COME TO ZION – ISRAEL, ISRAEL, GOD IS CALLING
Israel, Israel, God Is Calling is one of the most familiar and beloved hymns in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I grew up singing it with its energetic melody, but for many years I didn’t pause to consider the depth of its words.
As I got older, words like Zion, Israel, Babylon, Deliverer, Celestial, Saints, Judgment began to be much more meaningful to me.
In 2020, I began a deeper study of the word Israel. I learned that while Israel is a literal place, it more profoundly describes a people—those who have entered into covenant with God. Some of the meanings of Israel include: “one who struggles with God,” “one who prevails with God,” “triumph with God,” and “God’s people.”
Each definition spoke to me—from the struggle to the triumph.
The word Zion also really intrigued me. Again, while it refers to a place—God’s covenant city—it more powerfully refers to a people and the condition of their hearts. Zion is described as “the pure in heart,” a people living in covenant and unity, with no poor among them—marked by holiness, consecration, and preparation for Christ’s return.
One day in 2020, during a long drive alone, the words of this hymn were turning over in my mind when I began to hear a new melody.
It wasn’t bouncy or energetic—it was pleading. It was imploring.
Israel, Israel, God is calling
Calling thee from lands of woe
Babylon the great is falling
All her towers shall overthrow…
Come to Zion, come to Zion
Ere His floods of anger flow
Come to Zion, come to Zion
Ere His floods of anger flow
As soon as I got home, I began working on this arrangement. I could hear God—our Father—calling His children to gather. And I couldn’t help but also hear the tender, pleading voice of a Heavenly Mother calling to her children, Israel, to come home: “Come to Zion.”
I heard someone ask the question recently – What if rather than us waiting on the Lord to come and save us… what if He is waiting on us to become a Zion people, “the pure in heart”, so we are ready for Him to come? It was an intrigueing question…
One thing I know is He is calling us to follow Him and that is a higher road paved with His love and sacrifce.🤍
My heartfelt thanks to my oldest daughters for their beautiful recording. ❤️
A special thank you to Olivia Washburn for her beautiful violin recording and Truman Walker for the gorgeous piano accompaniment.
We also are so grateful to Josh Sales for his thoughtful videography and Dave Zimmerman and Daniel Blomberg for their arranging and production.
