Come to Zion

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, and 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.

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.”

One thing I know is that He is calling us to follow Him, and that is a higher road paved with His love and sacrifice.

My heartfelt thanks to my oldest daughters for their beautiful recording, to Olivia Washburn for her violin, Truman Walker for the piano, Josh Sales for videography, and Dave Zimmerman and Daniel Blomberg for arranging and production.