Finding Courage and Hope in Music
When you need to be uplifted and to keep moving forward despite difficulties in life and conditions in the world, what music gives you courage and hope? For many of us, music helps us deal with the emotional highs and lows we experience each day. Music has been called “therapy for the soul.” What music do you seek during challenging times?
The music of The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square can provide that inspiration so needed in today’s world. It has the power to help people feel closer to the divine and to help them feel the love God has for all His children. When you need courage and hope, you can find it in the words and music of songs like “Come, Come Ye Saints,” “How Firm a Foundation,” “Let Us All Press On,” “Press Forward Saints,” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Here is some detail about this first inspiring song followed by links to the others to help you on your way.
“Come, Come Ye Saints” is a favorite hymn about courage and faith that is often sung in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—usually to celebrate the Latter-day Saint pioneers. It is also found in the hymnbooks of many other churches because of its uplifting theme. The hymn was written in 1846 by William Clayton after persecutions sent members of the Church fleeing their homes. It was sung by thousands of pioneers as an expression of faith and courage as they humbly trekked across the western United States searching for peace.
It is also a song of encouragement for today.
We are iving in a troubled world with a pandemic, social distancing, business transacted in home offices; and children experiencing the challenges of schooling from home. Everyone seems to be struggling with the hard realities in our world today.
Ponder the encouraging words of the first two verses of this hymn which affirm that we don’t need to fear hard experiences in our lives. We can meet hard challenges and go forward with “fresh courage” because our faith confirms, “Our God will never us forsake.” The hymn ends with the promise “And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is well!”
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor 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!
Enjoy the music and messages of these other inspiring hymns: