Trailing Clouds Of Glory: The poetry and prose of Marion Lauretta Simmons

By Marion Lauretta Simmons

Trailing Clouds of Glory is a lifetime of work by the author Marion Lauretta (or Rita) Simmons. She fervently hopes that her poetry and prose of spiritual wonders and thoughts will fill your heart with peace, love, joy, and gratitude.

The book had its beginnings in 1958 when Rita was twelve years old. She began writing a poem that is a testimony to the pre-existence and the plan of salvation. She wrote two verses and then put them away, knowing that one day she would complete the poem. Six years later, at the age of eighteen, she was invited to speak at a church-sponsored tristate youth conference held at a university in Arkansas. It was then she remembered the treasured verses of her unfinished poem. Taking it out, she began composing the remaining verses and a miracle happened. The words began to flow so swiftly she had difficulty writing them down quickly enough. It was as if the Spirit was whispering into her ear...urging her to write even faster. And then it was finished!

The creation of the poem "Trailing Clouds of Glory" was a spiritual and wondrous experience, and it was well received at the youth conference. It has always been her favorite and touches her heart in a profound way, being her testimony of the eternal life of all humankind. Friends and family alike who have heard or read her poem have often asked for copies. The prelude to the poem is also an important read that tells of an uplifting experience that took place in Anchorage, Alaska in 1970...also a miracle that really happened.

Her poem "The Gift Supreme" speaks about the atonement, the price our savior, Jesus Christ, paid for the redemption of each of us because of his infinite and perfect love. And concerning his subsequent resurrection she writes that Christ was:

The first fruits of them that slept,

The prophecy of old had been kept.

Hence,

The beginning of the resurrection of

The spirits of all man.

This being but one aspect of

Our Savior's atonement plan.

In conclusion, and as testimony to the eternal life of each of us, the following verse from "The Gifts That Are Ours to Give" tenderly hugs the author's heart:

Thanks be to God for all that we are

For all that we are to be.

For he is the Father of our souls

Throughout all eternity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798889606307

Book preview

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Trailing Clouds Of Glory

The poetry and prose of Marion Lauretta Simmons

Marion Lauretta Simmons

Copyright © 2023 Marion Lauretta Simmons

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88960-621-5 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88960-630-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

The Pre-existence

Prelude to the Poem Trailing Clouds of Glory

Trailing Clouds of Glory

The Atonement

For My Savior

The Gift Supreme

Christmas

The Breath of Christmas

Christmas

Past Christmases

Family

Baby Angela Rose

Becoming a Mother

A Couple's Prayer Rug

Golden Anniversary

I Am Thinking About My Granny

Grandpappy

I Just Want to be Me!

A Little Bit of Heaven

My Baby, Who Never Came to Be

My Daddy's Hands

My Mother

Our Family Tree

Our Knight of Valor

Our Temple Marriage

Rainbow of Love

Still Me

Two Mothers

Two Special Fathers

What Do I Owe My Mother?

Within These Walls

You Are Ours

Gospel Blessings

Blessings Through Obedience

The Comforter

The Feast

A Glorious New Day

Happiness

Memories of the Mind

My Church

Our Bishop

Scriptures

A Teacher's Love

Today Is Mine!

Prelude to Twelve Hundred Miles

Twelve Hundred Miles

What Are Temples Made Of?

Baptism

My Prayers

Missionary Work

As from a Dream

Lost!

A Missionary

Our Missionary Son

To My Dear Son

Pioneers

All Is Well

Handcart Pioneers

Relief Society

The Gifts That Are Ours to Give

Let's Go Out and Minister to Our Sisters

Ministering Sisters, Ministering Angels

Scripture Characters

The Conversion of Zeezrom

David

Virtues

The Elusive Sands of Time

Gift Giving

Goals

Gratitude

The Great Face of Stone

I See!

Looking Glasses

Love

Love

Motivate

Till Each Forgets

What Is Love?

