In The Hymn of the Pearl,1 our “Once upon a time” begins with:
“When I was a little child, I lived in the Kingdom of my Mother and Father. I delighted in the glory and splendor of my beautiful surroundings and Those who raised me.”
I first encountered these words in an article written by John Welch and James Garrison for F.A.R.M.S. years ago. They described it as an ancient counterpart to “O My Father.”2
Years later, during an Institute class just before COVID, the instructor Mandy Green shared this beautiful hymn with our class. The following Sunday night, as my family gathered, I felt a deep urge to share it with them as well. However, the text was lengthy and fragmented, and I worried I’d lose the little ones’ attention. After everyone left, I had a strong impression to transform it into a children’s book. Though I had never written a book before, the feeling was undeniable. From that moment, I knew this was something I needed to do.
Not long after, I listened to a podcast featuring Mauli Bonner, who was making the movie Green Flake. His words deeply resonated with me: “You do not have to know what you’re doing to do what you have to do.” These words gave me hope and courage to move forward.
While searching for an artist, I discovered the book A Girl’s Guide to Heavenly Mother and was struck by the artwork of Tshikamba. Her piece, Made in Her Image, led me to another of her works, Auset and Heru, depicting a beautiful Egyptian queen and her son—a Heavenly Mother and Son, as I saw it. I immediately knew Melissa Tshikamba had to illustrate the book. I was thrilled when she said, “Yes, this is my thing.”
Because Mandy had reintroduced me to the Hymn, I wanted her to be part of the journey. She graciously contributed the essay in the back. It became a joyful collaboration between the three of us!
The Hymn of the Pearl originates from an apocryphal text called The Acts of Thomas.3 The term “apocryphal” has evolved over the centuries. In early Christian use, it referred to writings read privately rather than in public worship. Such texts were often deemed too profound or sacred for general audiences. While I don’t recommend The Acts of Thomas as a whole, it does contain this beautiful gem.
In the story, Thomas is imprisoned in India, where he has been teaching the gospel. As he prays, those with him ask him to pray for them as well. When he finishes, he begins chanting this hymn.
The hymn begins with a portrayal of a glorious kingdom in the clouds. Susan Cain, in her book Bittersweet, beautifully describes this longing for a heavenly home:
“In the Judeo-Christian tradition, it’s the Kingdom of Heaven; the Sufis call it the Beloved of the Soul. There are countless other names for it: simply home, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ or, as C.S. Lewis called it, ‘the place where all the beauty came from.’ In some fundamental way, we’re all reaching for the heavens.”
The Hymn is a ritual text, designed to teach ascension. In its narrative, Egypt symbolizes the profane world—a place of trial and growth. Through these challenges, one “cuts a covenant,” gaining wisdom and becoming more than they were.
Hugh Nibley, in The Treasure in the Heavens, quotes a non-canonical saying attributed to Jesus:
“If you could see your real image, which came into being before you, then you would be willing to endure anything!”
This resonates with Hafiz’s tender words:
“I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.”
Nibley further explains:
“In the vision given to Joseph Smith in 1832 (D&C 76), it is plain that those who are valiant obtain the crown along with the Son. Here we find the explanation for leaving one’s happy heavenly home for a sojourn in a wicked world. Only by confronting and overcoming the powers of darkness can one claim the highest glory—the kingship itself. Hence the need for the danger and struggle here below.”
The story is traditionally told from the perspective of a boy. With Melissa’s encouragement, we chose to depict our story through the eyes of a girl. My favorite page shows her confronting a sea serpent with all her courage and covenant blessings. Her natural hair flowing powerfully. In that moment, she remembers who she truly is.
This echoes why our prophets and leaders continually remind us of our divine identity. Just as God told Moses, “I have a work for thee… my son,” so too does He have a work for each of us.
President Nelson gave this counsel:
“Ask your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ how He feels about you and your mission here on earth. If you ask with real intent, over time the Spirit will whisper the life-changing truth to you. Record those impressions, review them often, and follow through with exactness. I promise you that when you catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same. Go to the temple and listen. Listen for who you are and what you will do.”
The story of The Hymn of the Pearl is both timeless and timely. What a privilege it has been to bring this beautiful project to life with the help of so many on both sides of the veil!
Footnotes
1.”Hymn of the Pearl,” trans. Werner Foerster, in Gnosis: A Selection of Gnostic Texts, trans. R. McL. Wilson (Oxford: Clarendon, 1972), 355-8.
2. “The ‘Hymn of the Pearl’: An Ancient Counterpart to ‘O My Father,’” by John W. Welch and James V. Garrison, BYU Studies,36/1 (1996-97):127-34
3. “The Acts of Thomas,” trans. R. McL Wilson, in Apocrypha, ed. Wilhelm Schneemelcher (Westminster: John Knox, 1992), 2:380.
