While many of us have a favorite hymn from the beautifully inspired hymns of praise that have touched our hearts and brought tears to our eyes, The Songs of Zion are unique to our Church. They are songs that belong to a new time; they belong to a new era; they belong to our people. They are songs sent from the throne of God as a gift to The Church of Jesus Christ. They are inspirational and related to Christ and His promises of the latter-day times and events. This gift was given to our late Sister Arlene Buffington, as our songs of hope and joy, looking forward to the fulfillment of the kingdom of Zion, bathed in the latter-day glory of the restoration.

Today I’d like to look at No. 140. “Oh, Say Can You See It?” by looking at the meaning and application of the song, because it’s too easy to sing without paying attention to the words and their meaning.

140. OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE IT?

VERSE 1
Out of the wilderness, into the clearing, 
And into a much brighter day;
And out of the shadows and into the sunshine, 
The blind man said, “Show me the way!”

VERSE 2
The blind man had waited to ask this one question, 
“How tall will the mountains there be?”
And if I would lead him along till we got there, 
Then he could see Zion like me.

VERSE 3
How blessed the story, the latter day glory, 
The kingdom of Christ here on earth;
How blessed the feet that have carried the message, 
Proclaiming the day of its birth.

VERSE 4
So many once blinded have reached out to find it, 
And shouted with joy all the way;
And reaching out to it, they walked right on thru it, 
Their blindness was taken away.

CHORUS
“Oh, say, can you see it, and sir, could I feel it? 
My eyes have been blind for so long.
I’ve heard all about it, this beautiful city, 
My yearning to touch it is strong.”

©2006 Arlene Lea Buffington

I recently had a conversation with a Christian man about reading scripture. He said he preferred the King James Version (KJV), even though it’s sometimes hard to get through the “thee and thous.” I honestly had to agree with him but noted that the Lord had revealed to our church that we should use the KJV, and I personally enjoy looking up the Hebrew translations (from the Old Testament) and Greek translations (from the New Testament). He agreed and said he enjoyed doing the same because it helps to give a deeper understanding. He then went on to say that he prefers not to read the many interpretations offered by Bible scholars. Instead, he would rather read the Word and allow the Holy Ghost to help him understand its meaning. Again, in general, I agreed.

While we should all rely on the Holy Ghost to lead, guide, direct, and inspire our lives (even when reading the Bible and Book of Mormon), we also need to recognize that there are times when we need guidance and help along the way. Consider the account in the Book of Acts, chapter 8, where an angel directed Philip to travel a certain road. There he encountered an Ethiopian man reading from the writings of Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. (It is no surprise that even in Jesus’ day, people struggled to understand the writings of Isaiah.) The man responded with honesty and said, “… How can I [understand], except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31).

While there are many Bible translations and scholars offering various interpretations, many of those interpretations are formed without the additional perspective and benefit provided by the Book of Mormon.

We know the Book of Mormon supports the doctrine of Jesus Christ in every way and that sadly, some of the plain and precious parts were removed from the Bible (1 Nephi 13) but it also provides greater understanding regarding the latter-day work among the descendants of Joseph, the gathering of Israel, and the peaceful reign of Zion. It further clarifies subjects such as infant baptism, ordinances, paid ministry, life after death, and the resurrection.

This song references Isaiah 35:5: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened…” But if you Google this verse, you’ll get an AI Overview that suggests:

“It is a prophetic verse symbolizing God’s ultimate power to bring physical, spiritual, and environmental restoration to a broken world.“

AI then offers three interpretations of “how the verse is traditionally understood”:

1. Messianic Fulfillment: In Christian theology, this verse is viewed as a direct prophecy fulfilled by Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus points to His miraculous healings of the blind and deaf as proof that He is the long-awaited Messiah. 
2. Spiritual Awakening: Beyond physical healing, the verse serves as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. It represents God opening the “blind” eyes of people who are ignorant of His ways, and unstopping the “deaf” ears of those who previously could not or would not hear His word.
3. Complete Restoration: Located in a chapter about the desert blooming and making a safe “Way of Holiness,” the verse highlights the reversal of human suffering and natural decay. It points to a time of complete wholeness and joy for God’s people. 

AI then offers multiple references and commentaries for further historical and literary context.

Interestingly, these three interpretations are not incorrect. What they lack, however, is the additional clarity provided by the Book of Mormon. 

Yes, Isaiah’s words symbolize God’s power to bring physical, spiritual, and environmental restoration to a broken world. But they do not fully explain how this restoration will be accomplished. How will the restoration of Israel come about? How will Zion be established? And will these promises be fulfilled in the flesh on earth?

These questions are answered more completely when the writings of Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets are read alongside the Book of Mormon. Together they paint a clearer picture of the Lord’s latter-day work, a picture that is strengthened throughout many of the Songs of Zion, including this one.

The verses of this hymn describe those who have been blinded by a lack of understanding, yet who long for a clearer vision. One day, many will declare, as the chorus expresses: “Oh, say, can you see it, and sir, could I feel it? My eyes have been blind for so long. I’ve heard all about it, this beautiful city; my yearning to touch it is strong.”

Our hope and expectation is that many will accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah, follow His commandments, and build the kingdom of Zion, whether they are Gentile or Israelite. This hope is reflected in Ether 13:8: “Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph [indigenous peoples of America] shall be built upon this land [America]; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city [Zion] unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded [blindness will be removed], until the end come when the earth shall pass away.”

In this promise, we see not only the establishment of Zion, but in order to do so, the removal of spiritual blindness must occur as God’s purposes are fulfilled in the latter days.

May God bless you. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the Songs of Zion, listening to the Songs or downloading them, here’s a link to the church website: Church Songs and Music