Hello! “Press Forward Saints” is a suggested song for this week and I have a done a piano solo arrangement of it. The Book of Mormon lesson it goes along with is “This Is the Way” studying 2 Nephi 31–33. This hymn was written by BYU professor Marvin K. Gardner and music educator Vanja Y. Watkins. Gardner explained that the idea for the words came to him during a 1984 session of stake conference after a speaker quoted 2 Nephi 31:20. “I instantly recognized it as one of my favorite scriptures from my teenage years as a seminary student and also as a missionary. Something just kind of went through my mind like, ‘Wow, that’s the Book of Mormon verse that you’ve been looking for.'” As a member of the Hymnbook Executive Committee, Gardner had the opportunity to review many of the submissions for the new edition of the LDS Hymnbook in 1985. It was during this time that he noticed that few of the submissions were based on scripture.
This lesson includes chapters that discuss Nephi’s prophesies about Christ coming to minister to his descendants, a future apostasy, the Book of Mormon coming forth; and the future Gentiles and Jews who convert to the gospel of Jesus Christ becoming a covenant people under that same covenant of old, the Abrahamic covenant. There are some beautiful verses about Jesus Christ’s great love for all of God’s children that harmonizes well with this song. “Writing the text for ‘Press Forward, Saints’ was a spiritually rewarding experience for me,” Gardner said. “Like everyone else, I struggle while trying to endure ‘ days of mortal strife.’ On many occasions, the words and music of this hymn have entered my mind and have given me encouragement, hope, reassurance and comfort in our Savior Jesus Christ.”
- 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
- 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
- 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
The following excerpt is quoted in this week’s lesson:
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Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “Enduring to the end is not a separate step in the doctrine of Christ—as though we complete the first four steps and then hunker down, grit our teeth, and wait to die. No, enduring to the end is actively and intentionally repeating the steps” (“Lifelong Conversion” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 14, 2021], 2, speeches.byu.edu). How can you repeat the steps in the doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost)?
Thank you to churchofjesuschrist.org (“Daily Bread Pattern”, “Nephi Teaches the Doctrine of Christ”, “Nephi Records His Final Testimony”), Carrie Merrill, Lindsay Nicholas (photo submissions) Brad Leishman & Steve Pierce (nature videography/photography) for the beautiful images, media and art that greatly enhance the visual aspects of this song!
The scripture references for this hymn are:
- 2 Nephi 31:20 See above
- Helaman 3:28–30 28 Yea, thus we see that the agate of heaven is open unto ball, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. 29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the aword of God, which is bquick and powerful, which shall cdivide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and dnarrow course across that everlasting egulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— 30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the aright hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.
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Composers: Text: Marvin K. Gardner, b. 1952; based on 2 Nephi 31:20. © 1985 IRI Music: Vanja Y. Watkins, b. 1938. © 1985 IRI
I sure loved reading about Br. Gardner. And I loved your piano playing and the encouraging lyrics. Well done, as always, Marilee.