An Old Song

When I was a kid, primary was not on Sunday. It was held every Wednesday, right after school. I’d walk from E.M. Whitesides Elementary. Pass Elm Street, where my house was. Then enter the ward building. It was literally in my backyard. About a 20 minute walk, if I didn’t diddle-daddle.

I loved our primary songs. Today’s modern songs have left those of my childhood in the dustbin of history. That’s sad.

One Wednesday afternoon, the primary chorister introduced us to a new song. Thinking of it now brings sweet tears to my eyes. For several weeks, we practiced and practiced until we all knew it by heart. At the time, I didn’t really understand the meaning of its words. I knew it meant something beautiful. Even if I didn’t fully comprehend the content, the music itself spoke reverence and awe to my soul.

Finally, I am an adult. Now, both the lyrics and the melody resonate with eloquence. Here are the gorgeous words from this primary song of my youth.

There is a green hill far away,

Without a city wall,

Where the dear Lord was crucified,

Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,

What pains he had to bear,

But we believe it was for us

He hung and suffered there.

There was no other good enough

To pay the price of sin.

He only could unlock the gate

Of heav’n and let us in.

Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!

And we must love him too,

And trust in his redeeming blood,

And try his works to do.

A gorgeous song, with a gorgeous message. Beauty intense enough to trickle tears into my eyes.

A New Song

Over the past couple of years, I have learned another song of beauty. It’s not taught by primary choristers or priesthood instructors. Nope. Today, it’s only being taught by Jesus Christ. Prominently and proudly proclaimed in the scriptures of the restoration. Seemingly hidden in plain sight.

It’s a gorgeous song, with a gorgeous message. Beauty intense enough to trickle tears into my eyes. Both the lyrics and the melody resonate with eloquence.

Of course, I’m speaking of the song of redeeming consent. Jesus called it common consent. It pierces me to the core that God himself values my opinion. He esteems my thoughts so much that he asks me to openly express them several times every year. He has empowered me…..and you. I’m just a lowly person-of-the-pews. But, He is counting on me to sing the song of common consent as he has so kindly mandated me to do.