The Spirit: A Language All Can Understand

Several years ago, a couple in our ward sang a song for us in Sacrament Meeting. The husband's native tongue is French, so they chose to sing a hymn for us which is in the French hymnbook, but not in our English hymnbook. The hymn is called "Souviens-toi". I hear it's a favorite hymn among the French saints, and I can understand why.

The couple who sang the hymn for us are quite talented, musically, and they sang this hymn so beautifully for us. I remember being deeply touched by their song, even though I couldn't understand the words. As I listened to them sing, I felt the spirit strongly. The impressions that came to my mind and heart as they sang were feelings of a loving Heavenly Father--that I was with Him once, and that He wanted me to be with Him again. I remember thinking that I would like to know the words of the hymn, although at the same time I felt that not knowing the words had not hindered my enjoyment of the musical number at all.

Apparently, many others in the congregation were touched by this song as well and asked the meaning of the words because a few weeks later the sister who had sung the hymn handed out an English translation of two of the verses of the hymn. She said that she and her husband had done the translation themselves, so it was not exact, but we could get the idea of the meaning of the words. Imagine my delighted surprise when I read their translation:

"Remember, my child, your parents divine
Holding you in their arms, not so long ago?
But today, you are here, as a precious gift
And your eyes still reflect light from heav'n above.
Speak to me, my child, of that blessed place.
Can you see through the veil of forgetfulness?

(2nd verse not translated)

Remember, my child, at the dawn of time--
Even then, we were friends, playing in the wind.
Then, one day, joyously, you and I did choose
To accept our Lord's plan of happiness.
Remember, my child, the promise we made:
That by love, and by faith, we would meet again."

(translation by Eric Vallee & Valerie Wynn)

I knew when I read these words that the spirit had spoken to my spirit in a language that can be understood by all, but only with the heart. The message of the song had come through loud and clear, even though I didn't understand the foreign words.

The language of the spirit--it's a language I hope to keep learning as long as I live!