We'll sing and we'll shout

The Hymns have always had a special place in my heart.

Think back to your favorite primary programs. You know the little girl on the back row singing louder than every other child on the stand? Not the one that makes you giggle because she's out of tune or because she does't know the words. The one that is actually doing a decent job and loooooving every minute of it? That was me. Now it's my sister. We don't plan to change any time soon.

I have always loved to sing and I especially love to harmonize. My mom and sister and I sing and play in the car. One of my favorite parts of both High school and University choir has been learning the songs of praise. More recently a few of my favorite hymns have become even more meaningful to me and today I plan to write about why. 

First up, a forever Anderson+Sonoda family favorite. 

• I Know That My Redeemer Lives. 

Forever a Family favorite. Especially since my BFF Erika came to stay with us from Japan a few years ago and learned it. She sang it again to me when we went to visit her in Japan. We sang it again together just this year when she came to visit again. That song fills her with a feeling of happiness she cannot even describe. Hearing it in Japanese sets my soul on fire. 

When we learned this song in primary, we were split into groups. "My verse" was verse 3. An excellent choice and dear to my heart. More recently however, verse 2 has pushed my primary verse out of the spotlight. 

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

Ya know who feels faint a whole awful lot? This girl. Ya know who has a lot of fears? Whoop, me

again. I have shed quite a few tears. I have a real-deal, medically diagnosed, troubled heart. But He lives. He grants me rich supply, he 

guides me because His eyes will always be better than mine. He has so many blessings to impart. I

know that my body doesn't have a chance to ever be one to run and not be weary. But because of Him

I can trust that I can walk, and He will comfort me when faint. 

• How Firm a Foundation.

Why do they teach us songs in primary but not teach us all the verses? This is another one that I had

to learn the other verses on my own. This song was my China song. When I was feeling nervous or

sick or scared or lonely when I was in China, I listened to this song on repeat. I would be praying for

strength and peace and have this song pop into my mind. Once again, I love all the verses, but verse 2

in particular speaks to my soul. 

2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,

In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

I was sick, I was abroad, and my days sometimes just felt a little too demanding. But it didn't stop at verse 2

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

I was scared. I was lonely. But I was not alone. I was upheld by his righteous omnipotent hand. I can do hard things. I can do scary things. I can look back and remember that some things are hard and some things are scary and be grateful for the lessons I learned and the experiences I had.

4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

Sometimes it feels like we are being punished. Sometimes it feels like life is crumpling around us.These verses were not specific to China, but just for life. Sometimes becoming hurts. It’s scary tobe refined. Sometimes I can’t see how everything could possibly turn out well when it feels like allmy plans are falling to pieces around me. I can only wait and have hope that He can sanctify mydistress. I’m still waiting. I’m still hoping.

·         The Spirit of God

Another forever favorite. In light of recent events, verse 3 has been on my mind as of late.

3. We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit,

To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,

That we through our faith may begin to inherit

The visions and blessings and glories of God.

“Solemn assemblies are used for three purposes: the dedication of temples, special instruction to priesthood leaders, and sustaining a new President of the Church.” 

-Elder David B. Haight. October 1994.

We recently had the sustaining of a new prophet. To say it the way my mission prep teacher

does, “There’s a new sheriff in town and he is not sitting still.” President Nelson has already made many big, historic announcements. He is spreading forth the kingdom of Heaven abroad. I for one am so grateful that I have an opportunity to watch this new era unfold. I cannot wait to see what happens next.