The Music & the Spoken Word broadcast airs live via TV, radio, and internet stream on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Mountain time. For information on other airtimes, visit “Airing Schedules” at musicandthespokenword.org.

Music

Conductor: Mack Wilberg
Organist: Brian Mathias
Announcer: Lloyd Newell

“I Think the World Is Glorious”¹
Music: Alexander Schreiner
Lyrics: Anna Johnson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“If the Savior Stood Beside Me”¹
Music and Lyrics: Sally DeFord
Arrangement: Sam Cardon

“The Ash Grove” (Organ solo)
Music: Welsh melody
Arrangement: John Longhurst

“Where Love Is”²
Music: Joanne Bushman Doxey and Marjorie Castleton Kjar
Lyrics: Joanne Bushman Doxey and Norma B. Smith
Arrangement: Sam Cardon

“May We Be More Like Thee”
Music: Mack Wilberg
Lyrics: Lloyd Newell

“Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Music: John Hughes
Lyrics: William Williams
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

The Spoken Word

The Way, the Truth, the Life

When we look at an acorn, we see more than an acorn. We know its potential to become a mighty oak tree and start producing acorns itself. It doesn’t bother us that this process can take decades or that growth is slow, almost imperceptible. We know that an acorn is not meant to remain an acorn.

When we look at a human life—including our own—what do we see? Life is not just about getting older. None of us is meant to remain forever the way we are now. Like the acorn, we are meant to become something greater. We were created for growth, improvement, and progression. And for that reason, we have an innate longing to reach for something higher.

Of course, it can take us time to develop into our best self, the person who we truly want to be. We make mistakes along the way; we confront uncertainties and ambiguities. We experience both fear and faith, joy and heartache, belief and unbelief. We’re a lot like the tearful father who said to Jesus, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). But this shouldn’t discourage us, because authentic growth comes best when we, like that father, admit what we lack and seek heaven’s help.

Yes, life is a long walk on a long road, but it helps to have a vision of where that road leads. Pondering the purpose of life, reading holy words, and obeying divine law can provide that vision and guide our course. Learning from the lives of exemplary men and women can help us along the path.

Ultimately, there is One to whom we can look—One whom we can trust with our whole hearts. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He shows us the way of kindness, forgiveness, courage, and compassion. He offers us the truth about who we are and why we are here. He promises us an abundant life—not just life here on earth, but life everlasting with Him. This is what we were created for—to become, in process of time, more like Him.

That’s the way, the truth, and the life. And so, remembering what a miracle it is for something as small as an acorn to grow into something as great as an oak tree, we offer the Lord this heartfelt plea: “May we be more like Thee.”