I’ll Be A Saint

The following gem was found in a publication called “The Mormon” with apostle John Taylor as editor from 1855-1857. Very little is known about the author, except that she was born around 1823 and traveled with the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company of 1853, arriving in the Great Salt Lake valley in October of that year. Her wonderful poem was featured in “The Mormon” February 24, 1855. It seemed only fitting to share it here!

I’ll Be A Saint.
BY LOUISA BRADFORD.

I’ll be a Saint, in Israel’s God believing.
Whose power and wisdom fram’d the universe;
From whom I’m life, and health, and strength receiving:
His matchless praises, Oh! my soul rehearse.

I’ll be a Saint—His Son, my Savior loving.
He my affection’s prime object shall be,
And Oh! what care I for the world’s reproving,
He loves, and manifests His love to me.

I’ll be a Saint—the Holy Ghost beseeching,
In this frail tabernacle to abide;
I thirst for his divine effectual teaching,
Into all truth my willing soul to guide.

I’ll be a Saint—the men of God obeying,
With heavenly wisdom, light, and knowledge fill’d;
No proud self-will, nor stubbornness displaying.
To them will I in meek submission yield.

I’ll be a Saint—for that same faith contending,
Deliver’d once to Saints of early days;
The faith the holy martyrs died defending,
E’en in the lighted faggot’s fearful blaze.

I’ll be a Saint—in Jesus’ knowledge growing,
Unto salvation, that can make me wise;
Not to the flesh, but in the Spirit sowing,
That I eternal life may realize.

I’ll be a Saint—with pure and genuine feeling,
Loving the people of Jehovah’s choice;
To whom He is His purposes revealing,
Who knowing, cheerfully obey His voice.

I’ll be a Saint—the glorious Gospel spreading:
From house to house the “printed word” I’ll bear,
With sisters dear, reproach or scorn not dreading,
And warn my neighbors; for the end is near.

I’ll be a Saint—out of great Bab’lon fleeing,
To Zion’s land, all other lands above;
The mighty God, my lorn condition seeing,
Will shortly open up my way in love.

I’ll be a Saint—and go on to perfection;
And, should I sleep before the Lord appears,
May I have part in the first resurrection,
And live and reign with Him a thousand years.