LDS Hymns

-History: (Source: Wikipedia)

Written By: Cyrus H. Wheelock

Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock (February 28, 1813 – October 11, 1894) was an early leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among other positions he was the firstpresident of the Northern States Mission. He also wrote the words to the Latter-day Saint hymn “Ye Elders of Israel.”

Wheelock was born at Henderson, Jefferson County, New York.^[1] Wheelock was baptised a member of the Latter Day Saint church on 1839-09-01. Shortly afterward, he served as amissionary in Vermont.^[1]

In 1844, Wheelock tried to convince Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois to release Joseph Smith, Jr. from Carthage Jail.^[1] Wheelock had given Smith the gun which he had when the mobattacked the jail at Carthage.

In the early 1850s, Wheelock served a mission in England and presided over the Manchester, Liverpool and Preston Conferences.^[2] In 1853, Wheelock was a counselor to Isaac Haight, president of the camp of Latter-day Saints waiting to set out from Keokuk, Iowa. Wheelock then was the captain of one of the pioneer companies that crossed the plains to Utah Territory.^[3][4] In 1854, Wheelock became the president of the 37th Quorum of the Seventy.^[5]

In 1856, Wheelock was part of a rescue party Brigham Young sent to assist the stranded Martin Handcart Company near the Sweetwater River.^[6]

Wheelock settled in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory. He wrote several hymns while living here.^[7]

In 1878, Wheelock was made president of the Northern States Mission which then consisted of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.^[1] Wheelock served as mission president for just over a year. He died in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory.^[1]

Music By: Thomas H. Bayly

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