In the brief chapter of 2 Nephi 22, the prophet encourages us to “Sing unto the Lord: for he hath done excellent things” (verse 5). Singing to the Lord is a large part of our worship of God. We have quite a diversity of hymns available to us, enough to express almost anything we might want to say regarding our relationship with God.

To illustrate this diversity, I gathered the titles of about 70 of our hymns and fashioned them into something that sounds a lot like my personal testimony. Here it is:

I was first brought to OUR CHURCH when I was LIKE A CHILD. I’m thankful that I had someone to TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS. I didn’t like the part when Jesus was AT THE CROSS, but I was happy to hear that CHRIST AROSE and that HE LIVES today. Although I was still TOO SMALL FOR GREAT THINGS, I did TAKE SOME TIME TO PRAY that I would eventually find MY PLACE in the church. In my teenage years, I can’t say that I was always LONGING FOR THE GATHERING on Sunday, but I did my best to BE OF GOOD CHEER and do it GOD’S WAY for at least that one day of the week.

Finally, the day arrived when THE INVITATION finally penetrated — IS ANYONE WILLING TO LET JESUS IN? My first thought was that I needed to be MORE LIKE THE MASTER before being baptized, but then I prayed, “GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING, LORD,” and I realized that I could come JUST AS I AM. At that moment, HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL. I said, “I SURRENDER ALL,” and HE HELD HIS ARMS AND I RAN IN. O HAPPY DAY! There’s A NEW NAME IN GLORY, and it’s mine. BLESSED BE THE NAME of the Lord!

As time passed, I came to appreciate that, SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART, HE CHANGED MY LIFE COMPLETELY, and I was developing A HIGHER SPIRITUAL MIND. As I was now LIVING FOR JESUS, I did my best to put other activities SECOND TO GOD. I learned more about JESUS, MY WONDERFUL FRIEND — and WHAT A FRIEND He is! BECAUSE HE LIVES, because JESUS IS ALWAYS THERE, I am NEVER ALONE.

I was feeling that I OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING FOR JESUS, if for no other reason than to say, “THANK YOU LORD.” I understood that THERE’S NOT ANYTHING THAT JESUS CANNOT DO Himself, so it’s not that He needs me (rather, I NEED JESUS) but I still wanted to do my little part to bring JOY TO THE WORLD and BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE, so I asked Him to MAKE ME A BLESSING to others.

Today, as a minister of THE GOSPEL RESTORED, I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY of how JESUS SAVES. Whenever I am to stand before a congregation, my prayer is “SPEAK MY LORD,” and the result is WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE that come from Him. WE’VE A STORY TO TELL TO THE NATIONS, so IF JESUS GOES WITH ME, I’m READY to go WHERE HE LEADS ME — I know that HE’LL TAKE CARE OF ME and I won’t be ALONE.

My advice to those who have not yet experienced His AMAZING GRACE: CHOOSE YE THIS DAY who you will serve. Salvation is free since JESUS PAID IT ALL. THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD of Christ, so make sure you can answer yes when asked, “ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD of Jesus?” That’s the only way to prepare for what comes after THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY of this life — you’ll hear your name WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER and THEN YOU CAN ENTER IN.

To those who are already serving the Lord: DON’T LET ANYBODY TAKE YOUR CROWN. GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO MASTER. Serving God is SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY, so COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS and hang onto those PRECIOUS MEMORIES. When opposition comes, YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION — remember that GOD’S STILL ON HIS THRONE and GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. IF YOU WOULD LABOR IN ZION (especially YE WHO ARE CALLED TO LABOR), get TO THE WORK!

GOD BE WITH YOU.

Dare to Share Verse of the Day

Psalm 107:8-9 – Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.