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Our world is in a state of confusion, difficulty and moral digression. The current climate we live in often creates a challenging and unsettling environment in which each of us and our families must live, grow, prosper and endure. As time goes on, we seem to face more and more difficult and disheartening developments and challenges – as individuals, as families, as a Church and as a society. Many members of the Church consistently weather the storms with unfailing faith and an unwavering determination to hold to what’s right, and to live according to the revealed truths of the restored gospel.

However, as the challenges mount and the moral climate continues to erode, more and more once-faithful followers fall away from the gospel and distance themselves from the Church. And those moving away from the gospel aren’t just the less-active, the family in our neighborhood we don’t really know that well anyway, or the estranged member who hasn’t attended in years. Those who are wandering include our dearest friends, our brothers, our sisters, our parents, our sons and our daughters. Occasionally even those we once considered stalwart and unshakable encounter difficulties, doctrines and decisions that they simply cannot personally reconcile, and they leave the safety of the gospel and its truths and wander away. Sometimes they are gone for a season, and they return joyously. Sometimes they stay away for years and years, and then return, ready to re-embrace the things they have shunned for so long. And sometimes, sadly, they never return.

It’s likely we all know someone who has struggled within the gospel – whether or not they have wandered or actually left for a time. Those who have witnessed as a family member has struggled and then left the church know of the deep sorrow this can bring to entire families. However, as the parable of the Prodigal Son in the New Testament teaches us, it is never too late for anyone who has left and abandoned the things they once believed in to return home again. It’s also important for us waiting at home to remember – those of us who wait and watch and hope – that we should never stop praying, loving, hoping, and exerting our faith and prayers on behalf of the prodigal son or daughter.

In his April 2015 General Conference address, Elder Brent H. Nielsen of the Seventy teaches us this principle plainly and beautifully, and he shares a touching personal experience with a prodigal family member. He shares how his once-faithful and devoted sister lost her own faith and left the Church for many years. But through the unconditional love, acceptance and faithful prayers of her family and loved ones, she eventually “came to herself” and realized the blessings she had been missing away from the gospel. She returned to full activity in the Church and went on to receive her temple blessings.

Referencing the parable of the Prodigal, Elder Nielsen shares with us: “The Savior’s words in the parable as He describes the father greeting his prodigal son are powerful, and I believe they may be the description of the experience you and I will have with the Father when we return to our heavenly home. They teach us of a father who loves, waits, and watches. These are the words of the Savior: “When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 ).

I’m one who has known the heartache of seeing someone I love wander away from and leave the truths of the gospel. I have seen close friends and even family members make decisions that I don’t understand or agree with, and I’ve watched helplessly as they have chosen to abandon things they held sacred and dear their entire lives. Some have left for a brief period of time and returned. Some have left and never looked back. But like Elder Nielsen, I have personal experienced the parable of the prodigal son with a loved one, and I know of the emotions and tender feelings that come through such an experience. The feelings of joy, happiness and deep gratitude that flow freely when a loved-one returns are often overwhelming and faith-promoting for all involved.

Those experiences in my life, and the beautiful personal story shared by Elder Nielsen, inspired the setting and the lyrics of the song “Faithful,” which reflect the feelings and expressions of the people in my life who wandered and returned, and who have personally expressed gratitude for those who never gave up on them, never quit praying and hoping and asking for miracles.

FAITHFUL

I look at this long and lonely path

One that led me far away from everything I had

And though I had so much laid at my feet

Sometimes you have to taste the bitter, to know the sweet

You saved me

Until I knew my heart was ready

And I could finally let you in

You kept praying, always waiting for me to find myself again

For all the times I turned away, in my heart I know

You were there, you were true and faithful

I gave you every reason to let go

Convinced myself I’d lost my chance of ever coming home

I had to learn my lessons my own way

But even through my pride I felt the warmth of your embrace

And found His grace

Chorus

Faithful… just as He is faithful

When my blinded eyes can’t see

Faithful… just as He is faithful

When no one else can rescue me

You prayed for me, He rescued me

Chorus

Well known song writers and musical arrangers, Wayne Burton and Tyler Castleton are the creators of the brand new album “By the Voice of My Servants: Songs Inspired by the Messages of General Conference” released to LDS bookstores and iTunes just in time for our spring conference. The album features 10 new songs tied to well known talks and quotes, and 10 favorite singers performing them. Visit www.bythevoiceofmyservants.com

Tyler Castleton is known for his production work with many well known artists including Hilary Weeks, Beyond 5, and his well known EFY albums. His songs are some of the most known in the church. Wayne Burton has six solo albums and has written many award winning songs including a first place finish in the LDS church’s annual world-wide song submission. He also received the Pearl Award for LDS male artist of the year.