Today in Church, we sang the Hymn “O My Father”, a hymn I have sung many times before. However, I never took the time to read and ponder the lyrics. I did so today and felt the spirit strongly. I think the lyrics could be my favorite of all our Hymns .
Lyrics for “O My Father”, LDS Hymnal #292, Eliza R. Snow
- O my Father, thou that dwellest
- In the high and glorious place,
- When shall I regain thy presence
- And again behold thy face?
- In thy holy habitation,
- Did my spirit once reside?
- In my first primeval childhood
- Was I nurtured near thy side?
- For a wise and glorious purpose
- Thou hast placed me here on earth
- And withheld the recollection
- Of my former friends and birth;
- Yet ofttimes a secret something
- Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
- And I felt that I had wandered
- From a more exalted sphere.
- I had learned to call thee Father,
- Thru thy Spirit from on high,
- But, until the key of knowledge
- Was restored, I knew not why.
- In the heav’ns are parents single?
- No, the thought makes reason stare!
- Truth is reason; truth eternal
- Tells me I’ve a mother there.
- When I leave this frail existence,
- When I lay this mortal by,
- Father, Mother, may I meet you
- In your royal courts on high?
- Then, at length, when I’ve completed
- All you sent me forth to do,
- With your mutual approbation
- Let me come and dwell with you.
The personal feeling and conviction in the hymn is inspiring. It also sends me into deep thoughts and ponderings as it is one of the few published works by the LDS Church that refers to a Heavenly Mother, a belief that I whole heartedly subscribe to. Here is the wikipedia entry for this hymn.
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