{"id":43655,"date":"2022-10-17T07:26:41","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T12:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.timesandseasons.org\/?p=43655"},"modified":"2023-06-20T12:25:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T19:25:44","slug":"por-que-somos-mexican-mission-hymns-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2022\/10\/por-que-somos-mexican-mission-hymns-part-5\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos?: Mexican Mission Hymns, Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Father knows and loves His children all over the world, from Boston to Okinawa, from San Antonio to Spain, from Italy to Costa Rica. In Ghana, President Gordon B. Hinckley recently thanked the Lord \u201cfor the brotherhood that exists among us, that neither color of skin nor land of birth can separate us as Thy sons and daughters.\u201d \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

We come to this world in many colors, shapes, sizes, and circumstances. We don\u2019t have to be rich, tall, thin, brilliant, or beautiful to be saved in the kingdom of God\u2014only pure. We need to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. And we can all choose to do that regardless of where we live or what we look like.[1]<\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

~Clate W. Mask Jr.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note: This is a part of an ongoing series, the Mexico Mission Hymns Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hymn Text:<\/h1>\n

The hymn \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos?<\/a> by Edmund W. Richardson was initially published in the 1912 edition of Himnos de Sion <\/em>(see Figure 1).\u00a0 It is one of the three hymns that were written originally in Spanish that are included in the 1992 Spanish hymnal.\u00a0 The hymn has also been included in the Portuguese hymnal as \u201cDe que rumo v\u00eam os homens\u201d, though it is not included in the current hymnbook in that language.\u00a0 The original publication indicated that it should be sung to the tune of hymn 50 in <\/a>Songs of Zion<\/em><\/a>, which was ELIZA by Joseph J. Daynes (the tune used in English for \u201cLord, Accept Our True Devotion\u201d).\u00a0 There have been some changes to the text over they years (see Table 1).<\/p>\n

\"\"
Figure 1. \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos? in the 1912 edition of Himnos de Sion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Figure 1. <\/strong>\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos? in the 1912 edition of Himnos de Sion<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Table 1<\/strong>. The text of \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos? in different hymn books over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1912 Himnos de Sion<\/em><\/td>\n1942 Himnos de Sion<\/em><\/td>\n1992 Himnos<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfHacia d\u00f3nde van los hombres,<\/p>\n

Y aqu\u00ed de d\u00f3nde son?<\/p>\n

\u00bfQui\u00e9n los puso en el mundo,<\/p>\n

Y aqu\u00ed, por qu\u00e9 est\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

Yo contesto: Dios el Padre,<\/p>\n

E que hizo todo ser,<\/p>\n

P\u00fasolos aqu\u00ed en carne,<\/p>\n

A obrar su perfecci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

\u00bfHacia d\u00f3nde van los hombres,<\/p>\n

Y aqu\u00ed de d\u00f3nde son?<\/p>\n

\u00bfQui\u00e9n los puso en el mundo,<\/p>\n

Y aqu\u00ed, por qu\u00e9 est\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

Yo contesto: Dios el Padre,<\/p>\n

E que hizo todo ser,<\/p>\n

P\u00fasolos aqu\u00ed en carne,<\/p>\n

A obrar su perfecci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

\u00bfHacia d\u00f3nde van los hombres,<\/p>\n

y de d\u00f3nde provendr\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

\u00bfQui\u00e9n los puso en el mundo,<\/p>\n

y aqu\u00ed por qu\u00e9 est\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

Yo contesto: Dios el Padre,<\/p>\n

el autor de la Creaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\u00c9l los puso en el mundo<\/p>\n

a labrar su perfecci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Aunque no se perfeccionen,<\/p>\n

Se espera progresi\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

El que poco, pues, progrese,<\/p>\n

Poco es su galard\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Para \u00e9l que no progrese,<\/p>\n

Hay mayor condenaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

El que peque prefiriendo,<\/p>\n

Para tal, no hay perd\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

Aunque no se perfeccionan,<\/p>\n

Se espera progresi\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

El que poco, pues, progrese,<\/p>\n

Poco es su galard\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Para el que no progrese<\/p>\n

Hay mayor condenaci\u00f3n,<\/p>\n

El que peque, prefiriendo,<\/p>\n

Para tal, no hay perd\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

Aunque no se perfeccionen,<\/p>\n

se espera progresi\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

para quien progrese poco,<\/p>\n

ser\u00e1 poco el galard\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Para el que no progrese<\/p>\n

hay mayor condenaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

el que no se arrepienta<\/p>\n

no podr\u00e1 tener perd\u00f3n.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Que cayera nuestro padre<\/p>\n

