Lead Kindly Light

I believe the essence of the Gospel is simply: are we willing to be guided and led by a Father in Heaven when we do not see where He is leading us, but simply trust Him. I believe that is the really crucial test of this life. The reason is this: we cannot hope to become like Him without growing in ways that are uncomfortable and seem unnecessary at the time, or rather have reasons we cannot hope to comprehend until we have passed the test. This process of growing up into the fullness of our Father’s likeness will not be completed in this life. actually it will scarcely be started by the time we pass into the spirit world. What we must gain here is not a precise understanding of the reasons in God’s mind for each of our trials, but rather simply that we must arrive at a state of total willingness to submit to His tutelage, no matter how little we may comprehend his reasons.

I think the Hymn “Lead Kindly Light” sums this up.Here is a stirring performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I give the lyrics below that.

1. Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.

2. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

3. So long thy pow’r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!