We Will Sing of Zion
47

Text and music: Merrill Bradshaw (1929–2000; LDS)
Tune name: ZION

This hymn gives us an opportunity to contemplate in song the “kingdom of our God.” It reminds us of qualities necessary to a Zion people: purity of heart; dedication to the example of the Savior, the words of the prophets, and divine law; and the attainment of peaceable and loving personal relationships. The Savior can come only when Zion is ready, and Zion can come only when her people are ready.

In 1979 Merrill Bradshaw was commissioned by the Church to write the music for the sesquicentennial pageant, Zion, which was to focus on one main idea: the task of Latter- day Saints to become a Zion people.

Merrill Bradshaw noted: “I came home looking for a text to capture this idea. After a couple of days of searching, it became obvious to me that if there were to be one, I would have to either write it or get someone else to do it. I set about writing one for a model and within just a few hours had not only the text but also the music.” He wisely kept both words and music simple enough so that most congregations would be able to approach the hymn with confidence. His words are encouraging: “It is quite straightforward. Just sing it!”

The first line of this new hymn announces its topic: “We will sing of Zion, Kingdom of our God.” That is exactly what the hymn invites us and allows us to do— sing of Zion. The second line refers to the scripture that was Merrill Bradshaw’s principal source for this hymn:

“Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion— THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn” (D&C 97:21).

If purity of heart is the summing definition of Zion, then each description, reminder, and prediction that follows in this hymn can be a part of what will add up to that sum.