(The following poem,
Appreciation,” was written by President Lee and was read at his home to celebrate
the 38th anniversary of his birth. The poem was copied by his father, and was
later found among his genealogical works. The latter part of the poem was
written at a later date.)
To my mother who gave me birth
And as God’s anent to superintend
My entrance to this earth,
“I give you thanks.”
For your work to train my feet
To walk life’s difficult path of right
And honor the name “Bingham Lee”
“Accept my praise”
When tongues of slander would blight my life
And would discourage and dishearten me,
You stood faithfully day and night
“My loyal friend.”
I have seen you, Dad,
Stand through the heart of day,
Our Provider—Protector—Head,
Bearing burdens without complaint.
“My gratitude to you.”
For fern, the first great love of my life
Whose selfless devotion and humility
Inspire me to live from “dawn of day to dark of night£
A better man.
“I worship at your shrine.”
For bearing me two lovely girls
Who think their dad can do no wrong,
Who bear the impress of your hand,
“Words can’t express.”
And so on this, my natal day,
I am not what I seem to be;
Life, strength, and immortality
I have today
“Because of these, my loved ones.”
As life moved on with rapid pace
My lovely Joan to me;
So Joan joins Fern
That three might be, more fitted for eternity
“O Heavenly Father, my thanks to thee.” (“President Harold B. Lee 1899-1973,” Deseret
News 1974 Church Almanac: Historical Facts, Brief Biographies, Statistics and
Information Review of 1973 [Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1974], 17)
I know what you are thinking:
