Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise, violin and piano PDF, audio

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns! I found out the other day that my family history lines go back to the Schwartz and Kirschenman families, who lived in Württemburg, Germany in the 1700's, exactly when and where this music was written! So this is also my pioneer tribute, to them.

This song always reminds me of a rising sun, growing brighter and brighter, eliminating all the shadow which the light touches, filling the whole land. So it is with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Lord has put forth his hand again to restore His true and living Church and Gospel to the earth, exactly as He has done before, and promised to do again in our day. All this is in preparation for His majestic return. His truth will go forth to every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People, for so He said. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Doctrine and Covenants 1:5; Mosiah 3:20)

1. 1. Let Zion in her beauty rise;
   Her light begins to shine.
   Ere long her King will rend the skies,
   Majestic and divine,
   The gospel spreading thru the land,
   A people to prepare
   To meet the Lord and Enoch's band
   Triumphant in the air.
2. 2. Ye heralds, sound the golden trump
   To earth's remotest bound.
   Go spread the news from pole to pole
   In all the nations round:
   That Jesus in the clouds above,
   With hosts of angels too,
   Will soon appear, his Saints to save,
   His enemies subdue.
3. 3. That glorious rest will then commence
   Which prophets did foretell,
   When Saints will reign with Christ on earth,
   And in his presence dwell
   A thousand years, oh, glorious day!
   Dear Lord, prepare my heart
   To stand with thee on Zion's mount
   And nevermore to part.

If Stars and Sheep Could Speak

If Stars and Sheep Could Speak, Vocal solo PDF, Vocal duet PDF, audio

Christmas in July!

This song was first performed in Dortmund, Germany at the Dortmund Ward 2012 Christmas Concert. I have often thought about the events surrounding the humble birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This song provides a scene of a clear, starry sky, with joy and peace in the air. If the stars and sheep could tell us of what they saw and felt and experienced that sacred night, oh, what glorious stories they would tell us! God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

The Winds of a Dream

The Winds of a Dream, spoken word PDF

While this is not a piece of music (yet!), I felt to do something to celebrate by favorite holiday of the year: Independence Day! America was founded on the ideals of family, faith, freedom, work, and progress; or, in other words, on the American Dream. This poem includes some of my reflections on this topic of the American Dream, and how a bright future is still in store for us, if we hold true to the ideals that founded this country.

I know the Founding Fathers were inspired by Almighty God in the founding of this country. The ideals of freedom and liberty are eternal truths that the Lord has taught us through His holy word:

• "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17, Bible)
• "...the spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom" (Alma 61:15, The Book of Mormon)
• "[We] are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil." (2 Nephi 2:27, The Book of Mormon)

May we continue to live as we should, so God may continue to bless America.