Of Royal Birth

by Jessica Hodnett

To wake up at 5:00 A.M.

to get to seminary on time.

To stay home from Junior Prom

because you haven’t turned sixteen.

To turn down a position on All Stars

because the games are on Sunday.

To put school on hold

while you serve a mission.

To pay an honest tithe

out of your hard-earned income.

To be the only one at the swim party

wearing a modest bathing suit.

To know you’re of royal birth—

A child of God.

Pure Innocence by Jessica Brinton