In this country it was the Mormons who suffered similar persecution and were driven further and further west. Eventually after crossing the Rocky Mountains, at the top of a high mountain, Brigham Young looked out over the Great Salt Lake and declared, "This is the Place." There was a large Exodus of Mormons who made the trek to Salt Lake City, pulling those famous two-wheel handcarts over the Rockies through extreme hardship and weather conditions. They were a people of great courage and determination, trying to find a home in the West. The hymn which follows speaks to that wonderful spirit of the Mormon peoples.
Written in 1846 while William Clayton was traveling westward with the first company of Mormons forced out of Nauvoo, this hymn text reflects the strength and devotion of the Mormon pioneers. Along with its accompanying English folk tune, this historically significant text has become the hymn most readily identified with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has appeared in every Latter-day Saint hymnal since 1851. Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 6
It is not surprising that the Mennonites and Brethren put this hymn (with some revision due to theological differences) in their latest hymnal published in 1992. Although the Mormon theology is quite different than that of the Mennonites and the Brethren, there is this common bond of suffering between them. Please read the words carefully. There is a real inspiration to be found in this hymn.
Copyright © Jay D Weaver - January 10, 2003
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Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor
fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may
appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
'Tis better far for us to
strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your
hearts will swell--
All is well! All is well!
Why should we mourn
or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we
think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your
loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon
we'll have this tale to tell-
All is well! All is well!
We'll find
the place which God for us prepared,
Far away in the West,
Where none
shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the Saints will be
blessed.
We'll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God
and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell--
All is well! All is
well!
And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day!
All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too,
With the just
we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints
their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell--
All is well!
All is well!