LDS Hymn #58

Hymn #58 - Come, Ye Children of the Lord

This is one of the hymns that has reached into various aspects of my life. It is often sung in our congregations and as the Choir & Congregation hymn in General Conferences. So, by 6th grade, when band expectations were crushed and I looked forward to days of choirs in Junior High, I was fairly familiar with this hymn. It became more profound to me when my sister who made it into the prestigious PHS a cappella choir was singing the school alma mater--and it was to this hymn's tune. But my brothers told me it was the Junior High alma mater's tune as well. I made it into 7th grade choir and it was the first song we learned. So then when it would come up in church, Kiersten would quietly sing the words to the high school alma mater and I would quietly sing the junior high's. It was in no disrespect to the hymn. It was because we had taken to that fabulous tune and loved that it intersected in our spiritual and secular lives.

By 10th grade, I had made it into the prestigious a cappella choir and learned those words. I suppose something about memorizing the Jr High alma mater, and then the High School alma mater, within a year or so I had also memorized the hymn as well. What was another set of words? So this was one of the first hymns that I was consciously aware that I knew by memory. (Also one of the first I could play out of the regular hymnal.) Sometime by the end of high school or early college days, I paid attention to those words I had memorized--and they have come very close to my heart. A lover of temples and temple ordinances, verse 3 especially resonated. But a song about singing? And rejoicing? And our Savior coming again when we can "live in love and peace?" All sung to a tune that is all about praising, joy, and exultation--which tune had also come to have a meaning of honor, begun by my alma mater singing. I would have to say that this is one of my favorites. Even though it became one of the "oversung" in college, I chose instead of being annoyed to glory in the words I knew by heart and letting their meaning sink even more into my singing praises.

From the history book
I love this line: "What response other than song could so well reflect the emotions and gratitude of the followers of Jesus Christ?" Agreed!! The tune is a Spanish folk melody which many Christian denominations used in their hymnals. (Thus now surprising that m 2 alma maters were set to this tune; even more so when one knows that my Jr High choir director who wrote that alma mater was LDS for some years.) The tune was already well known when the text was written by Brother Wallis, first printed in 1884.

Lyrics

1. 1. Come, ye children of the Lord,
   Let us sing with one accord.
   Let us raise a joyful strain
   To our Lord who soon will reign
   On this earth when it shall be
   Cleansed from all iniquity,
   When all men from sin will cease,
   And will live in love and peace.
2. 2. Oh, how joyful it will be
   When our Savior we shall see!
   When in splendor he'll descend,
   Then all wickedness will end.
   Oh, what songs we then will sing
   To our Savior, Lord, and King!
   Oh, what love will then bear sway
   When our fears shall flee away!
3. 3. All arrayed in spotless white,
   We will dwell 'mid truth and light.
   We will sing the songs of praise;
   We will shout in joyous lays.
   Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
   Ev'ry living thing therein
   Shall in love and beauty dwell;
   Then with joy each heart will swell.Text: James H. Wallis, 1861-1940
4. Music: Spanish melody; arr. by Benjamin Carr, 1768-1831
5. 
   

And for those curious about my alma mater words.
PHS:

(And yes, the student body ALWAYS joined in on that last part like that. Even when we would "sing" it at church, our whole family liked to sing that line. And it is true. I will forever love PHS even if I only had one year. It was one of the best years of my life.)

JJHS:
Jackson Junior may you grow
For as we reap we needs must sow.
Jackson Junior proud and true
Your students love to strive for you.
So here we pledge our loyalty
Forever singing young and free
Jackson will make history
What e'er you ask
We give to thee!

LDS Hymn #27

Hymn #27 - Praise to the Man

In my opinion, this is one of the most fun songs to sing with its melody, constantly moving parts. I sometimes would get bored by the "chord-chord-chord" nature of most typical hymns. This is may be composed of chords, but it also has so much movement. And I love it! Of course, that credit cannot be given to the early Saints since it is based on a Scottish folk song (yay heritage!) and is one I often hear bagpipe bands play. Then again, the majority of bagpipe bands I listen to are here in Utah. I wonder if ones outside of Utah play this tune as much. Hmmmm... Well, whatever the case, I love this tune.

I also love the words. This hymn shows how we praise and honor Joseph Smith, but we do not worship him. We acknowledge what amazing things he did as an instrument in God's hands to restore the fulness of the Gospel, the priesthood keys, and enable salvation for the living and the dead. To have endured so much suffering and do so overall with an optimistic, upbeat attitude about life. His cheerful disposition. His love for people and life. His tireless work ethic. As a man, he was pretty amazing. And then to be the main instrument to help us--the world!--again fully access the Lord's Atonement and promised blessings of exaltation, my joy is great that Joseph the Prophet sacrificed so much for me and all of mankind. So I find the greatest joy in singing his praises with this song--in the most fun, upbeat way possible!

I am excited for this coming Sunday because this year the Primary (the children's organization) learned two of the verses to sing in their program. I actually was substituting as the Primary chorister during the month they were to learn it. Teaching it to them was interesting and hilarious. I always like to teach actions in songs to little kids, which the majority of our Primary is quite young. And we came up with the actions on the spot. Absolutely hilarious. I think the adult leaders' favorite was the action for "mingling with gods." I aim to please. :-)

Favorite line: "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." I remember a talk given on that and it really resonated with me.

From the history book
Another hymn by the talented William W. Phelps, a close friend of the Prophet Joseph--who had his own forgiveness story with him which has always touched me. Phelps wrote this to express grief and admiration for his lost prophet and friend. This song is described as having a "joyful sadness." Agreed. For it has always been a huge sorrow to me for how Joseph Smith died, yet it set him free from the mobs and hypocrites.

