Vaughn E. Silcox

These are thoughts that have come to me from time to time. Often in the dark of night but sometimes in the light of day. They have come while driving to work or sitting in church. Sometimes just something I see, a small child, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the snow on the mountainside, the flowers blooming in spring inspire the words that I write. I hope that you will enjoy these words. May you find comfort and peace from these simple rhymes that I have written.

Based on the western song "Utah Kel", this is the story of two friends, Utah Kel Johnson and Gayle Tex Bodily. Utah and Tex, at the young age of 17, leave their homes in west Texas seeking to find work on a trail drive. They meet an old cowboy named Jake Griffith who takes them under his wing and teaches them what they need to know to herd cattle and how to survive on the prairie. Utah and Tex help Jake get his cattle to Laredo where they are hired on by Martin McMillan a longtime friend of Jakes. They begin one of the last big trail drives to Abilene, Kansas. Along the way Utah acquires an unwanted reputation of being good with a gun. Men begin to seek out Utah to test their own skill against his. Tex meanwhile begins to wonder about the universe and the world around him. His curiosity leads Tex to seek out the Mormon religion. Their adventures are a heartwarming mixture of happiness and sadness that will touch your heart. A good old fashioned western story of cattle drives, rustlers, gun fights and finding love along the way.

The old smelter had stood abandoned as long as Ron and his friends, Donny and Steve could remember. Ron and his friends are in for a surprise as the summer begins. Their plan to enter the scary smelter grounds and prove their bravery turns into a nightmare as they discover something totally unexpected. A body is found near the fence that surrounds the old smelter and a murder investigation begins. Ron's brother Vern and his friend Gary who are experts at exploring the old smelter tell Ron and his friends a strange tale. They take Ron and his friends to the smelter where they are confronted by something that defies the imagination. As more bodies and it seems the police are stumped Ron and his friends begin to suspect that a werewolf is in their midst. A frightening story ensues as Ron and his friends try to kill the werewolf.

This is a collection of poems about our Savior that I have written over a number of years. The inspiration for these poems came from many sources. Some from General Conference talks, some from scripture reading and study and many from inspiration I felt during Sacrament meeting talks. Often a word or phrase will stick in my mind and the words start to form unbidden. I have no choice but to write them down. Though many of these poems are written from the perspective of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I feel that these poems of our Savior, will appeal to anyone who has a deep rooted faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

This is a collection of poems I have written over a number of years. The inspiration for these poems came from many sources. Some from General Conference talks, some from scripture reading and study and many from inspiration I felt during Sacrament meeting talks. Often a word or phrase will stick in my mind and the words start to form unbidden. I have no choice but to write them down. Though many of these poems are written from the perspective of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I feel that there are poems, especially those that pertain to our Savior, that will appeal to anyone who has a deep rooted faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.