Sabbath Song #2

15 August 2021

I had the signal honor of conducting the singing in sacrament service today, as our regular conductor was ill. There was little time to prepare, as she texted me last night to ask if I could do it, and then texted me the songs numbers early this morning. The four hymns were #252 (Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel), #177 ('Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love), #308 (Love One Another), and #81 (Press Forward Saints).

Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel is a rousing song, the lyrics and music both written by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909). Thompson was an American lyricist and composer who opened a publishing house as well as a music store. First published in The New Century Hymnal in 1904, PYSttW was republished by the LDS Church in 1909 in Deseret Sunday School Songs, and has been a Church standard ever since. The song has a special meaning for the LDS, as it evokes the struggles and triumphs of our pioneer heritage, which included the pushing of handcarts and driving oxen-pulled wagons across the Great Plains from Missouri to their new home in Utah.

'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love (text by George Manwaring, 1854-1889) is in the hymnal twice (#176 and #177), with different music. #176 is to Frank W. Asper's tune Meredith, in 3/4 time, while #177 uses Ebenezer Beezley's tune Hancock, in 6/4 time. I prefer the latter, as it sounds more lyrical, but it is longer, as it takes the 4th verse as a repeated chorus. The text is based on two sections from the Doctrine & Covenants (sec. 138:1-4, sec. 20:75.) On the third of October, in the year nineteen hundred and eighteen, I sat in my room pondering over the scriptures; and reflecting upon the great atoning sacrifice that was made by the Son of God, for the redemption of the world; and the great and wonderful love made manifest by the Father and the Son in the coming of the Redeemer into the world; that through his atonement, and by obedience to the principles of the gospel, mankind might be saved...It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus. The song also reminds me of another scripture verse, from 2 Nephi 31:21. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.

Love One Another (text and music by Luacine Clark Fox, 1914-2002) is a beloved LDS hymn, originally written as part of an Easter cantata. Sister Fox recounted how the song came to her:
“It is always my habit to pray before doing any writing or composing. This I did while in the process of working on Psalm of Easter, from which “Love One Another” is taken. In searching the scriptures, I came to the words of the Savior at the Last Supper wherein he gave his new commandment to love one another. I knew I had found the theme I wanted. As I jotted down the words in my notebook, taken from John 13:34–35, the melody to accompany them came into my mind, and I wrote it down as well. The final result of the words and music was exactly the same as had come to me initially, with no variation whatsoever. It is my witness that whatever is of worth in the song came from the Lord.”

Of the four, my favorite is Press Forward Saints.Written by Marvin K. Gardner (b. 1952), it is based on a verse from the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 31:20) Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting on the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. It is joyful, as well as reverent, in its exhortation to keep going, to keep striving to follow the Savior.

May you also find joy, not only in the music, but in the Spirit which comes to those who take the words to heart, who find good in all things, and who love and serve Jesus Christ.