Jesus Christ

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

This arrangement is a vocal solo of verses 1, 5, 6 and 7. I didn’t want the song to be too long, so I tried to include the final verses that are essential for the storyline, but are often not sung in Church because of how long the song is. This hymn has beautiful descriptive language that draws you in. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief was a favorite hymn of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The apostle John Taylor first learned the hymn while on his mission to England. On the afternoon that Joseph and Hyrum were killed by a mob in prison in Carthage, the Smiths requested Taylor sing this hymn twice. How touching and special this hymn is.

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Risen by Shawna Edwards Cover

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
Risen by Shawna Edwards Cover

Hello! “Risen” is the song I chose to do this week to go along with the Come Follow Me Easter lesson. This song was written by Shawna Edwards in 2019. Here is what she said about the song: “Every good thing we have is because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Risen” is the result of my special feelings for Jesus and the joy I feel, knowing that He lives!” Melinda Spence is on vocals with me along with Emily Clark on the Violin. Melinda is the one who suggested this song to me as one we could sing in sacrament meeting at Church around Easter time. We decided to record and film it as well. I’m grateful for everything those two added to this arrangement. They did such a beautiful job.  

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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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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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An Angel From on High

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
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.

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Light of the World By Lauren Daigle (Cover Arrangement)

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 3 Comments
Light of the World By Lauren Daigle (Cover Arrangement)

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!

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What Child is This? Vocal Duet with Violin

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
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!

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Jesus, Once of Humble Birth

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
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. 

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I Need Thee Every Hour – New Testament

Marilee Leishman Religious Arrangements 1 Comment
I Need Thee Every Hour – New Testament

I Need Thee Every Hour, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation” studying Hebrews 1–6. This is the second time I am posting this song. The first time was August 2022 for the Old Testament lesson in the middle section of Psalms. It was one of my earlier arrangements in this series. It is such a beautiful and personal hymn. 

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