A beautiful, sacred hymn with music by Kevin G. Pace and text by Arturo Mendoza. This hymn tenderly recounts Joseph Smith’s First Vision, portraying the moment of divine revelation as a journey from darkness to light. Each verse traces Joseph’s struggle in the Sacred Grove—his fear, his faith, and the overwhelming darkness that preceded God’s answer. The text captures both the human vulnerability of Joseph’s prayer and the celestial triumph that followed, when the Father and the Son appeared. The chorus broadens this message into a universal promise: though darkness may surround us, it cannot endure. Through faith in Christ, heaven’s light will guide, strengthen, and ultimately save every seeking soul.

YouTube video: Joseph Smith's Prayer, hymn

Text:
1. Before the grove knew light profound,
It was where young Joseph's fear was found.
God did not stop the dark that day,
For He knew Joseph would kneel to pray.

2. God knew that Christ would soon appear,
God knew a heavy heart drew near.
The greatest work was soon to start
A dawn of light swelled within his heart.

3. Yet still the darkness wrapped him tight,
A shadow pressing out the light.
It gathered thick, it threatened doom,
As if destruction had filled the room.

4. I do not know why night was there,
But this I know - God heard his prayer.
For when he felt he could pray no more
The holy Father and Son appeared.

5. So when our nights feel bleak and long,
And shadows try to still our song,
We must remember Joseph's case:
Before the grove was a sacred place.

Chorus:
The darkness falls, but cannot stay.
For heaven's light will show the way.
When shadows press and hope seems lost,
The Savior saves, no soul is lost.