Por el fruto del Ed\u00e9n,<\/p>\n

Esto Dioses decretaron,<\/p>\n

Todo fu\u00e9 por nuestro bien;<\/p>\n

Y que Cristo expiara,<\/p>\n

Fu\u00e9 tambi\u00e9n Eterno Plan,<\/p>\n

Que existe desde antes<\/p>\n

Que el mundo y Adam.<\/td>\n

Que cayera nuestro padre<\/p>\n

Por el fruto del Ed\u00e9n;<\/p>\n

Esto, Dioses decretaron,<\/p>\n

Todo fu\u00e9 por nuestro bien.<\/p>\n

Y que Cristo exp\u00efara,<\/p>\n

Fu\u00e9 tambi\u00e9n eterno plan,<\/p>\n

Que existe desde antes<\/p>\n

Que el mundo y Ad\u00e1n.<\/td>\n

Que cayeran nuestros padres<\/p>\n

por el fruto del Ed\u00e9n,<\/p>\n

fue planeado en los cielos;<\/p>\n

todo fue por nuestro bien.<\/p>\n

Y la Expiaci\u00f3n de Cristo,<\/p>\n

parte fue de ese plan<\/p>\n

que los Dioses presentaron<\/p>\n

en el mundo premortal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

M\u00e1s que lucros mundanales,<\/p>\n

Yo prefiero salvaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

Para ella se requiere<\/p>\n

Obras, fe, abnegaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Ya despu\u00e9s aprenderemos<\/p>\n

M\u00e1s del gran Eterno Plan;<\/p>\n

Esta vida, finalmente,<\/p>\n

Vida es, de probaci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

M\u00e1s que lucros mundanales,<\/p>\n

Yo prefiero salvaci\u00f3n,<\/p>\n

Para ello se requiere:<\/p>\n

Obras, fe, abnegaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Y despu\u00e9s aprenderemos<\/p>\n

M\u00e1s del gran eterno plan,<\/p>\n

Esta vida, finalmente,<\/p>\n

Vida es, de probaci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

M\u00e1s que lucros mundanales,<\/p>\n

quiero la exaltaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

para ello se requieren<\/p>\n

obras y abnegaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Ya despu\u00e9s aprenderemos<\/p>\n

m\u00e1s del plan de salvaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

esta vida, finalmente,<\/p>\n

vida es de probaci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The author, Edmund Wilford Richardson (1884 – 1974), was discussed previously as the most prolific author of original Spanish hymns in the Mexican Mission hymnals, authoring 10 out of the 23 original hymns in the 1912 edition.\u00a0 He was serving as a missionary in the Mexican Mission when the 1912 edition was printed, so may have written this hymn during his time as a missionary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Table 2. <\/strong>My translation of \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos?, based primarily on the 1992 edition of the hymn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1992 Himnos<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nProse English Translation<\/strong><\/td>\nPoetic English Translation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00bfHacia d\u00f3nde van los hombres,<\/p>\n

y de d\u00f3nde provendr\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

\u00bfQui\u00e9n los puso en el mundo,<\/p>\n

y aqu\u00ed por qu\u00e9 est\u00e1n?<\/p>\n

Yo contesto: Dios el Padre,<\/p>\n

el autor de la Creaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\u00c9l los puso en el mundo<\/p>\n

a labrar su perfecci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

Where do men go,<\/p>\n

and where will they come from?<\/p>\n

Who put them in the world,<\/p>\n

and why are they here?<\/p>\n

I answer: God the Father,<\/p>\n

the author of Creation.<\/p>\n

He put them in the world<\/p>\n

to work His perfection.<\/td>\n

Where do we go after dying?<\/p>\n

Where did we come from at birth?<\/p>\n

Who put people on this planet?<\/p>\n

Why are we here on this earth?<\/p>\n

This I answer: God the Father,<\/p>\n

Author of all things throughout.<\/p>\n

He put people on this planet,<\/p>\n

Our perfection to work out.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Aunque no se perfeccionen,<\/p>\n

se espera progresi\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

para quien progrese poco,<\/p>\n

ser\u00e1 poco el galard\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Para el que no progrese<\/p>\n

