Occasionally, we can learn a great deal simply from examining word definitions and etymologies.
Consider, for example, the common word of parting, goodbye. It stems from an expression used in the 16th century, a contraction of "God be with ye." Viewed in that light, goodbye takes on a more sublime meaning than we typically apply to it today.
Similar meaning is conveyed in other expressions of parting or farewell in other languages.
For example, adieu, a word with French origin, literally means "to God," a shortened form of a dieu (vous) commant, meaning "I commend (you) to God." The Spanish equivalent of adieu is adios, in Portuguese adeus and in Italian addio. The more formal Spanish expression vaya con Dios has a similar meaning, literally "go with God," comparable to the English Godspeed.
The tradition at parting of commending someone to God's care and keeping is rooted in the scriptures, of course. In fact, adieu is found in the English translation of the Book of Mormon, in Jacob 7:27. Given the tone of Jacob's words at the end of his record, it seems fitting he would close with an expression commending the reader to God, an expression that could appropriately be translated as "adieu."
When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and called him to be the instrument of deliverance for the children of Israel, Moses expressed his feeling of inadequacy. The Lord promised him, "Certainly I will be with thee," which must have conveyed great assurance to Moses, as it surely would have to the Book of Mormon prophet Alma who, like Moses, led his people from bondage (see Mosiah 24:17).
Later, the Lord gave the same promise to Moses' successor, Joshua, who was told, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
"Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:5, 7).
Thus endowed with the constant and mighty presence of God, Joshua was able to inspire the loyalty of the Israelites who pledged, "All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
"According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses" (Joshua 1:16-17).
The strength, prosperity and success that come when one has the companionship of God was a truth understood well by President Brigham Young, a latter-day counterpart to Moses and Joshua.
"The Lord has blessed me," President Young testified on one occasion. "He has always blessed me; from the time I commenced to build up Zion, I have been extremely blessed. I could relate circumstances of so extraordinary a character in regard to the providences of God to me, that my brethren and sisters would say in their hearts, 'I can hardly give credence to this'" (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, p. 115).
A study of God's dealings with His ancient covenant people shows that their problems often stemmed from their forgetting or neglecting to acknowledge God's promise to be with them and their leaders. Notwithstanding they had witnessed great miracles attending their deliverance from bondage — being spared from the plague that killed the firstborn of Egypt, escaping from Pharaoh's hosts, the parting of the Red Sea, the divine provision of water and food in the wilderness — the Israelites murmured and were disobedient. Despite the continual presence of God visible in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, they accused Moses of leading them into the wilderness to die of thirst and starvation. At one point, they even longed for the "flesh pots" of Egypt, indicative of indulgent and lascivious behavior in the land of their captivity.
One is disposed to exclaim, "What a stiff-necked people!" Yet, are we not to some degree inclined to similar neglect when we forget the blessings and spiritual experiences that have attended us in the past, succumb to despair and indulge in murmuring as we encounter the daily annoyances and vicissitudes of life? Latter-day Saints are today's covenant people, the seed of Abraham through whom, as promised, all the nations or families of the earth are to be blessed (see Genesis 12:3; 28:14). With such a weighty blessing and responsibility, surely we might expect the Lord to be with us individually and collectively as we call upon Him continually, and as we turn not to the right or the left in our devotion to the commandments of God and the principles of righteousness.
A beloved hymn of the Latter-day Saints, one that is frequently sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the conclusion of its broadcasts and concerts, gives these words of solace:
"God be with you till we meet again; By his counsels guide, uphold you; With his sheep securely fold you. God be with you till we meet again" (Hymns, No. 152).
May that sentiment ever attend us as we go forward in courage and in the strength of the Lord.
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