Mormonism Music: Elder Czubak's 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief'

My favorite song is straight from the Mormonism Hymn Book:  #29 - A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.  Many scriptures come to my mind when I hear this lovely song, but first and foremost is the following passage:

Matthew 25:31-40
31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32. And before him shall be gathered all nations:  and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35. For I was an hungered  and ye gave me meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36. Naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39. Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 Also can be used this scripture from the Book of Mormon:

Mosiah 2:17
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

In these scriptures we see the importance of service as well as the love that God has for his children.  In another post I have shared the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson - "Every man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day comes he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well."  I feel that has a lot to do with this conversation as well.  When we begin to see each other in the way that God sees us we will begin to treat people with charity and love.  When we begin to treat people with charity and love we then show God our love for his children, and therefore our respect and love towards him.

---

And now I would like to share with you the song.  Below is a video of me performing the song, and below the video are the lyrics.

A poor wayfaring man of grief hath often crossed me on my way

Who sued so humbly for relief that I could never answer nay

I had not power to ask his name, where to he went, or whence he came

Yet there was something in his eye that won my love, I knew not why

Once while my scanty meal was spread he entered, not a word he spake

Just perishing for want of bread, I gave him all, he blessed it, brake

And ate but gave me part again, mine was an angel's portion then

And while I fed with eager haste the crust was manna to my taste

I spied him where a fountain burst clear from the rock, his strength was gone

The heedless water mocked his thirst, he heard it, saw it hurrying on

I ran and raised the sufferer up, thrice from the stream he drained my cup

Dipped and returned it running over, I drank and never thirsted more

It was night, the floods were out, it blew a winter's hurricane aloof

I heard his voice abroad and flew to bid him welcome to my roof

I warmed and cheered and clothed my guest and laid him on the couch to rest

Then made the earth my bed and seemed in Eden's garden while I dreamed

Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death I found him by the highway side

I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, revived his spirit and supplied-

Wine, oil, refreshment, he was healed - I had myself a wound concealed

And from that hour forgot the smart and peace bound up my broken heart

In prison I saw him next condemned to meet a traitor's doom at morn

The tide of lying tongues I stemmed and honored him 'mid shame and scorn

My friendship's utmost zeal to try, he asked if I for him would die

The flesh was weak, the blood ran chill, but my free spirit cried, "I will!"

Then in a moment to my view the stranger started from disguise

The tokens in his hands I knew, the Savior stood before mine eyes

He spake and my poor named he named, "Of me thou hast not been ashamed

These deeds shall thy memorial be - Fear not, thou didst them unto me."

---

If you have any questions on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) you are welcome to chat with a missionary about it (click the picture below).

History of Mormonism Hymns - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

It is now the Christmas season.  Let us not forget what this time of celebration is all about - Christ!  And so, in my attempt to spread the Christmas cheer, I share the history of another hymn of Mormonism - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

The Story Behind the Hymn
In 1861 the Civil War broke out.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of the men living in New England at the time.  In July Henry's wife died, just a couple days before their anniversary.  Two years later his son was mortally wounded as a soldier in the war.  All of these were undoubtedly on his mind when he wrote the words: "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
But Christmas did come even in the midst of great war, and the church bells rang out.  At this time the true meaning of Christmas must have struck home - "God is not dead nor doth he sleep."  Because of Christ's atonement that was made for the love of all men we can have hope even in the darkest of times.

When listening to this hymn the words of Elder Holland often come to mind:
"It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."
- The Laborers in the Vineyard, General Conference, April 2012 -

The Words of the Hymn

I heard the bells on Christmas day.  Their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:  "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing, on its way, the world revolved from night to day.  A voice, a chime, a change sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men!

Let's remember this Christmas season the love of Christ and what he has done for us.  "For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee..." (Deuteronomy 4:31).

---

Want More?
History of Mormonism - http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ
Listen to 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - http://www.lds.org/music/library/...Longfellow
Question on Mormonism? - http://mormon.org/chat

Mormon Music: Elder Czubak's 'O My Father'

The song below was recorded and performed by myself and is now presented here to you.  The song is "O My Father," and is another personal favorite of mine.

Lyrics:

O my Father, thou that dwellest

In the high and glorious place,

When shall I regain thy presence

And again behold thy face?

In thy holy habitation,

Did my spirit once reside?

In my first primeval childhood

Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose

Thou hast placed me here on earth

And withheld the recollection

Of my former friends and birth;

Yet ofttimes a secret something

Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"

And I felt that I had wandered

From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,

Thru thy Spirit from on high,

But, until the key of knowledge

Was restored, I knew not why.

In the heav'ns are parents single?

No, the thought makes reason stare!

Truth is reason; truth eternal

Tells me I've a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?

Then, at length, when I've completed

All you sent me forth to do,

With your mutual approbation

Let me come and dwell with you.

