LDS Hymns

-History: (Source:Wikipedia)

Words By: Parley P Pratt (1807-1857)

Parley Parker Pratt (12 April 1807 – 13 May 1857)^[1] was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1835 until his murder in 1857. He served in the Quorum with his younger brother, Orson Pratt. He was a missionary, poet, religious writer and longtime editor of the religious publication The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Having explored, surveyed, built, and maintained the first road for public transportation there, scenic Parley’s Canyon in Salt Lake City, was named in his honor.

Pratt practiced plural marriage and had twelve wives. One of Pratt’s great-great-grandsons is Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and candidate for the 2008 and 2012 Republican presidential nominations.^[2] One of his great-great-great-grandsons is Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor and Ambassador to China, and a likely candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.^[3]

Music By: John E Tullidge (1806-1873)

John Elliott Tullidge, Sr.^[1] (November 29, 1806 – January 17, 1873)^[2] was the first music critic in Utah Territory and was a Latter Day Saint musician and hymnwriter.

In 1864, Tullidge was baptized a member of the LDS Church. In October 1863, he wrote the first known piece of music criticism in Utah. His piece was considered far too critical towards musicians, and the Deseret News did not publish another one of his works of music criticism for several years.^[7] During his time in Utah, Tullidge wrote many scores for the Salt Lake theatre orchestra. Tullidge edited the first LDS hymnbook to contain both words and music.^[8]

Tullidge’s daughter Jane married Alexander C. Pyper, who was the father of George D. Pyper.^[9]

Tullidge died in Salt Lake City at the age of 66 after falling down a theater staircase.^[10][11]

Among the hymns in the 1985 English-language edition of the LDS Church hymnal that have music by Tullidge are “An Angel From On High” and “Come, All Ye Saints of Zion”. Tullidge also wrote the music to the hymn “Think Not When Ye Gather to Zion”, which is not in the current LDS Church hymnal.^[12]

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