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’s focus is No. 228, “Come Before Winter.” We’ll look at the meaning and application of the song, because it’s too easy to sing without paying attention to the words and their meaning.

228. COME BEFORE WINTER

VERSE 1

Come before winter while summer wears on. 

Come before bridges and highways are gone. 

Come before traveling comes to an end. 

Come before winter, my friend. Come before winter, my friend.

VERSE 2

Come before winter and come before spring. 

Come while the birds in the branches still sing. 

Heed when the trumpets send out the alarm.

Come before winter comes on. Come before winter comes on.

VERSE 3

Come before winter, a place is prepared,

Heaven’s own blessings on earth there are shared,

Come Zion’s children, there’s no need to fear.

Come before winter is here. Come before winter is here.

VERSE 4

Come before winter, the trumpets resound,

A land beyond measure, the Lord, He has found,

And He is parting the rivers for thee.

Come before winter and see. Come before winter and see.

©2016 Arlene Lea Buffington

Did you know that an online encyclopedia defines “winter” as “the coldest and darkest season of the year in polar and temperate climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth’s axis [at an angle of 23.44°] causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun.”

Those who live or have lived in a colder climate know the truth of this definition, as winter can present some VERY challenging conditions: freezing cold nights, dark days (due to cloud cover) and, of course, snow accumulation that offers its own set of challenges. I’ll also give a shout-out to the positive things about the winter season: the many great outdoor activities and even the natural benefits — but in the end, the definition of winter remains the same: it is the coldest and darkest season!

Did you also know that the Apostle Paul warned Timothy in his writings to “Do thy diligence to come before winter…” (2 Timothy 4:21)? Paul knew that travel during the winter season, even in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey) where Timothy was shepherding a flock, could be difficult. And like any father giving advice to his son, he encouraged him to use diligence. Now, in Greek, which is the language the New Testament was written in, “diligence” translates to: “use speed and make every effort to be prompt and/or earnest.”

So, let’s reimagine what Paul wrote, by taking some liberties with some defined substitutions in modern-day vernacular. It might have gone something like this: 

Tim, I’d really like you to come visit me, the sooner the better. Listen, I know how easy it is to get distracted, so stay focused and make your plans before travel gets more dangerous in the winter months.

Well, what does all this have to do with No. 228, “Come Before Winter”? I’ll give you a few perspectives or thoughts to ponder:

First: A number of years ago, when I was visiting the church in Nigeria, a choir sang a simple hymn with a chorus that went something like this: “Come, Come to Jesus, for tomorrow, you never know.” It encouraged those who had not yet repented of their sins, to do so NOW, because there is no guarantee about tomorrow!

Second: This song encourages those who have an understanding of the latter-day prophecies (the gathering of Israel and the building of Zion) to realize that before SPRING (before Zion is built), WINTER comes. “But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles—yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land [of America] and those who shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations—And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake, and with a great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire.” (2 Nephi 27:1-2)

While troubling to imagine and even fully comprehend, there is a time of travail (destruction) necessary to cleanse the land before Zion can be established. This is why we pray that men and women might turn away from their wicked and sinful ways and COME to Jesus, because if they don’t, WINTER will COME, and God will fulfill every promise and prophecy! 

We rest with the understanding that “the righteous need not fear” (1 Nephi 22:17), but let us each renew our desire and prepare with determination to uphold the standards of Christ by being a light in a darkening world.

May God bless you.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Songs of Zion, or just listening to the Songs, here’s a link to the Songs of Zion website: https://thesongsofzion.com/

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.