My
patriarchal blessing tells me that my voice was heard singing praises to our
Heavenly Father ‘when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God
shouted for joy’ as we rejoiced about the Plan of Salvation.
I
have often wondered what it was that I was singing. Does ‘praises’ mean my individual
expression of gratitude or does it mean a set song that we all learnt and sang
in unison? The fact that the Lord told Job that we sang together would mean it
was a set song (Job 38:7). There is another indication that this might be correct.
We
are told in Doctrine and Covenants that the righteous will be gathered out from
among all nations and come to New Jerusalem singing songs of everlasting joy at
the onset of the Millenium (D&C 45:66-71). In particular, we are told we
shall sing a NEW song indicating that it will supposedly supersede the OLD song
we sang in pre-earth life (D&C 84:98-102).
Whereas
the old song we sang heralded our joy of journey’s beginning made possible by
Christ our Redeemer, the New Song will shout our grateful praise to Him who has
fulfilled all promises made to us so long ago.
This
song will be so powerful and edifying that ‘no music has yet been produced that
will compare with the music for this song’ (Smith, “Church History and Modern
Revelation, 1:345; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 185). Here are some
of the words of vs 98-102:
“The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people,
Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the
faith
And covenant of their fathers.
The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no
longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things
in one.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from
beneath.
For he stands in the midst of his
people.
Glory, and honour and power, and
might,
Be ascribed to our God, for he is
full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and
peace,
Forever and ever, Amen.
We
who will have begged the Saviour to come and had waited anxiously for His
return will sing praises to His name with inexpressible joy. We will rejoice
that we are at the threshold of the Millenial era of peace where our God and
our King will reign in our midst with righteousness, peace and glory. Get ready…..
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Second Coming by Jechoon Choi)
