Building Zion Amidst Persecution- Joseph Smith

They pursue me with no cause to try
Without the least shadow of true justice
Coloring falsehoods with the blackest dye
Getting a rise out of their pretense

Deep water is what I am wont to swim in
Peril, I am called to crawl through always
I have seen envy and wrath all of my days
Judged, for good or bad I am famed

But all of this is second nature to me
A small price for the building of Zion

Like Paul who gloried in tribulation

Deliverance he kept his sights on

Let all the saints rejoice

Glad in cause of Israel

God's path is forever choice

Yes, with faith we cannot fail

Let His work continue

Each in their appointed place

And if some persecute you

Through faith, 

You will be saved by grace

So many are in need of light
It is not just about those around us

There are those on the other side

Awaiting the presence of Jesus

[Verse 1] They pursue me with no cause to try Without the least shadow of true justice Coloring falsehoods with the blackest dye Getting a rise out of their pretense "Deep water is what I am wont to swim in" Peril, I am called to crawl through always I have seen envy and wrath all of my days Judged, for good or bad I am famed [Pre-Chorus] But all of this is second nature to me A small price for the building of Zion Like Paul who gloried in tribulation Deliverance he kept his sights on [Chorus] Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel God's path is forever choice Yes, with faith we cannot fail Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel Let His work continue Each in their appointed place [Verse 2] And if some persecute you Through faith, You will be saved by grace I will not bow to what they say I will not trade my steadfast way Deep water is what I am wont to swim in Peril, I am called to crawl through always I have seen envy and wrath all of my days Judged, for good or bad I am famed [Pre-Chorus] But all of this is second nature to me A small price for the building of Zion Like Paul who gloried in tribulation Deliverance he kept his sights on [Chorus] Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel God's path is forever choice Yes, with faith we cannot fail Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel Let His work continue Each in their appointed place [Bridge] Though they raise their voices high Still Your promise will remain Through the furnace and the flood I am held within Your name [Final Chorus] Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel God's path is forever choice Yes, with faith we cannot fail Let all the saints rejoice And be glad in Israel Let His work continue Each in their appointed place

• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
• https://sacred-texts.com/mor/dc/dc127.htm

• 127. Letter from Joseph Smith to the Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, September 1, 1842.
  History of the Church 5:142-44.