The Journey

Imagine my elation when one of my lifelong favorite and less well-known hymns was sung in LDS General Conference last month.  I remember flipping through the hymn book as a teenager and stumbling across "Does the Journey Seem Long?" and reading the words for the first time. The words spoke peace, hope, and courage to my heart.

Does the Journey Seem Long?
Does the journey seem long,

The path rugged and steep?

Are there briars and thorns on the way?

Do sharp stones cut your feet 

As you struggle to rise

to the heights thru the heat of the day?

Is your heart faint and sad,

Your soul weary within,

As you toil 'neath your burden of care?

Does the load heavy seem

You are forced now to life?

Is there no one your burden to share?

Let your heart be not faint

Now the journey's begun;

There is One who still beckons to you.

So look upward in joy

and take hold of His hand;

He will lead you to heights that are new--

A land holy and pure,

Where all trouble doth end,

And your life shall be free from all sin,

Where no tears shall be shed,

For no sorrows remain.

Take his hand and with him enter in. 

Text: Joseph Fielding Smith Music: George D. Pyper

This week especially, I hope you and I remember to "look upward in joy and take hold of His hand" as He leads us to new heights.