hay mayor condenaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

el que no se arrepienta<\/p>\n

no podr\u00e1 tener perd\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

Even if they are not perfected,<\/p>\n

progression is expected;<\/p>\n

for those who progress little,<\/p>\n

The award will be little.<\/p>\n

For the one who does not progress<\/p>\n

there is greater condemnation;<\/p>\n

the one who does not repent<\/p>\n

Can not have forgiveness.<\/td>\n

Even if we aren\u2019t perfected,<\/p>\n

Progress is expected here;<\/p>\n

Those who make but little progress,<\/p>\n

Their reward will be austere.<\/p>\n

Then for those who do not progress<\/p>\n

There will come severe reproof:<\/p>\n

For the one who\u2019s not repentant,<\/p>\n

God\u2019s forgiveness is aloof.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Que cayeran nuestros padres<\/p>\n

por el fruto del Ed\u00e9n,<\/p>\n

fue planeado en los cielos;<\/p>\n

todo fue por nuestro bien.<\/p>\n

Y la Expiaci\u00f3n de Cristo,<\/p>\n

parte fue de ese plan<\/p>\n

que los Dioses presentaron<\/p>\n

en el mundo premortal.<\/td>\n

That our parents fell<\/p>\n

for the fruit of Eden,<\/p>\n

it was planned in the heavens;<\/p>\n

everything was for our good.<\/p>\n

And the Atonement of Christ,<\/p>\n

Was part of that plan<\/p>\n

that the Gods presented<\/p>\n

in the premortal world.<\/td>\n

Eve and Adam fell in Eden,<\/p>\n

For the fruit of that blessed wood:<\/p>\n

This was planned above in heaven;<\/p>\n

Everything was for our good.<\/p>\n

The Atonement of our Savior<\/p>\n

Also was part of that plan<\/p>\n

That the Godhead once presented,<\/p>\n

Long before this life began.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

M\u00e1s que lucros mundanales,<\/p>\n

quiero la exaltaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

para ello se requieren<\/p>\n

obras y abnegaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Ya despu\u00e9s aprenderemos<\/p>\n

m\u00e1s del plan de salvaci\u00f3n;<\/p>\n

esta vida, finalmente,<\/p>\n

vida es de probaci\u00f3n.<\/td>\n

More than mundane profits,<\/p>\n

I want the exaltation;<\/p>\n

for this they are required<\/p>\n

works and self-denial.<\/p>\n

Later we will learn<\/p>\n

more of the plan of salvation;<\/p>\n

this life, in the end,<\/p>\n

life is probation.<\/td>\n

More than gaining worldly lucre,<\/p>\n

Exaltation I desire.<\/p>\n

Righteous works and self-denial<\/p>\n

For this blessing They require.<\/p>\n

In the future, we will learn more:<\/p>\n

The Plan of Salvation known;<\/p>\n

Ultimately, mortal life is<\/p>\n

A probation for a throne.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Music:<\/h1>\n

Here is what the music might have appeared like if printed together with the text in 1912.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n\n

And here it is with the English translation:<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

New Music:<\/h1>\n

This was actually one of the hymns I submitted for consideration with the new hymnal.\u00a0 My wife didn\u2019t care for the dorian-mode tonality with it, but I like it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.timesandseasons.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Por-que-somos-my-music.wav<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

And here is my music with my translation:<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Footnotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> Clate W. Mask Jr., \u201cStanding Spotless before the Lord,\u201d CR April 2004, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2004\/04\/standing-spotless-before-the-lord.p23?lang=eng<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

The text of this post is available for modification and reuse under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our Father knows and loves His children all over the world, from Boston to Okinawa, from San Antonio to Spain, from Italy to Costa Rica. In Ghana, President Gordon B. Hinckley recently thanked the Lord \u201cfor the brotherhood that exists among us, that neither color of skin nor land of birth can separate us as Thy sons and daughters.\u201d \u2026 We come to this world in many colors, shapes, sizes, and circumstances. We don\u2019t have to be rich, tall, thin, brilliant, or beautiful to be saved in the kingdom of God\u2014only pure. We need to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. And we can all choose to do that regardless of where we live or what we look like.[1] ~Clate W. Mask Jr.   Note: This is a part of an ongoing series, the Mexico Mission Hymns Project. Hymn Text: The hymn \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 somos? by Edmund W. Richardson was initially published in the 1912 edition of Himnos de Sion (see Figure 1).\u00a0 It is one of the three hymns that were written originally in Spanish that are included in the 1992 Spanish hymnal.\u00a0 The hymn has also been included in the Portuguese hymnal as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10397,"featured_media":43657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,2909,2913,2912],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-doctrine","category-hymns","category-mexico","category-mexico-mission-hymns"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/M285.2_H99SPA_1912b_f0001_item_60-Words_only_Includes_index-scaled.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10397"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43655"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45065,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43655\/revisions\/45065"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}