Songwriting is the act of baring one's soul to another in the form of words and music.
Hello! “I Believe in Christ” is a suggested hymn to go along with the Book of Mormon lesson “We Rejoice in Christ” studying 2 Nephi 20–25. This is a vocal solo arrangement of an amazing LDS hymn written by Bruce R. McConkie. I love the personal and strong testimony of Jesus Christ that this song conveys. The free sheet music for this arrangement can be found here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/
Hello! “How Great Thou Art” is the suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “O How Great the Plan of Our God” studying 2 Nephi 6–10. This is one of the most well-loved and popular hymns among the Christian world. It is based on an original Swedish poem titled “O Store Gud” written in 1885 by Carl Boberg. The English version of the hymn is a loose translation by the English missionary Stuart K. Hine.
Hello! Praise to the Man is a suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness” studying 2 Nephi 3–5. This section includes a prophecy about the Prophet Joseph Smith which is pretty astounding!
This arrangement is a vocal duet with an added “chorus” to the original hymn. Melinda Spence recorded and filmed this song with me and did such an amazing job at learning the part I sent her and recording it with me! We had a lot of fun doing it. The text comes from an anonymous older poem set to music in 1937 by Roger L. Miller. This hymn might be less familiar to some people in The Church of Jesus Christ because it isn’t sung as often as some of the others, but the song has a beautiful melody and an important message. The sheet music for this arrangement can be found here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/
Hello! “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” is a suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “I Will Prepare the Way before You” studying 1 Nephi 16–22. As I was arranging this hymn, the lyrics truly touched me and brought tears to my eyes. I had never thought before about how personal and heart wrenching these lyrics really are. I am glad the Come Follow Me lesson offers this as a hymn to go with this lesson. There are so many ups and downs that happen for Lehi’s family during these sections. They all have to endure much, and as they do, (some enduring better than others) they are able to accomplish their journey with the Lord leading them, helping them and comforting them all along the way.
Hello! The Iron Rod is a suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God” studying 1 Nephi 11–15. I decided to create a lyric video that may be useful for people. I kept the melody and rhythm the same so that people could sing along with it, made the lyrics the central aspect of the video and included some nice nature videography that Brad Leishman and Steve Pierce have kindly donated.
Hello! I Feel My Savior’s Love is a suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “Come and Partake of the Fruit” studying the 1 Nephi 6–10. This lesson includes a prophetic vision or dream that Lehi shares with his family. This dream has layers of meaning, I am sure, but one core aspect of it is the light and love that God offers those who will come unto him.
Hello! As I Search the Holy Scriptures is a suggested hymn for the Book of Mormon lesson “I Will Go and Do” studying the 1 Nephi 1–5. This is a revamped version of a previous arrangement of this hymn I posted as the first video in this series back in July 2022.
Each year, the Church of Jesus Christ studies a book of scripture during Sunday school class each week and are encouraged to study the lessons at home with their families as well. During 2023 we studied the New Testament. This year, 2024, we are studying the Book of Mormon; which members of this church believe to be another testament of Jesus Christ.
Light of the World, is the song I chose for the New Testament lesson “He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things” studying Revelation 15–22. “Light of the World is a contemporary Christian song and was written by Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan and Paul Mabury and performed by Lauren Daigle. You may have heard it on the Christian gospel radio stations. I was asked to sing this for our ward Christmas party at Church and decided that since I was already working on it, I could record it here as well. The suggested song for this lesson was “When He Comes Again” which I have already posted twice, so I felt this was the perfect week to publish “Light of the World” instead, especially since it is Christmas Eve!