Mormonism: http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ

You can also view more of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/teaguerchubak/videos
And, should you have any questions concerning The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ask a missionary here: http://mormon.org/chat

History of Mormonism Hymns - Lead, Kindly Light

My past post was on the history of Mormonism hymns, more particularly The Spirit of God.  As this post is my 50th and must be special, I will continue on with a history of Mormonism hymns and share the story of my favorite hymn - #97 Lead, Kindly Light.

The Story Behind the Hymn:
John Henry Newman was the man behind the words now know as hymn #97.  In a General Conference address in October 2000, Virginia U. Jensen shared Newman's story as follows:

"As a young priest traveling in Italy in 1833, Englishman John Henry Newman encountered emotional and physical darkness when illness detained him there for several weeks.  He became deeply discouraged, and a nurse who saw his tears asked what troubled him.  All he could reply was that he was sure God had work for him to do in England.  Aching to return home, he finally found passage on a small boat.
"Not long after the ship set sail, thick fog descended and obscured the hazardous cliffs surrounding them.  Trapped for a week in the damp, gray darkness, the ship unable to travel forward or back, Newman pled for his Savior's help as he penned the words we now know as the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light.'"
- Virginia U. Jensen, Lead Kindly Light -

Words of the Hymn:
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom; lead thou me on!  The night is dark and I am far from home; lead thou me on!  Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene - one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on.  I loved to choose and see my path; but now, lead thou me on!  I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will.  Remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on over moor and fen, over crag and torrent, till the night is gone.  And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Scriptures Behind the Hymn:
There are many scriptures that could be used as an example to show what is being said in this song, but I'll select only a few.  First and foremost comes to mind John 8:12:

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Shown in both the scripture and the hymn is the statement that Christ is our light.  When we follow him we are not lost.  A second scripture I'll use is found in the Book of Mormon.  This scripture speaks on Christ's power to disperse the darkness of sin and mistakes.  Not physical darkness but spiritual and metaphorical darkness.

"He knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness - yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God-" (Alma 19:6)

These are just a couple of the many scriptures that could be used to show Christ as our guiding light.  Just as the song says, so long Christ's power hath blest me, and sure it still will lead me on.  And he will do the same for everyone, even those that feel like they've gone too far from the light.  As was said in the post 'A Joyful Lesson From Alma Jr.,' the end result can always be the same:  Our souls can be filled with joy as exceeding as was our pain.  The light of Christ can reach anyone, and then we can live in the light.

---

Lead, Kindly Light sheet music: Hymn #97 sheet music
Any questions concerning Mormonism?  Ask a missionary!

History of Mormonism Hymns - The Spirit of God

When people consider the history of Mormonism what is often thought of is the first vision, restoration of the priesthood, formation of the church, or the Book of Mormon, etc.  But there is much more!  In the English hymn book there are hundreds of hymns, each one with its own history.  These can also be considered an important part of the history of Mormonism.

W. W. Phelps (William Wines Phelps) wrote the words to fourteen of the hymns in the current hymn book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  One of the earliest and most notorious of his hymns is The Spirit of God (Hymn #2).

The hymn The Spirit of God is a message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter-days.  Contained in its lyrics are many lines from scripture, such as the following from the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, found now in the Doctrine and Covenants (one of Mormonism's standard works):

"And also this church, to put upon it thy name.  And help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb!  And let these, thine anointed ones, be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy.  Amen, and Amen." (D&C 109:79-80)

At the closing of the Kirtland, Ohio temple dedication this hymn was sung by the congregation, and it has been sung at temple dedications ever since that day.

Lyrics of the Hymn:

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!  The latter-day glory begins to come forth; the visions and blessings of old are returning.  And angels are coming to visit the earth.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding, restoring their judges and all as at first.  The knowledge and power of God are expanding; the veil over the earth is beginning to burst.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit, to spread forth the kingdom of heaven abraod, that we through our faith may begin to inherit the visions and blessings and glories of God.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion shall lie down together without any ire, and Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion, as Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

If you'd like to learn more about Mormonism you can chat with a missionary:
http://mormon.org/chat?cid=sgo-csm-tc
Learn more about W.W. Phelps and The Spirit of God:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/history-of-hymns/22

Mormonism Music - Spencer Mangum

In a recent post I wrote about why music is important to Mormonism.

*You can read this post here:  A Song of the Righteous.

Today I would like to spotlight a single musician that means a lot to me personally.  His name is Spencer Mangum and he writes his own arrangements of LDS Hymns.  I may spotlight his music every so often on this blog, and to start off I use this song:  I Need Thee Every Hour.  His version is a piano instrumental, but I will provide the lyrics to this lovely hymn nonetheless.

Hymn #84 - I Need Thee Every Hour

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord.

No tender voice like thine can peace afford.

I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to thee!

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby.

Temptations lose their power when thou art night.

I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to thee!

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain.

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to thee!

I need thee every hour, most holy One.

Oh, make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son!

I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to thee!

*More music by Spencer Mangum can be found here.