Hymn

Because I Have Been Given Much

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
Because I Have Been Given Much

“I wrote the poem [originally titled ‘The Shared Loaf’] after a long and serious illness. I was convalescing (Convalescence is the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness or injury), and in a sudden, glad up-rush of gratitude for my release from pain, recalling the many mercies and blessings that had been mine those long hard days, and through all my past life, remembering the love that had been around and about me ever, I wrote the words of this hymn. Surely I have been given much; surely love has been showered upon me. God grant I may never forget to ‘divide my gifts with every brother that I see who has the need of help from me,’ and I trust I shall not hoard the love that has been so abundantly showered upon me.”

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Press Forward Saints

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
Press Forward Saints

Gardner explained that the idea for the words came to him during a 1984 session of stake conference after a speaker quoted 2 Nephi 31:20. “I instantly recognized it as one of my favorite scriptures from my teenage years as a seminary student and also as a missionary. Something just kind of went through my mind like, ‘Wow, that’s the Book of Mormon verse that you’ve been looking for.'”

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I Believe in Christ – BOM

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
I Believe in Christ – BOM

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/

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High On the Mountain Top – BOM

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
High On the Mountain Top – BOM

Hello! “High on the Mountain Top” is a suggested hymn to go along with the Book of Mormon lesson “His Name Shall Be Called … The Prince of Peace”  studying 2 Nephi 11–19. This is a piano solo arrangement of an upbeat hymn centered around the blessings of the covenants God makes with his children through modern day temples. The song conveys the idea that God invites all to come unto him and receive the promises of old, today, in our day.

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How Great Thou Art – Vocal Solo

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
How Great Thou Art – Vocal Solo

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.

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Know This, That Every Soul is Free

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 3 Comments
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/

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Where Can I Turn for Peace?

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
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. 

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The Iron Rod – Lyric Video

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
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. 

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