Songwriting is the act of baring one's soul to another in the form of words and 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! “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.
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!
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 , 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.
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.
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Perfect That Which Is Lacking in Your Faith” studying the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. This song was also the “suggested song” for Haggai and Zechariah in the Old Testament.
Paul is a great example to me of someone who continuously rejoiced in the Lord. There have been times in my life when thinking of the grace of Jesus Christ, his atonement and resurrection and the ability for us to be forgiven through repentance and to be saved…has been the only thing that has given me hope and peace! I am forever grateful for the mercy of God and his Son.
“Give,” Said the Little Stream, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” studying 2 Corinthians 8–13. This primary song is the one my Dad would choose whenever we needed a nice song to sing for our family meetings growing up (or family home evenings)! It is a favorite amongst the toddlers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel bad because I didn’t realize I was singing the wrong lyric and ended up recorded it that way, but I decided to leave it! The reason I recorded “grass” instead of “field” is because I grew up singing it that way and honestly thought those were the lyrics until after I had already polished the recording. I figured it would be our family’s own special touch on the song. Ha ha