Here is a spiritual message that i was blessed to have received-
"Last night (Saturday, April 5) in the Priesthood Session of the Mormon (LDS) Conference, Elder Henry B. Eyring was speaking (among other things) about how the Lord will strengthen you and uphold you as you serve Him. He talked about how when you do the Lords work you qualify for the Lords blessings. Then he specifically mentioned that as you serve, angels will support you. During this time he got a little choked up, and you could tell there was context behind those words.A few weeks ago when Elder Eyring was at home, he suddenly found himself waking up on the floor, with his leg twisted under him. He went to work, but soon realized he needed to have his leg checked. When he did, he found out it was broken (which is why he's currently using a cane, in case you wondered).But then as the days went by, he continued to have times where he'd suddenly lose consciousness and he felt very weak. He was frustrated because he felt helpless. Newly appointed as the First Counselor to President Monson, he just wanted to serve. He got in to see the doctor, and had some tests done, and went back to work. Soon the results came in, and the doctor told him he had to come back to the hospital immediately.Come to find out, his heart would periodically just stop. So last Tuesday, he had a pacemaker put in. Last Tuesday. I don't know if you've known anyone who's had that happen, but it's a serious surgery, with an extended recovery time.He got a blessing from President Monson, wherein he was told that angels would support him. The next day - Wednesday, he attended the meeting with the General Authorities in the temple. Thursday, he participated in the General Authority training. Then today (Saturday), he stood up, looking as magnified and healthy as ever, and delivered a powerful address on trusting in God as you serve with all your heart.He's living testimony of his own words (as he so testified).Nephi said it well, when he said (1 Nephi 1:20): 'I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.' How marvelous it is to be led by men of such faith, of such commitment, and of such stature."-Thanks Heather!
Thankyou Heather for your email, I am really astounded at the marvels of our Savior. How tender are his workings among us. This hymn was performed at the funeral of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. It is special how the hymn came to pass. I would like to share the story.
The Story Behind the Hymn
“What Is This Thing That Men Call Death?”
By Janice Kapp Perry
"During President Hinckley’s funeral the Tabernacle Choir sang a hymn text written by President Hinckley which I
set to music in December. I would like to share with you the story of how it came to be:
About two months before my niece Kathy Blacker died, on January 11, 2008, she found a three-verse poem by President
Hinckley among her files. Although she was resigned to dying, she had some fears about the dying process and
his words greatly comforted her, especially the second verse which described exactly what she was feeling. She wrote
to President Hinckley’s office to ask permission to have the poem printed on her funeral program, and she received
a very nice letter from his secretary, Don H. Staheli, saying that President Hinckley gave his permission for her to
do so. The letter also conveyed some very comforting words from President Hinckley which were helpful to Kathy
in her final weeks, and he said he would remember Kathy in his prayers.
Kathy then suggested that I write and ask permission to give the poem a hymn setting. I did so, and Brother Staheli
conveyed President Hinckley’s permission for me to write the hymn. After offering some heartfelt prayers that
I might be able to write appropriate music for his profoundly beautiful and moving text, I wrote the hymn setting
and sent a copy to President Hinckley’s office for approval at the end of December. I received no immediate response.
Kathy passed away January 11 and after her funeral I sent a copy of her funeral program to President Hinckley’s office
so he could see how nicely his poem was displayed along side my brother Gary Kapp’s painting of Christ. When
I heard President Hinckley had passed away last Sunday night I was feeling a little sad to think I hadn’t received a
letter with his official approval. But the very next day after his passing, the hoped-for letter arrived with his approval,
his permission for me to publish it in a future volume of my series “Inspirational New Hymns for Choir &
Home,” and leaving it to my discretion as to whether to submit it to the Church Music Division. The timing was so
unusual and I was extremely grateful to receive the letter as a tender mercy in my life.
Then on Monday afternoon Craig Jessop, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director, heard about the hymn and had his
office callme to obtain a copy of the hymn for consideration for President Hinckley’s funeral. On Tuesday, while traveling
in California, I learned that the hymn would be performed by the Tabernacle Choir at President Hinckley’s
funeral on Saturday.
Having seen the great comfort this hymn brought to my niece who died just two weeks before President Hinckley
passed away, my great desire is for people throughout the world to have a free copy of these magnificent words of
President Hinckley to comfort them in times of the loss of loved ones. This is just one more way his influence could
be felt down through time."
After reading this story I felt impressed to hear the hymn again. Here is a link to a page where you can listen to the hymn.http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=e08a3a6c-a06f-4076-8380-416f5c294245Here is a link to the story and the music.http://www.ldsmag.com/radio/images/WhatIsThisThingThatMenCallDeath.pdfI love the teachings of our Prophets. I am grateful for their teachings and wisdom. I hope you all can feel the love of our Savior, especially through this hymn. I pray for our new first presidency. That they may have the guidance of the Holy Ghost as they lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Here is the text-“What Is This Thing That Men Call Death” By President Gordon B. Hinckley Music by Janice Kapp Perry What is this thing that men call death, This quiet passing in the night?'Tis not the end, but genesisOf better worlds and greater light. O God, touch thou my aching heart,And calm my troubled, haunting fears.Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,Give strength and peace beyond my tears. There is no death, but only change,With recompense for vict'ry won.The gift of Him who loved all men,The Son of God, the Holy One.
