Because I Have Been Given Much

Hello! “Because I Have Been Given Much” is the suggested hymn this week to go along with the Come Follow Me  Book of Mormon lesson. This is a favorite hymn of mine and I think I am not alone in saying that at all! In 1940, Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969), the lyricist for this hymn, wrote:

•  “I wrote the poem [originally titled ‘The Shared Loaf’] after a long and serious illness. I was convalescing (Convalescence is the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness or injury), and in a sudden, glad up-rush of gratitude for my release from pain, recalling the many mercies and blessings that had been mine those long hard days, and through all my past life, remembering the love that had been around and about me ever, I wrote the words of this hymn. Surely I have been given much; surely love has been showered upon me. God grant I may never forget to ‘divide my gifts with every brother that I see who has the need of help from me,’ and I trust I shall not hoard the love that has been so abundantly showered upon me.”

Minister of Music, Professor Phillip Landgrave (b. 1935-2021) wrote the music to this hymn. The tune name, SEMINARY, honors the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he was both a student and professor. In 2021, Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler had this to say in about him:

• “Phil Landgrave was a whirlwind of energy and composition,” Mohler said. “He composed more than 500 published works of church music. He contributed hymns to the Baptist Hymnal and many other works. He was a devoted servant of Christ and a master teacher. To know him was to know a fury of creativity and a tremendously gifted musician. He invested his long teaching ministry at Southern Seminary and left an indelible mark on hundreds of students.”

This lesson studies Jacob chapters 1-4. In this section of scripture Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother, is preaching, testifying and exhorting the people to keep the commandments and repent. In chapter 2 Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride and unchastity and reminds them that the Lord has commanded them to look after one another and to esteem all people the same. He says:

• 13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
• 14 And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you.
• 17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
• 18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
• 19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
• 21 And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other.

Thank you to churchofjesuschrist.org (“Jesus Teaches about the Widows Mites”, “Painted into a Corner”, “Risen Evergreen”), Brad Leishman & Steve Pierce (nature images & videography) & Lindsay Nicholas, Janeth Perez & Carrie Merrill for photo submissions along with Cedar City Temple Art by Karolee Allen!

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