Thought of the Sunday 26

Since I am very musically inclined, I tend to get one question fairly often: what is my favorite hymn?  My favorite hymn is one that no one knows.  Seriously, no one has ever sung it.  I have never heard it sung except by my own voice.  It is hymn 120, Lean on My Ample Arm.  If you want powerful hymn lyrics about the power of the Atonement here they are:

Lean on my ample arm,

O thou depressed!

And I will bid the storm

Cease in thy breast.

Whate'er thy lot may be

On life's complaining sea,

If thou wilt come to me,

Thou shalt have rest.

If thou wilt come to me,

Thou shalt have rest.

 

Lift up thy tearful eyes,

Sad heart, to me;

I am the sacrifice

Offered for thee.

In me thy pain shall cease,

In me is thy release,

In me thou shalt have peace

Eternally.

In me thou shalt have peace

Eternally.

 

I love this hymn.  There are few hymns where the lyrics express the words directly from the Savior.  They are a comfort to me in all times.  He knows that I will cry, that I will be sad, but he has prepared a way for us to overcome that sadness and despair.  He says that whatever you are experiencing in this life, if we come to him we will have rest.  What greater promise is there than eternal peace?  We can trust him and rely on his words.  We can lean on him in all things and that knowledge helps me through this earth life.  The music of the hymn also uses great word painting and is beautiful.  

 

Additionally, in our hymnal there are scriptures associated with the hymns.  The scriptures are also among my favorites:

 

Matthew 11:28-30

               Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

               Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls

                For my yoke is easy and my burden is light

3 Nephi 9:14

               Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.  Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.  

 

So I say, come, friends, to the Savior and believe in him.  Use the Atonement to overcome your sorrows and you will be blessed with the blessings that our loving Heavenly Father is waiting to give you.