The following is the text of the dedicatory prayer of Ireland, October 23, 1985, offered by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in Loughbrickland, County Down. Loughbrickland was the site of the first Latter-day Saint baptism in Ireland.
Almighty God, Father of us all, Thou whose Power calls
worlds into existence and by whose word worlds pass away, receive this petition
from a handful of Thy children on this Emerald Isle on one of Thy planets. We
assemble Father, in near obscurity, but in deep humility, to acknowledge the
labors, during decades past, to bring the fulness of the gospel message to the
people of Ireland and to establish further Thy Kingdom here, including the
first baptism on this island in this very place by one who became a latter-day
prophet, John Taylor.
We acknowledge, Father, that we are mere mortals, and so
we see nations and we see borders, however, Thou seest but one flock-- all of
Thy children. We know Father, where we see races Thou seest one people and all
are Thine people. For all mortals are truly Thy spirit children, and for that
act of Fatherhood we praise Thy name and Thy plan.
In that spirit of gratitude, Father, we plead with Thee
to look with fresh favour upon all of Ireland to the end that this Emerald Isle
will know further greening through the fulness of the restored gospel.
Where there has been strife, may there be peace, and if
not full peace enough peace for Thy cause to move forward as never before. May
Thy soothing Spirit, Father, encourage reconciliation through the restoration,
and may Thy saints be kept from harm's way in the midst of all these things.
Bless them, Father, go with them and be with them in order that they may know
when to go to the right or to the left so as to be kept from harm's way.
Hasten the day, Father, the Millennial day, when spears
do become pruning hooks and swords plowshares. Meanwhile, may unnecessary
differences be dissolved, leaving only - as Thou hast said - Either the wide
gate and the wide way or the narrow gate and the needle's eye.
O Lord of the narrow gate and the needle’s eye hear our
prayer this day for Thy purposes to be hastened here on this entire land.
May it be here, as during the mortal ministry of Thy Son,
that the common people hear Him and His message gladly. May it occur here also,
Father, that Thine elect women and men will be searched out from among the
people of Ireland; Thine elect women and men to take their place in the Kingdom
Thou hast established. We do know Father, that some in Ireland today, were, as
the Prophet Alma has said, called and prepared from before the foundation of
this world.
Father, hasten that day when every knee shall bow and
every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, for then, Father, we know it
will not be possible to stand up. Meanwhile, Father, may the teaching and the
spreading of the gospel of Thy Son everywhere cause more and more people to
confess Him now, and gladly. and to worship Him now. and fully.
May Church members and missionaries alike in Ireland be
blessed to bring such a hastening to pass--a quiet hastening such as has never
been before on this island.
Father, in recognition of any past prayers of dedication
which may have included this island, in the power and authority of the Holy
Apostleship, I now humbly so dedicate this land to the spreading of the gospel
of thy Son and to the more complete establishment of His Church here to the end
that the elect will heed the call and call home to Thy Kingdom.
Father, may we now see Thy Spirit work upon peoples and
governments. May there be changes in attitude and sufficient tolerance. May
this glorious gospel move forward as never before. Bless Thy members and Thy
Saints here with deepened discipleship, deepened determination and the precious
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
May this day and this place mark the dawning of a new era
for Thy work on this island and hasten the perfect day. May Thy saints be
illuminated by Thy Spirit and may radiance flow from their countenances. May
their sons and daughters be married in holy temples and go on missions. May
added love be in their homes and in their hearts.
Bless Thy First Presidency and the leaders and members of
the Church everywhere, this day and always. May the fiery darts of the
adversary be quenched by the shield of faith held aloft by the leaders and
members of the Church in Ireland.
May our lives, Father, henceforth be more righteous, our
homes more happy, and the progress of Thy work more rapid, we pray gratefully,
humbly, and expectantly, Holy Father, in the sacred name of Thy Beloved Son,
Jesus Christ, Amen. (sources)
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