Acrostic Poems

Genealogy

Honesty

I Am Accountable

Peace

Repent

Spirit

Temples

Worships

Just for Fun

Beautiful Lover

Come Back to Me

The Doldrums

First Love

Food for Thought

Golden Leaves

Halloween Night

Mother's Ill

My Homeland!

My Pink, Fragrant Roses

Our Love

Our Summer Walks

Stop

To My Heart

What Is a Teenager?

Your Every Day, Romantic Way

Trailing Thoughts from Youth

Enchanted Love

Mirrors of Life

My Carefree Childhood Days

The Last Seat

Time's A-wasting

About the Author

Preface

This collection of poems and writings contains my impressions and testimonies as a young girl from the age of twelve and continuing throughout a lifetime of spiritual experiences. Stirrings of inspiration to write down my innermost feelings came from the talents of a teacher at church who was both a poet and a lyricist, Annie Bivins. I so admired her work! I was very young, but I yearned to have talent like hers. This arousal gave birth to my desire. I wanted to lift and move others in poetic form and beauty as she did.

My grandfather, Earl Simmons, was also a poet and lyricist. I feel a kindred spirit and closeness to him. Although I was not yet two years old when he passed away, his writings have inspired me.

A large portion of the poetry found in these pages is related to principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ as known and taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The remaining works include a collage of feelings, emotions, values, joy, and eternal thoughts pertaining to this earthly life. The purpose of this book is to enrich and uplift the reader.

Regarding the signatures at the bottom of my poetry and writings not always being the same, the reason is that they were written at different times of my life. I have been known as Rita Simmons, later as Rita Wright, and still later as Rita Coley. Rita is my nickname for Lauretta. So many names, but each one is still me.

MLS

The Pre-existence

Prelude to the Poem Trailing Clouds of Glory

As a young girl, I was taught by the missionaries who would enter our home to discuss the restoration of the gospel. The concept of the pre-existence struck a strong chord in my heart. I knew that I had lived in the spirit world before coming to this earth. The testimony of this burned deeply within me.

At the age of twelve, I had numerous talks with a close school friend of mine, Gloria, who happened to be Baptist. She had a totally different religious background from me, and we had many deep discussions. It was at this time that I began to think so much about the pre-existence. I sat down one day and wrote a few verses about the subject. I had the opening of a poem, I knew this, but my mind went blank, and I did not know where to go from there. I put the verses away, knowing that someday I would complete it.

Years later, at the age of eighteen, I was asked to give a talk on the pre-existence at a youth conference. The memory of that unfinished poem came to my mind. I took it out and determined to finish it. As I sat with pen in hand, a wonderful thing happened—I began writing more verses. The words flowed without a pause. It was like they were being whispered into my mind, and I could not write fast enough. The poem was complete. Nothing needed to be changed. I felt so exhilarated and at peace at the same time. I knew I had written this poem with inspiration.

I read the poem at a youth conference in Arkansas. The conference was a large one held at a university. I gave the talk on pre-existence, closing with the reading of the poem. I told the audience about the occurrences preceding the writing, and then I read the poem, Trailing Clouds of Glory. As I looked into the congregation, I saw people wiping their eyes, and I saw tears. I felt the spirit so strongly that day. Afterward, many people, some I did not know, gave me their addresses and asked for a copy of the poem.

Fast-forward five years. I am in Sacrament Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, with my husband, my two-year old daughter, and my four-month-old son. I must take my son, Todd, out because he is crying. I sit in the foyer and listen to the talks over the intercom. The closing speaker, a woman whose family has just moved into our ward, is giving a talk on the pre-existence. I am interested. I listen intently. After she finishes her talk, she says she wants to close with a poem. Then she relates a background about the author of the poem. My ears perk up. She says that the young girl, who wrote the poem, started writing it at the age of twelve. I think, wow, that is incredible; the same thing happened with me. Then she says that she did not complete the poem until the age of eighteen. I think this is so unbelievable, that is just like