The other day I received the following question via the LDSFriends contact form:

“On my way to church today I heard the song ‘Because I have been given much’ on the BYU-I radio station and there was an additional verse with something about because I have been called I too must serve, or something along those lines, really pertaining to going on a mission. Does anyone know the words to that verse? I would love to have them.”

I hadn’t heard that there was a new verse, but apparently there is (though, I am not sure if it is apocryphal or Church sanctioned). Here it is:

“Because I have been blessed Dear Lord, I too must serve.
I’ll leave the comfort of my home to teach Thy word.
I’ll find Thy sheep who’ve gone astray, and those who’ve never known the way,
I’ll make Thy work, my work today.
I shall give love to those in need
I’ll show that love by words and deed.
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.”

The language appears to be Russian, though it could also be Ukrainian or one of the other languages of that family. Talk about using your talents to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! These drawings are phenomenal!! Way to go Elders!

11/30/2009 UPDATE

Shannon, one of our readers, had a friends translate the Elder’s sidewalk art and sent it over:

This is neat. It’s Russian; the verses next to the drawing of the temple are excerpts from 3 Nephi 11:7–11. At the bottom it says: “From the Book of Mormon: A New Testament of Jesus Christ, about 34 A.D.” Under the Greek key design it directs those who have questions to a web site.

The last picture is titled, not surprisingly, ‘Lehi’s Dream.’”

Also, Shannon’s friend further asked:

“The artwork is quite amazing, and I am extremely curious where they are. Do you know the original source? I can’t think of any place in my mission where it would have been well received to produce such a display in a public place, but that was 15 years ago. Or maybe they’re in a smaller town than St. Petersburg.”

If anyone knows the answers please feel free to leave a comment or email Shannon directly (her email is in the comments section of this post). Thanks Shannon!