The Songs We Cannot Sing

This talk was just what I needed to hear today, it was given by my uncle Thomas. I know that above all else, Everything Will be Okay.

Sacrament Talk: The Songs They Could Not Sing
3/18/2012 Given by my Uncle Thomas Leishman

I am grateful for the talks that have been shared on prayer and for the opportunity to sing in the ward choir. In a revelation given through the prophet Joseph Smith the Lord told Emma Smith that singing hymns is a form of praying.

Doctrine & Covenants 25:12

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

Truly singing hymns is like saying a prayer. I know this because of the feeling I have when I sing. My wife tells me singing runs in my family. I grew up learning how to sing the base line of the hymns from listening and mimicking my fathers voice. His mother, my grandmother, sang in the tabernacle choir for 28 years. My mother and her brother were also members of that great choir. My siblings have also all been involved in choirs throughout the years.

One my favorite family traditions is Christmas caroling to my parents neighbors on Christmas Eve. With my parents, 8 siblings, spouses, and grandchildren we have a pretty decent choir. One Christmas Eve several years ago we went to the door of a non-LDS neighbor. We rang the doorbell and as she opened the door sang “Joy to the World” followed by “Silent Night”.

As this women stood in her doorway, tears came to her eyes. When we finished the Hymns, she thanked us by saying “I had forgotten it was Christmas Eve, thank you for reminding me”. I do not know what hardships she was going through that caused her to forget the approaching Christmas holiday, but I’m grateful we were able to sing songs that she could not sing herself and bring joy and peace to her Christmas.

Elder Quentin L. Cook said:

Many people face significant problems or even tragedy during this mortal journey. All over the world we see examples of trials and tribulations. We are moved in our souls by television images of death, acute suffering, and despair. Something stirs us when we become aware of such tragedy, especially when suffered by innocent people.

Sometimes tragedies are very personal. A son or daughter dies early in life or falls victim to a devastating disease. A loving parent’s life is taken because of a thoughtless act or accident. Whenever tragedy occurs, we mourn and strive to bear one another’s burdens. We lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung.

Elder Cook mentions that the most frequently asked question of church leaders are:

Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people?
Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?


We don’t always have answers to these questions. We know from Peter that “God is no respecter of persons” or in other words bad things can happen to young & old, rich or poor, unrighteous or righteous people. Elder Cook highlights 3 other answers we know:

First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.

Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.

Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding.

My father taught LDS Seminary for 36 years and served our country part time in the Army Reserves and National Guard for 31 years. He lived a life of service. A few years after he retired he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I once thought it unfair that my father who lived his life serving the Lord would have to endure such a difficult trial and have his life cut short.

Elder Cook:

There are many kinds of challenges. Some give us necessary experiences. Adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our Father in Heaven’s overall plan. The refiner’s fire is real, and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction... perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prisoner in Liberty Jail, the Lord declared to him that multiple calamities can befall mankind. The Savior stated in part, “If thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; … and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; … these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” The Savior concluded His instruction: “Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

I recently expressed concern with my father about things I will miss when he is gone. I would miss getting an annual fathers blessing, or our General Conference Priesthood Meetings with dinner after, or the that he would be unable to be a part of my daughter Mia and my other kids lives as they grow up.

Elder Cook:

“A unique challenge for those who have lost loved ones is to avoid dwelling on the lost opportunities in this life. With our limited understanding, we lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung. But when we look through the wide and clear lens of the gospel instead of the limited lens of mere mortal existence, we know of the great eternal reward promised by a loving Father in His plan. As the Apostle Paul taught, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

The Savior said: "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted. … Be still and know that I am God."
In his talk, Elder Cook quoted the 2nd verse from the beloved hymn “There is sunshine in my soul today” which reads:

"There is music in my soul today;
A carol to my king
And Jesus, listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing..."

With the coming Easter Holiday we are reminded of a song we could not sing. The ultimate song our Savior, Jesus Christ performed on our behalf so that we with our children and our parents will have sunshine in our souls and sing "songs of everlasting joy."