#274 "The Iron Rod"

I remember singing this song in my youth, but something that happened at the Alhambra Ward Early Morning Seminary class during my senior year sticks with me.  We were studying Lehi's Dream in 1 Nephi 8 and President Teddy M. Waters (East Los Angeles Stake President and my seminary teacher) asked what the iron rod represented.  I raised my hand and answered "the word of God".  He was impressed and asked how I knew that since we hadn't read the interpretation of Lehi's Dream yet.  I replied, "Because of the song about the iron rod.  It says 'the iron rod is the word of God'."  Thanks to this hymn,  I knew the answer!

I like the tune and words to this hymn.  I especially like it when congregations sings all five verses so that the full message is presented and sung.

As a side note, I have been collecting pictures from the Ensign magazine since 1996 about Lehi's Dream.  I have a notebook with all I've collected.  So far, there are about 30 different pictures by LDS artists in my collection!

#273 "Truth Reflects upon Our Senses"

This hymn has a very nice message about not judging others.  I've always liked the thoughtful message and the tune that goes with it.  It is easy to play and sing, too!

#272 "Oh, Say, What Is Truth?"

I first remember singing this hymn when I attended my cousin's (Dennis Benton) missionary farewell in the Santa Susana/Simi Valley area.  It was a hymn that I don't recall singing prior to attending his sacrament meeting.  I remember liking the words and the tune.  I've used this hymn a few times in our ward for the congregation.

#271 "Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love"

I didn't realize the meaning of this hymn until I read all five verses in the 1985 hymnal.  With General Conference coming up in just a little over a week, I realize that our belief in continuing revelation is central to our creed.  The "holy words" refer to the scriptures of old, and the new messages from our prophet and other church leaders.

This hymn first appeared in the 1892 Deseret Sunday School Song Book, and I could tell by the tune that it was from that time period.  The tune is okay, but the message (to me) deserves a better tune.  (Hey, this is my blog, so I can state my opinion!)

#270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"

The Oak Hills Ward has had up to as many as eight missionaries out at one time during the past two years and this hymn was sung at each of their farewells.  Larice Music has an arrangement of this hymn in their series "Hymns of Worship, vol. 6".  I haven't used it yet, but it's nice to have as a resource.

#269 "Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth"

I like the tune of this hymn.  The words in the 1985 LDS hymnal are different from the standard Protestant hymn that begins with "All hail the power of Jesus' name!  Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all."
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment for this hymn.

#268 "Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted"

This hymn title was changed from the 1950 hymnal.  The old title, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains", didn't explain the true message of the hymn.  I don't remember ever singing or playing this hymn before today.  I was surprised that there is a footnote stating that it was included in the original 1835 hymnal.  Apparently, other Christian denominations have been singing it for years, too.  The 1985 edition has put the third verse as the first verse and eliminated the second verse.  A few other word changes were made, too.  It was easy to play.  It would make a nice song for a missionary farewell.