I love the hymn, “For The Beauty of the Earth“. It has been one of my favorites for a long time. Last night, my little family took a drive up one of the canyons close to our house to look at the fall colors. I am constantly awe struck by the beauty of the mountains where I live. Growing up in TX, we don’t have mountains, and it seems like the fall colors are not as vibrant as the aspen trees against the evergreens in the mountains. They amaze me, and I feel like it takes my breath away. As … Continue reading →

love church music, and I especially love listening to it on Sundays. There is something about spiritual music that can definitely set the mood for you to attend church and feel the spirit. It also has a calming effect in my life as well. Lately, I’ve been using Pandora, a popular free app for iPhones, to find music to listen to on Sundays. You can simply select an artist you like, and it will create a station for you that has similar music for you to listen to. Did you know that you can do this with some LDS artist’s … Continue reading →

Hymn #185 in the current hymnbook is entitled, “Reverently and Meekly Now.” The words are written from the Savior’s viewpoint, which is unusual when compared to our other hymns, which speak about the Savior from a third-person viewpoint. As we study the words, we can imagine our Savior pleading with us to more fully accept His sacrifice as we partake of the sacrament. Think of me, thou ransomed one; Think what I for thee have done. How truly He did ransom us. He paid the price for our sins so we, if we choose to repent, don’t have to endure … Continue reading →

I enjoy listening to the radio as I drive around town. I like soft rock and I pride myself on knowing most of the lyrics to most of the songs. I will even confess to singing along with the radio, although I won’t claim to have a great voice. When my kids are in the car, I automatically become more sensitive to the lyrics of the songs. It’s kind of like when you’re watching a movie with your mother. A bed scene or a bit of language takes place and you turn bright red, although it probably wouldn’t have bothered … Continue reading →

Hymn #7 in our current LDS hymnbook is “Israel, Israel, God is Calling.” When I think of this hymn, I remember sitting in the old chapel on 100 West in Logan, Utah, with my Grandma Norton. This chapel has a lovely painting of a pioneer woman standing in front of a covered wagon, and this song so closely fits the message of that painting, it almost seems too much of a coincidence that I remember singing the song in that location. The lyricist, Richard Smyth, served three missions for the Church and often entreated new converts to “come to Zion.” … Continue reading →

The fifth hymn in our current Latter-Day Saint hymnal is “High on a Mountain Top,” a stirring song which cheers the soul and uplifts the mood. Also a popular choice of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform in General Conference, it’s more up-tempo than most of our hymns, although still dignified. This hymn is sometimes used as a “stand up and stretch your legs” song in longer meetings like Stake Conference and General Conference. The hymn was written by Joel H. Johnson with the music by Ebenezer Beesley, and is based on the scripture in Isaiah 2:2-3 which prophecies that … Continue reading →

The second hymn in our current hymnal, “The Spirit of God” is perhaps the most powerful, tear-producing, and beloved hymns we as a Latter-day Saint people possess. Written by William W. Phelps, it invites all who hear it to sing and shout with the armies of Heaven, and indeed, as you sing it, you feel as though legions of angels have joined you in song. The first line reads, “The Spirit of God like a fire is burning. The latter-day glory begins to come forth.” Oftentimes, when someone receives a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel, they feel the … Continue reading →