Praise to the Man
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!
Know This, That Every Soul is Free
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/
Where Can I Turn for Peace?
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.
The Iron Rod – Lyric Video
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.
As I Search the Holy Scriptures 2024
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.
An Angel From on High
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.
What Child is This? Vocal Duet with Violin
What Child is This, is the hymn I chose for the New Testament lesson “Good Tidings of Great Joy” studying Christmas! “What Child is This” was written in 1865 with the text by William Chatterton Dix and set to the tune of “Greensleeves”, which is a traditional English Folk Song. The context of the carol centers around the Adoration of the Shepherds who visit during the Nativity of Jesus. The questions posed in the lyrics reflect what the shepherds were possibly pondering to themselves when they encountered Jesus, with the rest of the carol providing a response to their questions. This arrangement is a vocal duet with piano and violin. I have three lovely ladies who recorded this arrangement with me, Emily Clark on the Violin, Audrey Nelson on the piano and Tiffany Tolman singing vocals with me. We had a lot of fun with this song!
Jesus, Once of Humble Birth
Jesus, Once of Humble Birth , is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever” studying Revelation 1–5. Kevin Forbush worked with me again on this song and it was great working with him. We wanted to keep the song sacred and reverent since this is a hymn that is usually sung right before the most sacred part of an LDS church meeting, the sacrament. With his guitar parts and harmony it turned out to sound somewhat like a lullaby, while still honoring the juxtaposition between the extreme suffering Jesus Christ endured with the glorious triumph over death and hell that is now his and really all of ours.
Where Love Is, New Testament
Where Love Is, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson God is Love studying the books 1st–3rd John; Jude. This is a vocal arrangement of a song from the Children’s Songbook and was also published back in August 2022, for a lesson on “A soft answer turneth away wrath” studying Proverbs.
Have I Done Any Good?
Have I Done Any Good?, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Be Ye Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only” studying the book of James. This song was a really fun one to do! Kevin Forbush is our guest guitar player and vocalist for this vocal duet arrangement that we did together. He is an amazing guitar player, songwriter and singer. When we moved to our new area here in Layton, (he lives a few houses down the street) we discovered that he was my Aunt’s brother (my aunt by marriage) and had also been neighbors with my husband’s uncle. Just so many connections! ha ha. He and his family all love music and it was really great to be able to do this song with him. The sheet music for this arrangement can be found here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/