Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls
157

Text: Frank I. Kooyman (1880–1963; LDS)
Music: Alexander Schreiner (1901–1987; LDS)
Tune name: BAVARIA

This closing prayer is as different as it can possibly be from a routine, formulaic prayer of dismissal. It is the perfect “amen” to a meeting in which hearts have truly been touched and eyes have truly been opened. The congregation acknowledges the solemnity of the moment and renews their commitment to the highest, most spiritual goals.

J. Spencer Cornwall discussed this hymn in Stories of Our Mormon Hymns:

“A spiritual experience such as this song mentions is a private possession, and when put into the words of a hymn, it becomes a personal testimony. . . . It may or may not strike a responsive chord in the hearts of others, but usually does. . . .

“‘Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls’ was ‘born’ in a very spiritual meeting. We all, no doubt, have partaken in such gatherings when during a spirit- prompted address a profound silence falls upon the congregation, a hushing spell that is felt by all present. This song is intended to be a grateful closing hymn after a rich outpouring of the ‘glowing power’ of the Lord has moved the souls of the listeners and filled them with new determination to carry on, or newborn resolutions to do better” (216).

Two scripture references are crucial to an understanding of the text. The “burning bush near Sinai” refers to an incident recounted in the third chapter of Exodus. When Moses was leading a flock of sheep near Horeb (Sinai), he saw a flame coming from a bush, but the bush continued to burn and was not consumed. “And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I” (Exodus 3:4). The Lord spoke to Moses at some length, giving him instructions concerning his role as leader of the Israelites.

“Did not our hearts within us burn?” is the question asked by the two disciples after Jesus, whose identity was unknown to them, had walked and talked with them on the road to Emmaus. After his departure, they realized that their companion had been the resurrected Lord himself (see Luke 24:32).

The common theme of these two scriptural events is that both times the Lord appeared under memorable and dramatic circumstances to communicate directly with his followers. This moving hymn implies that the congregation has had a comparable experience.