rebecca Yates

6/6/2010

Grandma, you are a master storyteller

Narrating “Remember whens”

Of events important, silly, & mundane

Capturing a family heritage & legacy

Smiles tickle my face of our memories together

Little moments which shape my character

Blessing me with God’s eternal love

Grandma these are some of my “remember whens”

“Remember when” teaching me to dust at Grandpa Owen’s

A dreaded job of a dust collector

Made fun with tickling hands and dusters

Rewards of treats and tasty popcorn when the job was done

“Remember when” our adventures traveling together

Fairy Tales created in Disneyland, Sea World, Caribbean

Yet the best adventures came in the simple moments

Traveling back to the past with reminiscing memories

“Remember when” you sang each July 7

A birthday song that rang with love

Never forgetting the importance of the one

A silent & outspoken cheerleader to all

“Remember when” you were my nurse on sick days from school

Your love is a magical medicine

Healing broken hearts and spirits with gentle embraces

Mending all things with God’s eternal love

“Remember when” you taught me the tricks to gardening

Planting deep roots of life’s important lessons:

To cultivate and nourish my faith in God above

Understanding growth comes through winds and storms of life

“Remember when” your tradition of poems

Sending treasured messages of love, laugther and life

To be kept in minds and hearts throughout time

Filling hearts with your love

“Remember when” you show and teach of gospel principles

A quiet, yet significant example

True to heavens teachings

Blessing others with divine charity

“Remember when” you share so much of what you have

Blessings others with gifts of love, seen and unseen

An angel of God sent to many

Guiding others with a spirit to heaven above

“Remember when” sitting with me

Swinging on “our ride”

Holding my hand gently

Keeping me safe in the arms of your love

“Remember when” you hug and kiss me

Capturing a glimpse of God’s eternal love

One without limits or conditions

An endless security of peace and joy

Grandma these are just a few “remember whens”

I treasure and recall when feeling lost, lonely or afraid

Uplifting my spirit with love and laughter

Remembering my earthly angel who I love and cherish

Grandma, I love you!

The Master's Touch

The Master’s Touch

Becky Yates

5/16/10

A blank canvas stands before me

Ready for a masterpiece of creation

An outline of my journey and progression

Sketching my divine character

Each brush of the paintbrush is a mark of my character

Depicting the colors of my spirit

Enlightening my true self

Drawing me closer to my home above

At times I set my paintbrush down

Unsure how to continue forward

What color, shade, or stroke to do

Bound by feelings of inadequacy

My eyes are blinded by the darkness of insecurity

My arms and hands become faint

My knees feeble by the load I bear

Captured by the enemy’s snare

Yet I am not alone

My master has never left me

The Master’s Touch embraces my hands

Leading and directing my divine design

Through the actions of my hands

My Master stands behind me

Guiding the strokes and travels of my hand

Embracing me with warmth and love

When my hands stumble and slip

He is there to lead my hand with tenderness

Creating a masterpiece from my mistakes

For in imperfection is His perfection found

Each smear and splotch is part of His plan

Refining and polishing my image

Marking His perfect design as a daughter of a king

With the Master’s Touch, my masterpiece is created

A Mother's Touch

As I was thinking about my mother today I wrote this poem. I thought I would share it.

A Mother’s Touch

By: Rebecca Yates

It is hard to capture the depth and breadth of a mother’s love

A glimpse of heaven’s love, eternal and divine

Tender blessings of God’s grace and mercies

Enrapture in my mother’s gentle touch

Through the touch of my mother’s hands

Comfort, protection, affection surround me

Strengthening and uplifting me heaven bound

Through my mother’s thoughtful prayers

I feel strengthened by the touch of the master’s hand

Miracles and angels enrapture me

Through my mother’s affectionate eyes

Twinkling messages of hope, peace, joy are sent

Guiding my spirit toward my potential as a Daughter of a King

Through my mother’s keen ears

Spoken and unspoken messages are perceived

Understanding listening is worth a lifetime of speaking

Through my mother’s soft spoken words

Encouragement and empowerment is given

Testifying of God’s eternal divinity and love

Through my mother’s faithful footsteps

Her righteous example enlightens my path

Walking beside me each step of the way as my loyal friend

Through the touch of the Master’s hand

He blesses me with an earthly angel

A messenger of God’s true, eternal love

My dear mother

My Heaven Sent Angel

I wrote this poem for Julie for a book I made to say thank you. She has truly been a light and angel in my life. Someone I truly admire, love and treasure. A heaven sent blessing.


These simple words are just a glimpse into a woman I cherish
A steady lighthouse through a dark, thunderous storm of my life
Heaven sent tender mercy, manifesting God’s infinite love for me
My angel of magical light to watch over me

Genuine love mends my broken bucket
Beginning to fill it with the sparkling pixie dust of life
Contagious smiles and tickling stomachs of laughter
Finding freedom to enjoy the simple pleasures of life

Giving hugs to comfort, console, and celebrate
Reminding me I am held in God’s embracing arms of love
A love without limits or conditions
Strengthening my capacity to love and to be loved

Enlightening my faith and testimony in my God
Recognizing His outpouring of daily tender mercies
Empowering my strength to overcome
Magically transforming my stumbling blocks into stepping stones

Shining a trusting light to see my true reflection
Uncovering the twinkle in my eyes again
Ready to explore and experiment my passions and dreams
Discovering the light of joyful possibilities in my life

Guiding my spirit heaven bound
Identifying my character as God sees me:
A daughter of King with promises of eternity
With potential to share a divine light of charity, hope, and peace

A trusting, genuine friend and example
A companion to lean on and lift to higher ground
A cheerleader through my bumps and bruises
A confidant of secrets, worries, passions, dreams

As my journey continues forward
Gratitude fills my heart for your influence and love
Continuing to seek the magic of life to fly
With my angel Tinker Bell at my side