The second verse originally was more specific to where he was martyred, but in 1927 they changed the wording to fir the "good neighbor" policy of the Church. The original text was first printed in 1844. Though it was Brother Phelps hymn, the first verse seems to be based on Sir Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake. They think it was likely that in the early days of the hymn, it was sung to the "Hail to the Chief" tune, and moved to the current "Scotland the Brave" tune after they moved to Utah. And thank goodness for that!!!

Lyrics

1. 1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
   Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
   Blessed to open the last dispensation,
   Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
2. (Chorus]
   Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
   Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
   Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
   Death cannot conquer the hero again.
3. 2. Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;
   Honored and blest be his ever great name!
   Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
   Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.
4. 3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
   Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
   Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
   Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
5. 4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
   Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
   Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
   Millions shall know "Brother Joseph" again.
6. Text: William W. Phelps, 1792-1872
   Music: Scottish folk song

Gospel Message Day 80

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 13

Day 13 scripture - 1 Nephi 10: 4
Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

One of my favorite phrases ever: Savior of the world. Because He came to save each and every single person who will ever live on this earth. The. Whole. World. Is saved.

The dictionary defines a messiah as "a professed or accepted leader of some hope or cause." His cause? Our salvation. The hope? Eternal life.

This version shared because it's beautiful.

This version shared because of the pictures.

And this version because we sang it in our concert with an 11-year old soloist. And I get to sing it one more time tomorrow.

Song shared today because of the 3rd verse--I love it so much:
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Gospel Message Day 38

Exaltation, Part 4

To finish off with this topic, I thought I would talk a little about how ordinances alone will not guarantee exaltation. After we have received the ordinances mentioned yesterday, we then have to continue in obedience and faithfulness. Heavenly Father has given us commandments to obey, because obeying them prepares us to be ready to return to Him. It shows our willingness to sacrifice and align our will with His (since He knows what is best for us and what will help us grow the most). We prove our worthiness of exaltation by how we live this life.

The Gospel principles manual listed these as some of the things we are to do in life to receive exaltation in the life hereafter:

1. 1. 
   Love God and our neighbors.
2. 2. 
   Keep the commandments.
3. 3. 
   Repent of our wrongdoings.
4. 4. 
   Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.
5. 5. 
   Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
6. 6. 
   Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
7. 7. 
   Have family and individual prayers every day.
8. 8. 
   Teach the gospel to others by word and example.
9. 9. 
   Study the scriptures.
10. 10. 
    Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.

If one truly loves the Lord, then this list becomes not what we are supposed to do, but what we want to do. And it is what I want to do, and strive to do. I want to live with my Father again. There I will also be with His Son, my Redeemer. And I pray that my loved ones will one day be there with me too.

It's in my head right now, so here is a song I feel to share. Because I want to be fit "for the life above."

Lyrics

1. 1. Savior, Redeemer of my soul,
   Whose mighty hand hath made me whole,
   Whose wondrous pow'r hath raised me up
   And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
   What tongue my gratitude can tell,
   O gracious God of Israel.
2. 
   
3. 2. Never can I repay thee, Lord,
   But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
   Hath it not been my one delight,
   My joy by day, my dream by night?
   Then let my lips proclaim it still,
   And all my life reflect thy will.
   
   
4. 3. O'errule mine acts to serve thine ends.
5. Change frowning foes to smiling friends.

   Chasten my soul till I shall be

   In perfect harmony with thee.

   Make me more worthy of thy love,

   And fit me for the life above.
6. Text: Orson F. Whitney, 1855-1931

   Music: Harry A. Dean, 1892-1987. (c) 1948 IRI
7. 
   

Gospel Message Day 37

Exaltation, Part 3

For us to obtain exaltation, there are certain ordinances we must receive. To quote the Gospel principles manual:

1. 1. 
   We must be baptized.
2. 2. 
   We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. 3. 
   Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. 4. 
   We must receive the temple endowment.
5. 5. 
   We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next.

Just gotta say I love how that last part makes sure to include "in this life or the next." And that phrase applies for all the ordinances. Because as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that everyone has a chance to choose for themselves if they want to receive these ordinances, even those who died without knowing there was a choice to be made.

That is what we do in temples. We do vicarious ordinance work for those who have died. We are giving them a chance to have their own exaltation. That's what I did this morning. I went to the temple and performed one of those ordinances for a woman who was born in 1889. It seemed fitting to do service for the deceased on the day of the dead. Last time I was able to do that, I acted proxy for my great-grandmother and was sealed (ie., established the relationship for eternity) to her mother. It is a very sweet work to do when it is for my family--especially for a grandmother whom I knew and loved very much.

Exaltation for the living and the dead eventually has to have a part that takes place only in temples. It is no wonder that I find my greatest joy within temples, working towards my exaltation and however many of my Father's children that I can bring along the way.

Gospel Message Day 33

Exaltation

Whoa. That is what I picked for today? I don't even know where to begin! I suppose a definition is a good start. I was taught that exaltation is not just eternal life. Eternal life has been promised to all of Heavenly Father's children. Exaltation is getting to live with Heavenly Father again. I'm often asked what my greatest desires in life are. Most assume that they are marrying my best friend and having children. And yes, those are two of my greatest desires. However, they are 2nd and 3rd on my list. My first, greatest, and strongest desire is to return to my Heavenly Father in my own due time. I want to see Him again. I want to live with Him again. Of course, I want my husband and children to be there with me. But I don't know if those other two desires will be granted me in this life. But I can do all that's possible to try and achieve the first when this life is over. And what is required of me is that I keep my covenants and obey my Father's commandments.