2 Nephi 18:20
"To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
I was listening to Beethoven's 9th Symphony, specifically the 5th movement where the poem "Ode to Joy" was immortalized. So I thought to myself "you know, I have no idea what that poem says or what it's about (other than joy)," so I decided to look it up. It really is an amazing poem!
Joy, beautiful spark of Gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, fire-imbibed,
Heavenly, thy sanctuary.
Thy magic powers re-unite
What custom's sword has divided
Beggars become Princes' brothers
Where thy gentle wing abides.
Be embraced, millions!
This kiss to the entier world!
Brothers - above the starry canopy
A loving father must dwell.
Whoever has had the great fortune,
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won the love of a devoted wife,
Add his to our jubilation!
Indeed, whoever can call even one sould
His own on this earth!
And whoever was never able to must creep
Tearfully away from this circle.
Those who dwell in the great circle,
Pay homage to sympathy!
It leads to the stars,
Where the Unkown reigns.
Joy all creatures drink
At nature's bosoms;
All, Just and Unjust,
Follow her rose-petalled path.
Kisses she gave us, and Wine,
A friend, proven in death,
Pleasure was given (even) to the worm,
And the Cherub stands before God.
You bow down, millions?
Can you sense the Creator, world?
Seek him above the starry canopy.
Above the stars He must dwell.
Joy is called the strong motivation
In eternal nature.
Joy, joy moves the wheels
In the universal time machine.
Flowers it calls forth from their buds,
Suns from the Firmament,
Spheres it moves far out in Space,
Where our telescopes cannot reach.
Joyful, as His suns are flying.
Across the Firmament's splendid design,
Run, brothers, run your race,
Joyful, as a hero going to conquest.
As truth's fiery reflection
It smiles at the scientist.
To virtue's steep hill
It leads the sufferer on.
Atop faith's lofty summit
One sees its flags in the wind,
Through the cracks of burst-open coffins,
One sees it stand in the angels' chorus.
Endure courageously, millions!
Endure for the better world!
Above the starry canopy
A great God will reward you
Gods one cannot ever repay,
It is beautiful, thought, to be like them.
Sorrow and Poverty, come forth
And rejoice with the Joyful ones.
Anger and revenge be forgotten,
Our deadly enemy be forgiven,
Not one tear shall he shed anymore,
No feeling of remorse shall pain him.
The account of our misdeeds to be destroyed!
Reconciled the entire world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
God judges as we judged.
Joy is bubbling in the glasses,
Through the grapes' golden blood
Cannibals drink gentleness,
And despair drinks courage--
Brothers, fly from your seats,
When the full rummer is going around,
Let the foam gush up to heaven.
This glass to the good spirit.
He whom star clusters adore,
The whom the Seraphs' hymn praises,
This glass to him, the good spirit,
Above the starry canopy!
Resolve and courage for great suffering,
Help there, where innocence weeps,
Eternally may last all sworn Oaths,
Truth towards friend and enemy,
Men's pride before Kings' thrones--
Brothers, even if it meant our Life and blood,
Give the crowns to those who earn them,
Defeat the pack of liars!
Close the holy circle tighter,
Swear by this golden wine:
To remain true to the Oath,
Swear it by the Judge above the stars!
Delivery from tyrants' chains,
Generosity also towards the villain,
Hope on the deathbeds,
Mercy from the final judge!
Also the dead shall live!
Brothers, drink and chime in,
All sinners shall be forgiven,
And hell shall be no more.
A serene hour of farewell!
Sweet rest in the shroud!
Brothers -- a mild sentence
From the mouth of the final judge!
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