June 7, 2025, 10:00am MDT
A few months ago, my young child and I had experienced a variety of illnesses and missed Sunday services for several consecutive weeks.
Not attending church made me feel a little separate from the Lord. I felt mentally and physically exhausted, and my efforts in personal prayer and Bible study were waning.
One particular Sunday morning, when I told my 3-year-old son we could be home again from the church, he expressed interest in seeing the general meeting. He recalls watching the April 2025 general conference a few weeks ago as a family, and loved watching the tabernacle choirs in Temple Square and other choirs.
I must admit that I was not initially excited to re-watch the meeting like my son that day. Looking back now, I am grateful that his enthusiasm led to my experience of strength in faith that I desperately needed.
I started watching Sunday morning sessions for the general conference in April. Following a message from the 12 Apostles and Elder David A. Bednar of Quarum, Elder Stephen D. Shamway, the 70 presidents set out to sing.
I looked with a smile as my son climbed the step stool and raised his arms to imitate Mac Wilberg, the choir conductor. With the red straws from a fast food restaurant, my son began to “conduct” the choir as they sang.
I listened quietly as the choir played beautiful hymns that were unfamiliar to me. The title “Welcome Home” was recently added to a new church hymn. The first two poems convey the warm welcome given to the church meetings and temples. I got emotional during the third section:
The gates of heaven are burning with light.
The Savior is invited to a white robe –
His arms stretched out and his table widened.
Come to his east feast. I will feed him with love.
As those words sank deep inside my heart and my heart, I invited me to stand before me, stretching out his arms and come to him. It reminded me that he knew me personally and loved me, and I felt wrapped in a warm embrace. At that moment, the spirit would go to me, wherever I am – physically or mentally – “(I) is always welcome and welcome.”
I’ve listened to the hymn several times since then. I identify in the chorus words with feeling like “a tattered traveller on the path of life.” Hearing this hymn helps me remember that God is always there.
In 2018, the first presidency was directed to produce new hymns to increase the faith and worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Church and unify members of the world, saying in a recent Church News Podcast episode, Elder Dale G. Renlund of Quorum, the 12 Apostles, “We were instructed to create new hymns to increase the faith and worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Church and unify our members around the world.
It is interesting that the new collection is called “hymns – for the home and the church.” The house is listed first. I have seen these new hymns increase the faith and worship of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in my home.
We sing some of the new hymns at family nights and at bedtime and listen to them in the car. My son loves watching songs videos and pretending to do music using straws, popsicle sticks, pencils and more.
Music also helped my son become more interested in the gospel and the churches he attended. He remembers the lines from the hymns, what does “stand on a promise” mean? ”, ask about them. (The song’s “About Hymns” section contains background stories for each hymn and additional research resources, but it gives you a great answer.)
Words from “Stay on a Promise” and other new hymns have helped my family find comfort in difficult situations and courage to trust their Savior more. Music speaks to my heart and heart, reinforcing my faith in Jesus Christ in a powerful and memorable way.
It resonates with what Steve Shank, the Chair of the Church’s Hymn Committee, said on the Church’s News Podcast about the power of sacred music.
I am grateful for the power of sacred music in my life and the impact it has on my family.
– Sydney Walker is a reporter for Church News.
