Music by Danielle Isaacson
On to the Promised Land
Primary Song - Original
I love the story of the Jaredites and how their journey is very symbolic of our journey here on earth. We are all in search of "the Promised Land," or salvation and eternal life. I thought there needed to be a song about this. After I was through I was also pleased that there were so many obvious actions that could be done with the lyrics which is especially great for young children!
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About writing the lyrics: In the first draft I used the words, "strong winds" and "stormy waves." After sharing my initial ideas with my husband he pulled out the scriptures and started reading. We were both struck by the words used to describe the intensity of the journey. Phrases like, "furious wind," "depths of the sea," "mountain waves," "terrible tempests," "fierceness of the wind." As he red I quickly realized I needed to use those scriptural phrases. As soon as I did, the spirit struck me with the new power of the words.​
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Also, at one point I looked at my 3rd verse and wondered if the phrase "darkest hours" was too strong/depressing for children. I quickly thought, "No." I realied these are the last days. Adults, children and youth alike are faced with dark hours. Trials, temptations and devastation are all around and everyone needs to know that Christ is The Light that will help us get through the dark times. Those times won't be taken away but we can have light through them.
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Eight, tight Jaredite barges,
Led by the Lord's own hand,
Tossed on the waves while the fierce winds blew
On to the Promised Land.
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Sixteen stones in the barges,
Touched by the Lord's own hand,
Shone through the darkness and mountain waves
On to the Promised Land.
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As the storms in my life blow
Pray for the Lord's own hand.
He is The Light in my darkest hours
On to the Promised Land.