2 Nephi 31:20 "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."
I love this scripture. I remember reading it at a time in my life that was particularly crazy and busy, and when I felt that the universe had combined to hedge up my way. And one morning during that time I read this scripture and I felt like it was written just for me. "Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ--having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and all men!" I lived by those words until I had successfully finished the huge project I was working on, and I feel like those words literally carried me through to the end.
The words of the scripture were set to verse by Marvin K. Gardner who said that 2 Nephi 31:20 had been one of his favorite scriptures all through seminary and on his mission. One night he heard them quoted at a stake conference and realized that the words fell perfectly into a hymn format. He said "The words of the scripture kept going through my mind well into the night and during the following weeks. Because I wanted the hymn to focus continually on the Father and the Son, I placed the words God and Christ at consistent points in all three verses. The repeated alleluias allow us to respond to Nephi's words and to express gratitude for the Savior's atonement."
Knowing that other musical settings were being considered for this hymn text, Vanja Watkins, the composer, was "puzzled to hear a tune to these words insistently going through [her] mind one evening." She says, "I wasn't home, and it was several hours before I could put the tune down on paper. Then I awoke several times during the night thinking of it and mentally harmonizing it. In the morning I wrote the harmony I had heard and continued to work with it for several days. Then, since I knew of no reason to submit it, I put it away in a drawer with out mentioning it to anyone."
It was later when the Hymnbook Committee decided to look for a new musical setting for the hymn text that Vanja Watkins submitted her work and it was accepted. She said, "I knew it was through the Lord's inspiration that I was given the music to accompany these choice words."
Press Forward Saints
Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,
With hope’s bright flame alight in heart and mind,
With love of God and love of all mankind.
Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light.
Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.
His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.
Thus saith our God: “Ye have eternal life!”
[Chorus]
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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