2015
Beyond the Notes
June 2015

“Beyond the Notes,” New Era, June 2015, 8–9

Beyond the Notes

By Margot Hovley

Margot Hovley lives in Utah, USA.

The words of our hymns can inspire, give hope, and teach powerful lessons.

Beyond the Notes
boy singing

Music forms a big part of our Church meetings. Nearly every meeting begins and ends with a song—and for good reason. It sets a definite tone, and there’s no doubt that the hymns have a special power to help us worship. The mere sound of a hymn can calm us and invite the Spirit.

The words of our beloved hymns have a special influence too. Have you ever thought about studying the gospel by reading the hymns? Try it sometime. Open your hymnbook, and on any page you’ll find a message about our beliefs and feelings as Church members.

You can even go deeper by reading the scriptures listed below each hymn. You could even mark your scriptures by writing the associated hymn titles in the margin.

As you study the words of the hymns, you’ll learn truths, find comfort, and feel inspired. Listen to the words as you sing this week in church, and find the gospel lessons that are there for you. Then turn to the hymns anytime you need to clear your mind, be uplifted, get back on track, learn more about the gospel, and feel the Spirit.

Here are just a few examples of hymns with great meaning. Find the message you think goes with each hymn’s lyrics and write it on the line below.

  • God guides our lives.

  • The Holy Ghost will comfort and guide us in our youth.

  • Faith and obedience bring blessings.

  • Christ’s sacrifice was for you.

  • Trust in the Atonement.

  • Christ will come again to rule the earth.

  • Prayer brings joy.

  • We can find peace in Jesus Christ.

  • Hymn 114: Come unto Him

    I kneel upon the grass and pray;

    An answer comes without a voice.

    It takes my burden all away

    And makes my aching heart rejoice.

  • Hymn 194: There Is a Green Hill Far Away

    Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!

    And we must love him too,

    and trust in his redeeming blood,

    and try his works to do.

  • Hymn 134: I Believe in Christ

    I believe in Christ; so come what may,

    With him I’ll stand in that great day

    When on this earth he comes again

    To rule among the sons of men.

  • Hymn 96: Dearest Children, God Is Near You

    Dearest children, God is near you,

    Watching o’er you day and night,

    And delights to own and bless you,

    If you strive to do what’s right.

    He will bless you, He will bless you,

    If you put your trust in him.

  • Hymn 236: Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom

    Let the Holy Ghost, descending,

    Comfort, guide the path of youth,

    Channel of all light and glory,

    Key to vision, knowledge, truth.

  • Hymn 193: I Stand All Amazed

    I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

    Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

    I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

    That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

    Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

    Enough to die for me!

  • Hymn 120: Lean on My Ample Arm

    Lift up thy tearful eyes,

    Sad heart, to me;

    I am the sacrifice

    Offered for thee.

    In me thy pain shall cease,

    In me is thy release,

    In me thou shalt have peace

    Eternally.

  • Hymn 124: Be Still, My Soul

    Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake

    To guide the future as he has the past.

    Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

    All now mysterious shall be bright at last.