Sheet Music for this arrangement can be found here: https://marileekaymusic.com/downloads/joseph-smiths-first-prayer/
Here is a new arrangement of Joseph Smith’s First Prayer with Kaden and Sydnee Merrill (who are brother and sister :). They are my niece and nephew on my husband’s side. I love these guys! They both did a beautiful job on this song and it was so fun working with them!
Young George Manwaring was looking at a new painting of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. Upon seeing it, he became immediately inspired and shortly after began the work of writing this hymn. (*see more about George below) Each verse goes through the process of what happened on that beautiful spring morning, drawing on the accounts that Joseph Smith gave of his experiences.
This hymn is a perfect introduction for our study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year in 2025. It could be considered the first major event or catalyst for what we call, the restoration of Christ’s Church in these latter days. This hymn will coincide especially well with the Come Follow Me lesson for January 13-19 entitled “I Saw a Pillar of Light” studying Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
AN EXCERPT from JOSEPH SMITH HISTORY 1
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know….
14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
An excerpt from “BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF GEORGE MANWARING” Prepared by his brother, John H. Manwaring.
He was a music teacher of rare ability. Never having had a music lesson in his life, he was able to play piano or organ and to teach, all of which he did by ear. He traveled extensively over the state and in practically every ward in the state taught the children music in Sunday School where he visited. He was a gifted poet, and many of his poems were published in the newspapers and the magazines in the early eighties. He wrote some of the most beautiful and inspiring songs, many of which are printed in the Sunday School Union Song Book, and some are sung Sabbath after Sabbath in practically every ward in the church. Some of the best known are, “Closing Hymn”, “Parting Hymn”, “Beautiful Day of Rest”, “Gladly Meeting”, “We Shall Meet Again”, “Beautiful Mountain Home”, “Welcome to our Union Meeting”, “Sacrament Hymn”, “’Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love”, and “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”.
A.C. Smyth appears as the composer of the music for “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer.” This is misleading because it leaves the impression that George Manwaring was the composer of the words only, and this is an error. He composed both words and music but A.C. Smyth was responsible for the arrangement of the music for printing.
It is interesting that John H. Manwaring felt the need to clarify that George also composed the music. Yes, he should get credit for it! I believe George based the melody of it from a composition by Sylvanus Billings Pond.
This arrangement has been added to my Sheet Music page Here: https://marileekaymusic.com/products/
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Composers: Text: George Manwaring, 1854–1889 Music: Sylvanus Billings Pond, 1792–1871; adapted by A. C. Smyth, 1840–1909
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Oh my gosh what a beautiful rendition of one of my favorite songs! Music always invites The Spirit into my life.
Thank you! Yes music is amazing. We had two people share their testimonies today during fast and testimony meeting just on the power that good music has had in their lives and for their faith. Thank you so much for the kind comment!