The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm following in His ways.
I'm trying to love as He did
In all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted
To make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen
As the still small voice whispers:
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
I'm trying to love my neighbor.
I'm learning to serve my friends.
I watch for that day of gladness
When Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught,
And the holy spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" is a beautiful hymn that speaks to the desire of individuals to follow in the ways of Jesus. The singer is trying to emulate Jesus of Nazareth by loving others as he did, in all that they do and say. At times, the singer is tempted to make a wrong choice, but they always try to listen to the still small voice, which whispers guidance and direction. The chorus of the song reiterates the importance of showing kindness, being gentle and loving, and doing good deeds as Jesus did.
The second stanza of the song highlights the importance of loving one's neighbor and serving one's friends. The singer eagerly awaits the day of Jesus' return, and in the meantime, they remember and reflect upon the lessons that Jesus taught them. The chorus is repeated once again, with the addition of the Holy Spirit entering into the singer's thoughts, further emphasizing the importance of listening to the still small voice and following Jesus' teachings.
Overall, this song serves as a reminder to individuals of the importance of following Jesus' example by being kind, loving, and selfless in all that they do. It highlights the struggle that individuals may face when trying to make the right choices, but emphasizes the importance of listening to inner guidance to make the best decisions possible.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I strive to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
I'm following in His ways.
I'm walking along the path of righteousness that Jesus Christ laid for us.
I'm trying to love as He did
I endeavor to love others with the selflessness and compassion that Jesus Christ demonstrated.
In all that I do and say.
I aim to bring glory to Jesus Christ through my words and deeds.
At times I am tempted
Occasionally, I am challenged with temptations.
To make a wrong choice,
To choose the wrong path that deviates from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
But I try to listen
Nevertheless, I try to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As the still small voice whispers:
As the voice of the Holy Spirit speaks quietly and directly to my soul:
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Love other people genuinely and unconditionally, just as He loves us.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Every action should reflect kindness and compassion, as taught by Jesus Christ.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
Thoughts and actions should always be characterized by gentleness, kindness, and love, to reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.
For these are the things Jesus taught."
Because these were the primary lessons taught by Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth.
I'm trying to love my neighbor.
I'm striving to be in a good relationship with my neighbor.
I'm learning to serve my friends.
I'm learning to be of help to those close to me.
I watch for that day of gladness
I look forward to the day of joy when Jesus will come again.
When Jesus will come again.
The awaited day when Jesus Christ, the Messiah, returns to earth.
I try to remember the lessons he taught,
I always bear in mind the valuable lessons He taught during His life on earth.
And the holy spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
This allows the Holy Spirit to be represented in my thoughts and speak within me, telling me this:
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Love other people genuinely and unconditionally, just as He loves us.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Every action should reflect kindness and compassion, as taught by Jesus Christ.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
Thoughts and actions should always be characterized by gentleness, kindness, and love, to reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.
For these are the things Jesus taught."
Because these were the primary lessons taught by Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth.
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sasa N
I’m Trying to Be like Jesus
With commitment
1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938
© 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.
Jair Gomes
It´s very hard.. but I´m trying! It´s very hard but everything is possible in Jesus!
I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus
I'm trying to be like Jesus;
I'm following in his ways.
I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
I'm trying to love my neighbor;
I'm learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
Nanik Dasani
I'm trying to be like Jesus;
I'm following in His ways.
I'm trying to love as He did,
In all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted
To make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen
As the still small voice whispers,
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
I'm trying to love my neighbor;
I'm learning to serve my friends.
I watch for that day of gladness
When Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
carl atamanczyk
Just imagine how wonderful and peaceful our entire world would be if everyone followed our Savior's teachings.....
Elicanor S. Boaventura
would be wanderful
Mike escalante
Imagine no AIDS, no deadth people, no stealing any bad thing it would be amazing
cumorah Watson
Amen😊❤
Charles Peek
Oh my goodness that would be wonderful in this world
Chrono Dasher
That's why he only had 12 disciples and thousands of followers
LevelUp Everyday
This song reminds me to keep trying to be a good person, there's no perfect human but there's no wrong on trying to be a good human everyday.
준석
I’m trying to turn away from my sins but MAN, it’s not so easy.. keep finding myself back in the same old hole sometimes deeper. Hopefully the Savior can lift me fully out of it for good one day. 🙏🏼
Andrew Holmes
He always finds a way to help us realize what we can do. Keep trying, keep seeking to do good in this world, and you will find your way out. He will help you as you seek to help yourself!
Heidi Checketts West
joshua, You are an amazing child of God. we are all human. repentance is usually a process, not just a one time thing. having a plan as to what to do when tempted can help, having good friends who will keep you accountable also helps, and having replacement behavior to replace our bad habits will help. You got this. ❤