23

As many of you who I actually speak to know, I have a friend coming home from his mission in 23 days. I promise, I had to look it up to remember. With those remaining twenty-three days I propose to find new meaning every day in something that I had previously not noticed.

23. The hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints" was explained in Relief Society in a way that opened my eyes to the meaning of this hymn. Instead of viewing it as a hymn of perseverance for the early Saints, think of it as a beckoning call. Those pioneers are speaking to us through this hymn, encouraging us to endure our trials of life as we strive to become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil or labor fear;

But with joy wend your way.

Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day.

'Tis better far for us to strive

Our useless cares from us to drive;

Do this and joy your hearts will swell —

All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?

'Tis not so; all is right.

Why should we think to earn a great reward

If we now shun the fight?

Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.

Our God will never us forsake;

And soon we'll have this tale to tell —

All is well! All is well!

We'll find the place which God for us prepared,

Far away in the West.

Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;

There the Saints will be blessed.

We'll make the air with music ring,

Shout praises to our God and King;

Above the rest these words we'll tell —

All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey's through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!

But if our lives are spared again

To see the Saints their rest obtain;

Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell —

All is well! All is well!