Secular Music Related to Gospel Topics
During the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, when everyone was in isolation and separated from one another, Singer/Songwriter Donny Osmond thought to himself, ‘Is there something small I can contribute, something I could do to lighten up the burdens of maybe a few people here and there?'” some time later, World-renowned singer Donny Osmond released his hit single “Start Again” on September 10, 2021. When releasing his song, Osmond shared to social media about the song saying, “The lyrics are quite appropriate for what we’re all going through cause it seems like we’re all slowing our lives down a little bit and maybe appreciating each other a little bit more,” he says. “It gives us a chance to hit that ‘reset’ button and start over. Start again.” The lyrics in Osmond’s ballad encourage listeners to “keep believing” and to “keep on fighting.”
Now let's take a look into the lyrics of the song and relate it to the Gospel Topics of Repentance, Changing, starting over, and being made new again.
You know life's not always simple
You stumble and fall
And things don't always work out
And you feel small
And when the night goes on forever
And you're looking for a ray of hope
When there seems to be no answer
Believe me, I know
I've made it through the fire
My scars are who I am
And when you're walking through the valley
Just hold my hand
Life's not always simple
'Cause you stumbled and crawled
But things will always work out
You see, I've been there
Yes, I've been there before
Our Heavenly Father has told us from before we came to this earth that earth life would not be easy. We are bound to face sin, difficulties, afflictions and to be tried and tested. Along with all of that, we would face happiness, joy, love, and hope. 2 Nephi 2:11 “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.” These couple of versus are as if Jesus Christ is talking to each one of us. Telling us that he knows what we have been through, as he is all knowing. The most important part is the last line of the last verse, saying, “I've been there. Yes, I've been there before.” As we know, Christ has suffered even as we have and as we will. Alma 7:11-13 “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.” Christ knows how we feel, what we go though, all so that he can help us, guide us, and comfort us through it.
It is never, never, never
Never too late to start again
No, it's never, never, never
Never too late to find your way
So keep your head up
And keep your heart strong
Just remember you're not on your own
'Cause it's never, never, never
Never too late to start again
Start again
In the October, 2017 Ensign Magazine edition, Amber Jensen wrote an article titled “It’s Not Too Late for a Second Chance.” In this, she writes, “...Our perfect Father never loses hope in His children’s capacity to achieve salvation by being perfected in Christ. It does not matter how far gone we are; He will always seek after the one. The Lord beseeches us to no longer wander as strangers in sin but instead to seek Him in hope and enjoy the blessings of His infinite Atonement. Indeed, it is never too late.” We are Children of a loving Heavenly Father who has provided us with a means to start over again and be made new to return to Him.
In my short 22 years of life, I have seen my Heavenly Father stretched forth His hand countless times to help get me back on the right path. There have been times where I feel as though I have drifted too far or sinned too great that even my Heavenly Father wouldnt be able to forgive me. I was very wrong. In those times of great despair and heartache, I have never felt the comfort and arms of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more in my life. I know that if I Look unto Jesus Chirst and my Heavenly Father always (D&C 6:36), then I will always be able to start again, because it is never too late.
I hope that through this post, you were able to see God’s hand in even the smallest and simple everyday things. Heavenly Father loves you, and is talking to you, in more ways than you know!
Have a safe and blessed week!
