Distant Land | The Tabernacle Choir

Purchase "Distant Land" from the album "Spirit of America":
Amazon: amzn.to/QJDqpy
iTunes: bit.ly/XeY4RR
Deseret Book: bit.ly/Wqktw3
LDS Store: bit.ly/Qj9f72
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square present "Distant Land" composed and lyrics by John Rutter.
Episode 4315. May 27, 2012

[@kellypexton8511]

Freedom is never free. May we always remember those, who sacrificed all, that we may live and speak, freely and peacefully.

[@michaelholland724]

I had the opportunity to take charge of the fallen soldiers from the church to the grave. (HONOR GUARD). Several times while in the Army. (Retired). Distant lands brings me to tears of the lost of lives. And the freedom that is being destroyed.

[@quadehansen3598]

I see a distant land: it shines so clear. Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near. Come, join together, take the dusty road; Help one another: share the heavy load. The journey may be long: no end in sight: There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight: But if you’ll take my hand, We’ll walk together toward the land of freedom, freedom, freedom. I hear a distant song: it fills the air. I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer: ‘O Lord, we are many; help us to be one. Heal our divisions: let thy will be done.’ I know the time will come when war must cease: A time of truth and love, a time of peace. The people cry, ‘How long? Till all our world can join the song of freedom, freedom. I touch a distant hand and feel its glow, The hand I hoped was there: at last I know. Swords into ploughshares: can it all be true? Friends out of strangers: start with me and you. I see another time, another place Where we can all be one, one human race. The walls will melt away, We’ll come together on the day of freedom, freedom, freedom.

[@arizonastrip73]

Nearly seventy years ago this very month I was stationed on the DMZ in South Korea. Six months later the action had calmed and we were at a kind of peace. My friend and I borrowed shotguns and went searching for the elusive Mongolian pheasant. I will never forget the look on the papasan's face as we gave him all the birds we had taken. Where-ever you are dear sir. I thank you for your giving a couple of lonely GIs permission to tread on your sacred ground and for giving us that moment when you smiled and beamed and shared the warmth of human kindness.

[@anthonyseymour4651]

I find this recording very heart rending, as served in Northern Ireland, during the troubles and went on to serve in the Falklands, and during those years the most moving were the parades for the dead. R.I.P.

[@anthonyseymour4651]

May our Lord never forget those who die in war, nor the ones who are left behind. God prepares a place for all, who repent their sins and follow him.

[@MatthewIanLewis]

from a musical perspective, few groups are as close to perfect as the mormon tabernacle choir, bravo

[@nellgurr6046]

Thanks to all who serve this country to preserve our freedom and thanks to a loving Heavenly Father who gave it to us. I am so grateful to live here in America.

[@deetucker5748]

A most beautiful tribute to our Fallen Warriors with the heavenly sounds of voices.

[@jennygrotemeyer9722]

This is beautiful, hauntingly so. Truth though is there will be no peace until Christ comes and there will still be a final battle after 1,000 years of peace. Good verses evil, and evil will not be vanquished until then. So this beautiful song makes me sad. We all would prefer peace, but it’s a long, long way off.

[@kthompson9572]

Saying Thank You for your service is not adequate to the sacrifices all our Veterans have made for this Country, but Thank You Steven, for yours today, and always. I rededicate this song to you and all others for your service to this Nation. my heart is full today with love for all of you, add well as my Uncles, Brothers, and Sons who've been part of keeping us free.

[@abbyfultz1001]

Thank God for veterans!!!!! Happy Veterans Day! My dad served for for 22 years and I am so grateful for my amazing fatherly example. Thanks also to military families!

[@anamonos2605]

BEAUTIFUL .IS DEDICATED TO ALL ARE AMERICANS BRAVE MANS AND WOMAN GOD BLESS YOU ALL LOVE A NAVY WIFE WIDOW.

[@JimMaslowski620]

God bless you Ana

[@ramonbetancourth2943]

Freedom freedom around the world.

