In the autumn of 2019, President Russell M. Nelson marked a significant milestone: the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 2020 (“Closing Remarks,” Ensign, Nov. 2019). This bicentennial prompted deep reflection, especially for those who have visited the Sacred Grove, the very place where this pivotal event unfolded. For me, it rekindled a powerful memory from my youth—a spiritual awakening that centered on a profound question: have I truly felt “to sing the song of redeeming love”? This question, born in a moment of introspection, has become a cornerstone of my lifelong testimony.
My journey towards understanding who sings this song began unexpectedly with a missionary opportunity.
A Missionary Calling to Hill Cumorah
In 1972, I eagerly accepted a mission call to participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant, “America’s Witness for Christ.” This grand production, performed annually at the Hill Cumorah in upstate New York, involved a cast of 525 volunteers. Traveling from Salt Lake City to Palmyra by bus with fellow “bus sisters,” under the guidance of priesthood leaders, was an adventure in itself. The week-long journey allowed us to bond, share testimonies, and prepare spiritually for our service. We stayed in meetinghouses and kind homes along the way, our anticipation building for the week of performances ahead, which drew around 100,000 visitors each year.
As missionaries, we adhered to specific standards: dress codes, daily schedules, and companion assignments. Our bus rides were filled with scripture study, modified visiting teaching, and heartfelt hymn singing. We were immersed in the spirit of witnessing for Jesus Christ. Greeting visitors before the pageant each evening and sharing our beliefs about the Book of Mormon became cherished moments. A particularly moving experience was a testimony meeting held in the Sacred Grove for our group of sisters and elders. The tranquility and spiritual resonance of that sacred space deepened my own search for personal revelation and understanding of “Who Sing This Song.”
Experiencing a Spiritual Rebirth
The most transformative moment of my mission, and perhaps my young life, occurred on our return bus trip to Salt Lake City. Elder Brown, our supervisor, initiated a discussion about our pageant experiences. He then read from Alma 5 in the Book of Mormon, posing two powerful questions. First, from verse 14: “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” (Alma 5:14).
After a pause, he continued with verse 26: “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26).
These verses resonated deeply within me. I realized with absolute certainty that I had been spiritually reborn and experienced a change of heart during my time at Hill Cumorah. The Holy Ghost had strengthened my conviction that Jesus is the Living Christ and that the Book of Mormon is divine scripture. My testimony solidified as I recognized the spiritual witnesses I had received. My soul had been touched by a power unmistakably from the Holy Ghost. This experience illuminated the meaning of “singing the song of redeeming love”—it is the joyful expression of a heart transformed by faith and divine witness.
Cultivating a Lasting Testimony
Elder Neal A. Maxwell provided insightful perspective on testimony development, describing three phases: “early in life came the witness of the *Spirit***, then the **intellectual conversion, and then the experiential conversion… The witness of the Spirit is more sure, but the other witnesses corroborate increasingly the relevancy of the gospel” (“Spiritual Ecology,” New Era, Feb. 1975). My Hill Cumorah experience marked a powerful spiritual witness, the first step in a lifelong journey of strengthening faith.
Even in my youth, I had felt the spirit of testimony, recognizing Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer, and knowing of a loving Heavenly Father. This early spiritual foundation guided many life decisions. Shortly after my mission, I accepted a marriage proposal from a worthy young man. Our sealing in the Provo Temple marked the beginning of our life together, built upon faith. As we navigated early marriage, prayer and temple worship became central to our decision-making. We sought divine guidance for education, career paths, and family planning.
Often, the answers we received steered us in unexpected directions, yet we felt the promptings of the Holy Ghost leading us. These experiences represented the “intellectual” aspect of my growing testimony – seeking understanding through study and prayer, leading to clearer answers over time.
In later years, I recognized the “experiential” dimension of testimony described by Elder Maxwell. Having been raised to serve in Church callings, I sometimes lacked confidence in leadership roles. In these moments of self-doubt, I recalled the “mighty change” of heart experienced years before (Alma 5:14). The Holy Ghost empowered me as I served, and I often felt more blessed than those I served. This ongoing service became a vital part of “singing the song of redeeming love,” expressing faith through action and devotion.
As we commemorate the bicentennial of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the call to be “spiritually born of God” (Alma 5:14) remains timeless. Regardless of the challenges we face, even global events like the recent pandemic, we are invited to continue to “sing the song of redeeming love” (Alma 5:26).
President Nelson’s message of hope resonates deeply: “These unique challenges will pass in due time. I remain optimistic for the future. I know the great and marvelous blessings that God has in store for those who love Him and serve Him” (“President Nelson Shares Message of Hope During COVID-19 Outbreak,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org Newsroom, Mar. 14, 2020).
Visiting sacred sites like the Sacred Grove and Hill Cumorah strengthened my faith, but it is the enduring influence of the Holy Spirit that sustains my testimony of Jesus Christ. Like the Latter-day Apostles, I testify: “He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind… a great vicarious gift” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign, May 2017). My ongoing prayer is to live worthy of this testimony, continuing to sing the song of redeeming love throughout my life’s journey.
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