Dawn is Breaking

Posted in: What's the Buzz

When contemplating a cover headline and image for each issue of this magazine, often a hymn title will pop into my head. Song titles often speak a thousand words. After all, the “What’s The Buzz” column is named after a song title. This go around, The Day Dawn is Breaking stuck in my head. I envisioned a cover image of a sunrise, symbolic of the new year, and the hope the occasion brings to us all. Subsequently, I looked at the lyrics of the song, rather than merely the song title. 

Interestingly, author Joseph L. Townsend, while writing about his day, was also describing our day, pondering the earth waking up from “worldwide commotion from ocean to ocean” and finding itself on the first day of the millennium. Happy New Year, indeed!

A quick study of our hymnal reveals Brother Townsend as one of its more prolific authors, counting among his creations: #185 “Reverently and Meekly Now,” #232 “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other,” #239 “Choose the Right,” #258 “O Thou Rock Of Our Salvation,” #259 “Hope of Israel,” and #274 “The Iron Rod”. Staples sung during our Sacrament meetings!

As I am sure you know, each hymn references a scripture or two as the basis of its significance. The Day Dawn is Breaking notes Doctrine and Covenants 29:11: For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand. 

And Doctrine and Covenants 45:59: For the Lord shall be in their amidst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver. 

Both scriptures, as expected given the flavor of the song’s lyrics, anticipate the Millennium. 

So, was I inspired to title this issue “The Day Dawn Is Breaking” because its pages usher in the Millennium? I think not! But it does highlight that our new 366-day year started with a single bright, hopeful day. Sunrises are symbolic of hope, and of everything having a beginning. I consider the content of our magazine as hopeful. We write about what is good in our community, providing stories and information that give hope and feelings of joy at living, as members of our magnificent church, in our Phoenix-area confines. 

Here’s to each day dawn breaking with hope and enjoyment this coming year. Thanks for reading… You are most appreciated…

Share this post: