LDS Hymns of the Restoration: Parley P. Pratt

When the screaming volume grows to unpleasant and unsupportable levels in my ears, and I cannot think any longer of any thing else, in desperation I remember an inspiring incident's from my days at Portland , Oregon. It was a magic few moments before the true hour of sun up, but some meteorological phenomenon of river canyon and mountain terrain and what have you formed a sort of cloud conduit far from the east to carry sunlight in a sort of pipeline into the Portland sky hours before the natural sunrise. It was magical... The sky lighted up as if from below with an eerie light that was glowing yellow and orange and pink, sombre tones, not bright like directly from sunlight, but as filtered and reflected through a tunnel of light hundreds of miles long. It only lasted for a few minuted as the words form the hymn rang through my mind. I sang from my balcony -- my neighbours complained. They were always griping about my weird behaviour, but I didn't pay any attention.

The soaring words of Brother Pratt's glorious vision fit perfectly with the splendid false sunrise:

The Morning Breaks,
The Shadows Flee,
Lo' Zions Standard is Unfurl'd
The Dawing of a Brighter Day,
The Dawning of a Brighter Day,
Majestic Rises On The World!!

The clouds of error disappear
Before the rays of truth divine;
The glory bursting from afar,
The glory bursting from afar
Wide o'er the nations soon will shine.

The Gentile fullness now comes in,
And Israel's blessings are at hand.
Lo, Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin,
Lo, Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin
Shall in their promised Canaan stand

Jehovah speaks! let earth give ear,

And Gentile nations turn and live.

His mighty arm is making bare,

His mighty arm is making bare

His covenant people to receive.

Angels from heaven and truth from earth

Have met, and both have record borne;

Thus Zion's light is bursting forth,
Thus Zion's light is bursting forth,
To bring her ransomed children home.