Elder Marion D, Hanks, Part Three: William Wordsworth and Our Need for Something Real

 If you'd like to read Part One, Part Two, Part Four or Part Five of this series, find the link and click.

Well! I've been away for a few days - struggling through a very difficult problem.

But the clouds have finally lifted, and I can see the sun again. Thank heaven.

So it's with great joy that I return to the talk for April 1972, "Joy through Christ" by Elder Marion D. Hanks to explore some more of these juicy little General Conference references:

 

The Quote

"For some of us, 

a reason for unhappiness is that 

“the world is too much with us; late and soon, / 

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers,” 

as the poet said. 

(William Wordsworth.)"

 

Ah - another reference to William Wordsworth!

Of course, it's from his poem, The World is Too Much With Us - a sentiment I hear from people of many faiths. 

We yearn for something real, like nature in our ears, on our skin, or God in our heart.

And yes, if you're questioning whether God is real, I can say with great certainty that there's nothing more real in my life than God the Father and Jesus Christ. 

Nothing makes me happier. :-)

But whether we believe in God or not, I think we can mostly agree on the beauties and majesty of nature, and how happy we can be when we're out in it, even a little bit.

Where's your favorite place to soak in nature? 

 

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—

Little we see in Nature that is ours;

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

 

 

This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;

The winds that will be howling at all hours,

And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;

For this, for everything, we are out of tune;

It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be

A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;

So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,

Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;

Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;

Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.