Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee
99

Text: Joseph L. Townsend (1849–1942; LDS)
Music: William Clayson (1840–1887; LDS)
Tune name: LINDSAY

Joseph L. Townsend, the author of “Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee,” called this hymn his “heart song” (quoted in J. Spencer Cornwall, Stories of Our Mormon Hymns, 74). That is exactly what it is— the plea of a heart yearning to become more holy, more spiritual, and more refined by earthly experiences.

The central word of the text is nearer. As we sing this hymn, we express our prayerful desire to be nearer to Jesus Christ in two senses of the word. First, we wish to be nearer in terms of becoming perfected, more like him, closer to him in our thoughts, actions, and spiritual development. Second, especially in verse four, the word nearer takes on the sense of becoming literally closer to the Savior— actually being in his presence, sharing exaltation in his kingdom among his celestial associates.

The word nearer is repeated no fewer than twenty- one times in the four verses. But the repetition itself is significant. As we draw nearer to our Savior, is that process not a gradual one? If we sing this hymn with sincerity, each repetition should bring us nearer.

The text of this hymn emphasizes that the responsibility for this process is ours. In fact, a look at the third line of each verse will yield quite a list of the qualities of someone who is striving to become Christlike. That person is trustful, confiding, hopeful, humble, earnest, prayerful, loving, and obedient.

Elder Mark Lindsay baptized this hymn’s composer, William Clayson, in England. The tune name, LINDSAY, honors that missionary. The hymn was first published in the Juvenile Instructor in 1882.