Last weekend, I attended a conference for our Stake in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I sat with my wife near the front of the congregation, my eyes were drawn to a small group of faithful Latter-day Saints on the left side in the first two rows. They were quietly sitting, intently watching interpreters repeat the words of the speakers in American Sign Language. However, when my wife began playing the introduction to one of the hymns on the organ, these Church members opened their hymnals, set them on their laps, and signed the words as the rest of the congregation sang them.
As I sang with these hearing-impaired Saints, my mind was called back to the second verse of a hymn I used to sing often:
1. There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.2. There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing.Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.3. There is springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flow’rs of grace appear.Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.4. There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which he gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.
Indeed, although each of us has limitations, the Living Christ “can hear the songs we cannot sing.” He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts, and he loves us. A major part of His mission was to take upon Himself our weaknesses and our pains. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
The Lord would also have us help those with disabilities to worship and understand Him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has just launched a new website with resources to assist those with disabilities. The Church publishes many materials, including Scriptures and the hymnal, in Braille, American Sign Language, and other formats in a continuing effort to invite all to come unto Christ.
MP3 Recording of There is Sunshine in my Soul Today
There is Sunshine in my Soul Today in American Sign Language
