Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love
271

Text: Joseph L. Townsend (1849–1942; LDS)
Music: Edwin F. Parry (1850–1935; LDS)
Tune name: SMITH

One of the distinctive beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints is the principle of ongoing revelation. We have the words of the scriptures, but in addition, we have the words referred to in this hymn— “holy words of truth and love”—from modern- day apostles and prophets, the leaders of the Church. The Saints of today, more than ever before, have access to the words of the Lord and of the presiding Brethren. Church publications, radio, television, personal visits to stakes and missions around the world— all bring the counsel of our General Authorities to each member. This hymn expresses gratitude for that counsel.

Why do Latter- day Saints place such importance upon the words of their leaders? A scripture such as Doctrine and Covenants 1:38–39 helps to answer this question:

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

“For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.”

The first hymn collection in which this hymn appeared was the 1892 Deseret Sunday School Song Book. The tune name is for the composer’s wife, Margaret Smith.