When First the Glorious Light of Truth

1. When first the glorious light of truthBurst forth in this last age,How few there were enrolled their namesUpon its sacred page!And of those few how manyHave passed from earth awayAnd in the grave are sleepingTill the resurrection day!Till the resurrection day!And in the grave are sleepingTill the resurrection day!

2. How many on Missouri’s plainLie prone in death’s embrace.Pure honest souls, too good to liveIn such a wicked place!And are they left foreverBeneath the silent clay?Ah, no; they are but sleepingTill the resurrection day!Till the resurrection day!Ah, no; they are but sleepingTill the resurrection day!

3. And in Nauvoo, that city whereA temple cheered the brave,A multitude of sainted soulsHave found a restful grave.And there they now are sleeping,But shall not sleep alway,For soon they’ll share the gloriesOf a resurrection day!Of a resurrection day!For soon they’ll share the gloriesOf a resurrection day!

4. Our Patriarch and Prophet, too,Were massacred; they bledTo seal their testimony andWere numbered with the dead.Ah, tell me, are they sleeping?Methinks I hear them say:“Death’s icy chains are bursting!’Tis the resurrection day!’Tis the resurrection day!Death’s icy chains are bursting!’Tis the resurrection day!”

5. And here in these sweet peaceful valesThe shafts of death are hurled,And many faithful Saints are calledUnto a better world.And friends are ofttimes weepingFor friends who’ve passed away,And in their graves are sleepingTill the resurrection day!Till the resurrection day!And in their graves are sleepingTill the resurrection day!

6. Why should we mourn because we leaveThese scenes of toil and pain?Oh, happy change, the righteous goCelestial crowns to gain!And soon we all shall followTo realms of endless dayAnd taste the joys and gloriesOf a ressurrection day!Of a ressurrection day!And taste the joys and gloriesOf a ressurrection day!