[@jennifergriffiths3941]

When my husband “went to war” in Vietnam he went with the intent of saving and protecting as many lives as he possibly could regardless of which side that or those life/lives was/were. He prayed morning-noon-and night-he read his scriptures every single day-many of the ops that he had to personally oversee or carry out he devised a plan of action that would protect rather than destroy life. His CO’s were more often than not red faced about his objections as he always would make sure that his objections were aired to the proper authority (on earth) wherever he was. He was -at first- scoffed at and outright ridiculed for his efforts and his views -which he never imposed upon anybody else- but in the end- more men, not even in his platoon would offer their help in any op that he was commanding because, as they would tell him, “I’ll go with you any time Sargent, because you bring your men back alive!” He was continually humbled by the faith others placed in him. It caused him to strive to be constantly in tune with The Holy Spirit so as to make sure he was taking the proper care and right actions no matter what his original orders were. He experienced the hell of war daily but also had the sublime peace and comfort of our Lord and Savior’s Spirit with him to see him through. He did not agree with the US presence in Vietnam but he also felt that by honoring his draft notice he might be able to help somehow in a peaceful way. He received many opportunities to do just that-whether by just keeping safe those young soldiers that truly couldn’t cope well or were ill equipped with the necessary wherewithal to manage on their own-he had abundant opportunities to make sure his men survived safely hopefully to return home again. That I was one of the more difficult things to deal with for him-he would make sure 24/7 that his men were safe but when they or he would receive new orders or transfers to other areas, and he knew that they would be going into a difficult area or under difficult command that was more “looking for promotions” oriented-that was tough for him to see his men go and he wasn’t able/allowed any info on how they were faring or if they even survived. He spent much time in Cambodia, a country and people he came to love. They loved and trusted him as well. Vietnam was a corporate war. Using innocents to do the dirty work of big banks and world corporations. It was ended when the fat cats weren’t getting as good a return on their investments anymore-not because it was a good thing to pull out. The way that war was handled was demoralizing for the peon-soldiers that had to live in the dirty-work of fat-cat world-corporations. Thankfully he came home intact. It took a few years to get back the man that had “gone to war”- parts of a person are changed forever.

[@SpiritGuide11111]

Thank you for sharing your story. War does change every person it touches. If he had no spirit it wouldn’t. My husband was military support for 5 years in a war zone and it took about a year to just not have him wake up every 10 minutes. The sacrifice is great for all those who do it and I truly believe that only through Christ can their hearts be healed to the best way here on earth. We have family members that some things just will not be taken away till the next life, I thank your husband for such a long stretch of service and everyone will want to be his neighbor during the tribulations 😊 No better training then what he has gone through. God Bless Him and your Family! Faith, Family and Country ❤️

[@Nyck461]

Very moving song. Personally I do not like a lot of scenery with music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir but this one was very good for the kind of song.

[@warrendavies9827]

John Rutter at his sublime best!! Beautiful performance!

[@zZ-fb1ub]

USA, you are the doors of kingdom of God

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Listening to this song makes me beg the question "what has happened to our country?"

[@lisaholt3252]

Our Liverpool Community Chorus was introduced to "Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones in one our concerts in 2016. This year, our church; First United Church of East Syracuse is singing this on our Memorial Day Service.

[@FFrost01]

beautiful dedication grateful to the church n our Prophet for always remembering all those who sacrifice their lives for others. God bless them n their families

[@FFrost01]

lovely song it brings tears to my eyes every time I watch this video thank you for your beautiful voice

[@lindasampson7023]

Our choir sang this piece this morning. We learned it for this Sunday, September 6, 2015, because of its proximity to September 11. It grew on me as we learned it. It turns out that not only did it fit with the readings of the day, but with all of the Syrian refugees fleeing war there, it was even more apropos.

[@anthonyjeromeadams3630]

Yes, very moving. Perfectly performed.

