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.

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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."

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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).

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

Mormon Music: Elder Czubak's 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'

Greetings readers!

This post is a little different than my others.  The song below was recorded and performed by myself and is now presented here to you.  The song is "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and is a personal favorite of mine.

As I may have mentioned before, click the following link to learn more about 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?cid=sgo-csm-tc

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.

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Lead, Kindly Light sheet music: Hymn #97 sheet music
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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.

Mormonism: A Song of the Righteous

I love music and have yet to make a post concerning this subject, and so I must now do so.  From what I have seen and heard, music is a big part of many religions.  Sabbath meetings often start and end with music.  This is not singled to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  But it is music in Mormonism that I wish to talk of today.

The First Presidency has included a preface message in the LDS Hymn books.  This message expresses the importance of having music in three areas of life - Church meetings, the home, and our personal lives - and so it is these three areas that I wish to focus on.

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Music In Church Meetings
From the First Presidency preface we read:
"Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings.  The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord."

This is not new.  Even the apostles in the Bible used hymns for similar purposes.  In Colossians it is recorded, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

Hymns carry a message of Christ.  They talk of Christ, they rejoice in Christ and they preach of Christ.  It is for this reason that the Lord told Joseph Smith, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me," (D&C 25:12).

When a faithful follower of Christ sings a song about Christ does not this sound like a prayer unto him?  When congregations sing these songs they help each other come spiritually toward God.

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Music In Our Homes
Again returning to the Presidency message we find the following:
"Ours is a hymnbook for the home as well as for the meetinghouse.  We hope the hymnbook will take a prominent place among the scriptures and other religious books in our homes.  The hymns can bring families a spirit of beauty and peace and can inspire love and unity among family members."

This morning I came across a story that shows this.  The story is told by Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

"Last spring some of our children and fourteen of our grandchildren had a family outing in the mountains.  One of our activities was a meeting to share experiences and testimonies.  We gathered at the appointed time, but the little people were only gathered in body.  The large spirits in those little bodies were clamoring for more of the exciting outdoor activities they had been enjoying.  The cabin where we met was too small to contain them, and it seemed as if a dozen restless children and their outcries were ricocheting off the walls in every direction.  Grandparents will appreciate the apprehension I felt at trying to sponsor something serious in that setting.
"Suddenly the instinctive wisdom of young mothers rescued our efforts.  Two mothers began to sing a song familiar to the children.  Others joined in, and within a few minutes the mood had changed and all spirits were subdued and receptive to spiritual things."
- Worship Through Music, October 1994 -

Through spiritual music siblings can put down their disputes, and families can be brought together in happiness.

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Music In Our Personal Lives
Back to the Presidency:
"In addition to blessing us as Church and family members, the hymns can greatly benefit us as individuals.  Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action.  They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace."

Elder Oaks has stated that "Sacred music can help us even where there is no formal performance.  For example, when temptation comes, we can neutralize its effects by humming or repeating the words of a favorite hymn."

Spiritual songs can bring our very thoughts back to the will of the Lord.  Through music we can invite the Holy Ghost to dwell with us.

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