The world gives to each living soul
a label, brand, or mark.
Sometimes it’s based on hue of skin:
pale, yellow, pink, or dark.
Divisions based on what we speak
and how we have been taught,
according to our circumstance,
the world assigns our lot.
Consistent with what we possess
we’re judged as rich or poor,
or middle class. Where ere we fit,
the world says, "go, get more."
Some souls inherit vim and health,
some live life maimed and flawed.
The reason? Some say “merely chance”,
while others point to God.
We all concede that life’s unfair,
and yet we disagree
on why that is. Each has his view,
his own philosophy.
The nations spread across the globe
are not all likewise blessed.
To me, the answer’s simply said:
this earth life is a test.
It all depends on what we need
how God assigns our time and place.
Our individual plan decides
the challenges we face.
Mortality is our one chance
to live away from home.
Some lessons we can only learn
by living on our own.
But, with that said, I’m quick to add,
in one important sense,
we’re equal. Yes, we’re all alike.
There is no difference.
The woman of Samaria
learned from God’s Firstborn Son
that living bread and water
are meant for everyone.
For Jew or gentile, simple, wise,
rich, poor, dark, light, strong, maimed;
for all who follow Christ the Lord,
the water is the same.
The water is the same for all.
The last shall be the first.
All those who love and serve the Christ
can drink and never thirst.

My employment gives me the chance every three or four years to accompany students to some Spanish-speaking country where they study university courses in Spanish language, and Hispanic literature and culture for six weeks. Although I am always enthusiastic about the prospect of taking a break from my regular routine to meet new people and experience new places, it doesn’t take me long to miss my family and the relatively comfortable circumstances of our life together. Once in the country, I always seek out the local ward or branch and become as involved as I can. The most valuable lesson I gain from each experience is always the same one: that despite our differences in culture and circumstance, all people are children of our Heavenly Father, and He invites all to come unto Him through His Son. His church has been or is being established all over the world so that all His children have an opportunity to respond to that invitation. One of my times away from home several years ago was in Valparaiso, Chile. I found that the saints there face many challenges that are unique to their circumstances as they strive to live Christ’s teachings and serve in His kingdom. One of the benefits that being away from home provides is an increase in my discretionary time, especially in the evenings. I choose to use some of that time to write. This poem I call “The Water is the Same” was written on a Monday night during my family home evening alone away from home. It was inspired by my attendance both the Saturday before at a baptism and the Sunday before at the meetings of a small branch of the Church where about 45-50 members were in attendance. My conversations with the members and the missionaries there put me in a reflective mood, and so I dedicate this poem to them.