[@quadehansen3598]

Concert) Posted on 2014/04/29 by Kaori Lyrics: I see a distant land: it shines so clear. Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near. Come, join together, take the dusty road; Help one another: share the heavy load. The journey may be long: no end in sight: There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight: But if you’ll take my hand, We’ll walk together toward the land of freedom, freedom, freedom. I hear a distant song: it fills the air. I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer: ‘O Lord, we are many; help us to be one. Heal our divisions: let thy will be done.’ I know the time will come when war must cease: A time of truth and love, a time of peace. The people cry, ‘How long? Till all our world can join the song of freedom, freedom. I touch a distant hand and feel its glow, The hand I hoped was there: at last I know. Swords into ploughshares: can it all be true? Friends out of strangers: start with me and you. I see another time, another place Where we can all be one, one human race. The walls will melt away, We’ll come together on the day of freedom, freedom, freedom

[@yesitsdauzie]

Chills. What a great song.

[@beatricebecker3251]

I am really enjoying singing this piece for our Patriotic Concert at Trietch United Memorial Church on July 5, 2015!

[@normagilpin7841]

Glorious music, glorious choir!!!

[@bettyallen9044]

simply beautiful, tears to my eyes

[@larsgrass1899]

we sang this in community choir, it is a beautiful song.

[@moxeyjc]

Beautiful.

[@peoplegardener]

Spellbinding

[@relaxoterapia168]

Refletivo...

[@donlawrence5818]

The human race, left to its own vices, like each of us, can be greedy, petty, jealous and short sited. The best manner by which to constrain these vices would be for us to act justly in our dealings with other humans and all things in our universe. We can be inspired to do this intellectually because we understand the outcome of bad behavior or because we have a relationship with deity or both. Whether secular or non secular, the intent of this song is to ask us as individuals to care, share and follow the well documented examples of Jesus Christ. Wherein we may have peace in this existence or that which is to come. It remains to us as individuals to see that we are in fact, one human race. Sons and daughters Devine. Until we internalize peace we will have nations and military forces because our security and peace would otherwise be taken. Whether secular or not, a “personal revelation” that change begins within by first imagining peace and then acting individually toward it is what Ritter is teaching us. If you lack this wisdom, ask of God who gives freely and will never make you feel ignorant or small for your asking for this wisdom. God is love. Mankind will find peace. When? That’s really up to you.

[@sorensimonsen7528]

I think using this song to promote U.S. nationalism is a patriotic misappropriation. If you listen carefully to the words, it's talking about the unification of humanity as one family. It is anti-war (swords into plowshares) and anti nationalist (walls melt away). I love the message of the song and this beautiful performance by the Choir. The images in the video completely miss the point and contradict the message. The unity expounded in the message of the song does not come from military action.

[@JimMaslowski620]

I agree with you 100% Soren at this time right now this song strikes my soul and that of many. God bless you always.

[@ellenpoulter935]

the song was also written to commemorate the liberation of Nelson Mandela and the removal of the Berlin wall and had no intention to be directed to the united states

[@kenton6804]

That's why they showed caskets and solemn reverence for the dead and those stuggling in far away places; the dream is that death in war and the sufferings of it will end. I agree that it could have been used differently, but this country exists because the people broke away from a despotic country, and their soldiers paid the price for that freedom. It's true though, warfare will not bring that long hoped for peace; changed hearts will. However, in some circumstances, it does take violence to free the innocent from violent people. It is a road that must be very carefully tread however... Too many are found too often on the wrong side of it.

[@MrHFMetz]

The video is disgrace. Most US action in distant lands in modern times (with the exception of WW II) has led to tragedies of enormous proportions, like the wars in Vietnam and Iraq.You Mormons are so naive; for me, being a Mormon myself, this beautiful song has nothing to do with violence but everything with the missionary work.Read the Book of Mormon and see what it has to say about going to war outside your own borders.

[@cycan3809]

I will. And I will also read the Book of Mormon and see again what it has to say about the dangers of lifting myself up in pride and railing on others, and I hope that in so doing I'll find a way to be a little more generous, tolerant, and forgiving of my fellow Mormons.

[@6460471]

MrHFMetz judging a bit are we?

[@claudeboisseau2792]

I agree with this point of view. As a french mormon i desagree with the french politics following the nato led by the usa going to par in foreign countries where se are nothing to do.

[@quadehansen3598]

Try Captain Moroni!