One word has flowed through my mind throughout this concert. The word is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. We're richly blessed by this magnificent choir and orchestra. In their dedicated service, they stand shoulder to shoulder with the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God. These are men and women who say their prayers, who serve in their church, who sacrifice. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has inspired innumerable individuals throughout the world. They, indeed, have sent forth the message, "Hark all ye nations, Hear heaven's voice through every land that all may rejoice." I like that. I heard that hymn, "Hark, All Ye Nations" first sung in Italy years ago. When I went to Germany, I told the Saints that the Italians had a good missionary hymn. They said, "Oh, yes, the Italians stole it from us."
The same hymn is also sung by the Maoris of New Zealand in a slower tempo. When we were completing the new hymnbook in 1985, I made sure that song was included. I was impressed with its missionary spirit and its call. "To every land and people, we'll go." That has been the work of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from its pioneer beginnings. As we have heard tonight, the recordings have taken the word of God into homes around the world. There would be no way to measure all whose lives have been touched, whose hearts have been lifted by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. No missionary effort of the Church has brought greater spirit to the work of the Lord than the singing and playing of the Saints behind me and the tens of thousands who filled the choir seats before them. Tonight we praise our music pioneers.
Come, come ye Saints. No toil or 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. [MUSIC PLAYING] 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.
Happy day, all is well.
All is well. [MUSIC PLAYING]