Since Sunday, I have been pondering a lot about some things that were said, and songs that were sung. It was a testimony meeting, and I was in Logan, UT attending church with my son and his wife, and my first grandchild. My wife and stepson flew in from KC, and my stepdaughter drove down from Rexburg. His aunt even flew in from Seattle. It was wonderful meeting with the naming and blessing of my grands llvson.
Back to what I wanted to write. As it was a testimony meeting, after the administration of the sacrament, the meeting is turned over to members of the congregation to stand and share their testimony of Christ. One stood up and spoke of his testimony, and how music can help people to feel the Spirit of God. He spoke in particular of a song written by James E Faust, a late member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The song "This is the Christ" is a powerful song of testimony, and brings a testimony of Christ to all who are seeking him. I have often felt that music is one of the greatest conveyors of the Spirit there is. It opens the heart to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost.
I have always loved singing. I have always felt the witness of truth and have made the song's words my own, and my testimony to all who would hear. When I started with the Mormon Chorale, singing with such wonderful people back in Kansas City, I learned the importance of sharing testimony through not just the words, but to let people hearing you see the witness in your eyes. I also spend some time studying the text of the song, to understand it.
In Logan, we sang to prepare for the Sacrament the hymn "O God, the Eternal Father" #175 LDS Hymnal. Here is the text.
O God the Eternal Father, who dwells amid the sky
In Jesus name we ask thee to bless and sanctify
If we are pure before thee, this bread and cup of wine
That we may all remember that offering divine
That sacred holy offering, by man least understood
To have our sins remitted, and take his flesh and blood
That we may ever witness, the suff'ring of thy Son
And always have his Spirit, to make our hearts as one
When Jesus, the Anointed, descended from above
And gave himself a ransom to win our souls with love
With no apparent beauty, that man should him desire
He was the promised Savior, to purify with fire.
How infinite that wisdom, the plan of holiness
That made salvation perfect and veiled the Lord in flesh
To walk upon his footstool, and be like man, almost
In his exalted station, and die, or all was lost.
This song was written by W.W. Phelps and published in the first Hymnbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in 1835. I wonder how many people read the hymns as they sing them, to understand the message. To me, this hymn speaks volumes of the Plan that God gave us, the love that He has for us. To allow His son to offer himself a sacrifice. While words can't truly describe this love, this song does a good job of it.
I know that God lives. I know that He has a plan for each of us, and that while we may suffer in our lifetime, that suffering is but a moment to eternity, He comforts us, He knows these pains. Whether the pain is physical or mental, or the spiritual pain of unrepentant sin, if we go to Him, He will comfort us in these, he will remove the burden of sin, if we repent. He is our Redeemer, He is our Savior, He is the Messiah, the Anointed One. He overcame death so that we may also, through him.
Back to what I wanted to write. As it was a testimony meeting, after the administration of the sacrament, the meeting is turned over to members of the congregation to stand and share their testimony of Christ. One stood up and spoke of his testimony, and how music can help people to feel the Spirit of God. He spoke in particular of a song written by James E Faust, a late member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The song "This is the Christ" is a powerful song of testimony, and brings a testimony of Christ to all who are seeking him. I have often felt that music is one of the greatest conveyors of the Spirit there is. It opens the heart to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost.
I have always loved singing. I have always felt the witness of truth and have made the song's words my own, and my testimony to all who would hear. When I started with the Mormon Chorale, singing with such wonderful people back in Kansas City, I learned the importance of sharing testimony through not just the words, but to let people hearing you see the witness in your eyes. I also spend some time studying the text of the song, to understand it.
In Logan, we sang to prepare for the Sacrament the hymn "O God, the Eternal Father" #175 LDS Hymnal. Here is the text.
O God the Eternal Father, who dwells amid the sky
In Jesus name we ask thee to bless and sanctify
If we are pure before thee, this bread and cup of wine
That we may all remember that offering divine
That sacred holy offering, by man least understood
To have our sins remitted, and take his flesh and blood
That we may ever witness, the suff'ring of thy Son
And always have his Spirit, to make our hearts as one
When Jesus, the Anointed, descended from above
And gave himself a ransom to win our souls with love
With no apparent beauty, that man should him desire
He was the promised Savior, to purify with fire.
How infinite that wisdom, the plan of holiness
That made salvation perfect and veiled the Lord in flesh
To walk upon his footstool, and be like man, almost
In his exalted station, and die, or all was lost.
This song was written by W.W. Phelps and published in the first Hymnbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in 1835. I wonder how many people read the hymns as they sing them, to understand the message. To me, this hymn speaks volumes of the Plan that God gave us, the love that He has for us. To allow His son to offer himself a sacrifice. While words can't truly describe this love, this song does a good job of it.
I know that God lives. I know that He has a plan for each of us, and that while we may suffer in our lifetime, that suffering is but a moment to eternity, He comforts us, He knows these pains. Whether the pain is physical or mental, or the spiritual pain of unrepentant sin, if we go to Him, He will comfort us in these, he will remove the burden of sin, if we repent. He is our Redeemer, He is our Savior, He is the Messiah, the Anointed One. He overcame death so that we may also, through him.
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