Truth Eternal
4

Text: Parley P. Pratt (1807–1857; LDS)
Music: Alexander Schreiner (1901–1987; LDS)
Tune name: MOORE

One of the first to learn and preach the truths of the newly restored gospel, Parley P. Pratt often spoke through poetry to convey his feelings about the gospel message. This hymn honors the power of truth. Truth will liberate, enlighten, and save.

As we can also see in “The Morning Breaks” (no. 1), Parley P. Pratt was fond of the image of the breaking of day as a symbol of the gospel’s restoration. In this hymn, too, “Truth shall triumph as the light / Chases far the misty night.”

We usually think of the gospel in two segments: the gospel of the former days, when Jesus was alive upon the earth, before apostasy occurred and priesthood powers were removed; and the restored gospel of the latter days, given again to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This hymn, however, emphasizes the eternal nature of the gospel. Although doctrinal truths and priesthood authority were taken from the earth for many centuries, they continued to exist in another sphere while awaiting the time of the Restoration. The priesthood holders of the latter days are “priests of heaven’s royal line,” and truth now encompasses all times and peoples as “endless ages own its sway.”

Parley P. Pratt’s devotion to the cause of truth literally knew no bounds. He pledged the ultimate commitment— that he would, if necessary, give his life for the cause of truth. In Stories of Latter- day Saint Hymns, George D. Pyper paid this tribute:

“Parley P. Pratt’s life was full of trials and persecutions. He rarely found the peace his soul desired and finally gave up his life for the cause. That he had a premonition of his death is evidenced by a statement written by him in the preface to the second edition of the Voice of Warning printed in 1846, as follows: ‘Should the author be called upon to sacrifice his life for the cause of truth, he will have the consolation that it will be said of him, as it was said of Abel, “He being dead yet speaketh.”‘ Not only will Parley P. Pratt, though dead, speak through his Voice of Warning, but even more powerfully will he be heard through the voice of song” (185–86).

The tune name, MOORE, honors Dr. Ernest Carroll Moore, formerly the president of the University of California at Los Angeles, where Alexander Schreiner served as organist and lecturer in music.

Both tune and text first appeared in Latter- day Saint Hymns (1927).