The following broadcast announced by J. Spencer Kinard, and originating with Station KSL, Salt Lake City, Utah, was presented from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 4, 1976, through the courtesy of the Columbia Broadcasting System’s network throughout the United States, parts of Canada, and through other facilities to several points overseas:

Announcer: Once more we welcome you within these walls with Music and the Spoken Work from the Crossroads of the West.

CBS and its affiliated stations bring you at this hour the Tabernacle Choir from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, with Jerold Ottley conducting the Choir, Alexander Schreiner, Tabernacle Organist, and the Spoken Word by Spencer Kinard.

Announcer: First, from a setting by Rhea B. Allen, the Choir sings the deeply reassuring words of Bruce R. McConkie: “I believe in Christ, … to him I’ll sing; I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy, In grand amens my tongue employ… O blessed name …”

(Choir: “I Believe in Christ”—Allen)

Announcer: We next hear the Men’s Chorus of the Tabernacle Choir recall a prayerful, searching hymn by O.P. Huish: “’Jesus, my Savior true … Help me thy will to do; Guide me to thee.”

(Men’s Chorus: “Jesus, My Savior True”—Huish)

Announcer: From the Tabernacle Organ on Temple Square today, Alexander Schreiner presents his improvisation on the hymn tune “Harwell.”

(Organ: Improvisation on the hymn tune “Harwell”—Schreiner)

Announcer: “… Heed the Master’s pleading call; … let him guide you …” These words from First Corinthians are sung now by the Tabernacle Choir: “Come, Follow Christ.”

(Choir: “Come, Follow Christ”—Hicken)

Announcer: When the Savior invited his disciples to come follow Him, it meant more than simply walking along the same road. It was an invitation of commitment, and it was extended to all of us. It was an invitation to do what He asked, not just because He asked, but because we believe it to be right. It was not an invitation to simply act as if we believe, but to actually commit ourselves to His teachings; to follow after Him with heart and soul.

Commitment is a vital part of life. It is the motivation behind much of what we do. It is the catalyst within us that generates all our talents and emotions in pursuit of a cause. It is the power and force that keeps us going through difficult times, our shield against defeat. Commitment often serves as an inner prod to keep us going when at times it seems easier to quit.

There are many plans we can commit ourselves to in life. Our challenge is to find the proper targets, to seek in righteousness that which is good and just, and then having found it, commit ourselves to its accomplishment. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Satan, too, knows the value of commitment and does all within his power to bind us to him. His own commitment is to our spiritual destruction, and one of his most powerful methods is to prevent us from being committed to that which is good.

Anything worthwhile is difficult to obtain, and it takes commitment to carry us through moments of discouragement. Our heritage is replete with examples. This country would not be celebrating its 200th year were it not for those who were committed to their dreams long ago. As one patriot wrote, “O! ye unborn inhabitants of America! … when your eyes behold the sun after he has rolled the seasons round for two or three centuries more, you will know that in … 1758, we dream’d of your times” [Nathaniel Ames].

And there are those today who dream of tomorrow, whose dreams will also come true because they are committed to them. Life all around us says it is so. Enterprising businessmen, champion athletes, great musicians, inspired religious leaders, loving husbands, wives and parents all achieve success only through commitment. In fact, a life of happiness—indeed, an eternity of joy—can only be ours through commitment.

It takes more than an outward gesture to follow the Savior. It takes commitment if we, too, want to say on that last, bright morning, “… I am with Thee, … Still, still with Thee…”

(Choir: without announcement “Still, Still with Thee”— Shelley)

Announcer: From the music of Harry Rowe Shelley, the Tabernacle Choir has sung of life everlasting, with the reassuring words of Harriet Beecher Stowe: Oh, in that hour, When the soul waketh and life’s shadows flee. Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee! … Still, still with Thee… .”

And now with Alexander Schreiner at the Tabernacle Organ, we hear Lewis D. Edwards’ setting for the witness of these words: “I know that my Redeemer lives … He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above… . My Redeemer lives!”

(Organ: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”—Edwards)

(Ladies Chorus: without announcement “Rock of Ages”—Hastings)

Announcer: The women of the Tabernacle Choir have brought us a cherished hymn melody by Thomas Hastings: “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee …”

With words recalled from the beloved 23rd Psalm, sung to music given to the Tabernacle Choir by Gordon Young, we hear the worshipful “God is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

(Choir: “God Is My Shepherd”—Young)

Announcer: Again we leave you within the shadows of the everlasting hills. May peace be with you, this day—and always.

This concludes the two thousand four hundred thirty-third performance, continuing the 47th year of this traditional broadcast from the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square, brought to you by CBS and its affiliated stations, originating with Station KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jerold Ottley conducted the Tabernacle Choir, Alexander Schreiner was at the Organ, the Spoken Word by Spencer Kinard.

In another seven days, at this same hour, Music and the Spoken Word will be heard again from the Crossroads of the West.

This is the CBS Radio Network.