Stand Strong in the Storm

MP3 - Stand Strong in the Storm
PDF - Stand Strong in the Storm


I had this tune in mind and thanks to Julie Keyser, she put my tune to some beautiful lyrics. The words speak of not being afraid in face of trial. It would be appropriate for a solo, a Primary or a Young Men/Young Women to sing. I hope you enjoy it. And Julie - thank YOU!

1. Jesus slept on a boat that was trying to stay afloat,
    while the fearful waves were crashing on the sea.
    All the men cried in fear Master please save us in here,
    so he calmed the waves and told the winds to cease.

    Standing strong in the storm as they trusted in the Lord.
    Having faith that He'd guide them to shore and safely home.
    Though at times they were scared they knew the Lord truly cares
    and would guide them as they stand strong in the storm. 


2. Joesph knelt down to pray in a sacred grove that day,
    while thick darkness all around him caused despair.
    But the Lord heard his cry coming down in beams of light,
    the Father and the Son to him appeared.

    Standing strong in the storm Joseph trusted in the Lord
    Having faith he'd be guided to truth and safely home.
    Though at times he was scared he knew the Lord truly cares
    and would guide him as he stands strong strong in the storm. 


3. When I'm lost or afraid I know I can kneel and pray, 
    and the Lord will guide me where I need to go. 
    Though the wind and the rain pour down hard upon my face,
    I know the Lord will not leave me alone. 

    Standing strong in the storm I put my trust in the Lord. 
    Having faith that he'll guide me along and safely home. 
    Though at times I get scared I know the Lord truly cares 
    and will guide me as I stand strong in the storm.

Bearers of God's Holy Priesthood

MP3 - Bearers of God's Holy Priesthood
PDF - Bearers of God's Holy Priesthood

The tune was originally used in a contest in Canada, where it won 3rd place (http://www.ldshappymusic.com/2014/06/gods-re-creating-call.html). I "re purposed" the tune and fellow Mormon Tabernacle Choir singer, Michael Young set my tune to inspiring words. I love how it talks that the priesthood serves all - men, women alike. I hope you enjoy this.

1. Bearers of God's Holy Priesthood,blessed to serve their fellowmen.

    Blessed to serve His royal daughters; servants of the great I AM.

    Willingly we do God's bidding, lifting those with feeble knees.

    Lifting those with heavy burdens in all things our God to please.

2. Bearers of God's holy priesthood, bound to Him through covenants.

    Bearers of this gift from Heaven, washed clean through obedience.

    Laying hands on those afflicted that through faith they may be whole.

    Burying those in the water, who love Christ with heart and soul.

3. Bearers of God's holy priesthood, the pow'r greater than us all.

    Reaching all of God's creations, filling those who heed His call.

    Moving mountains that impede us, softening the hearts of stone.

    When we venture in God's service, we all never serve alone.

Blessings Unfold

MP3: Blessings Unfold
PDF: Blessings Unfold

I decided to try live mic-ing myself playing the recorder and this is the result. I like it. It could be used for almost any instrument, really.

Hope you enjoy it and recognize all the blessings that you have in your life and the true source of those blessings.

I'm Going to Bethlehem Tonight

MP3 - I'm going to Bethlehem Tonight
PDF - I'm going to Bethlehem Tonight

My Grandmother was given the gift of poetry. She wrote about many subjects and expressed her feelings and testimony in her poems. This is one of her poems that I set to music for Primary to sing at Christmas.

I'm going to Bethlehem tonight, it isn't very far. 
I passed some shepherds in a field who said they saw a star.
Far brighter than the noonday sun and while they watched spellbound, 
an angel came from heav'n above, and glory shone around. 

The angel told them of a child born in a lowly shed. 
With cattle lowing all about, and straw to lay his head. 
They said that angels sang with joy for this child they adored 
because he came to save the world, he is our Christ, the Lord. 


I'm on my way to Bethlehem, my heart is glad and light. 
With eagerness my footsteps go, I'm hast'ning through the night. 
I'll soon be at the manger there, the wondrous sight to see. 
I want someone to share this joy, so won't you come with me? 

Daddy!

MP3: Daddy!
PDF: Daddy!

My wife was going through some old stuff and happened upon this handwritten score from decades ago that I had forgotten about. The words are by a dear friend of mine back in PA. The music would be very appropriate for a Primary singing for Father's Day. I hope you enjoy it.

Lullabye

MP3: Lullabye
PDF: Lullabye

Not sure why this has been on my mind, but this is something I wrote several years ago and just got around to cleaning it up and scoring it. It is a simple but sweet lullabye. I hope you enjoy it.

Nature's Music

My wife and I decided it was such a beautiful day yesterday that we would take a drive. We started on the Timapanogos highway in Lehi, entered the forest and just drove - soaking in the beautiful world created for us by our loving Father in Heaven. My wife took the pictures - most while the car was in motion, but I think they turned out wonderfully.

When I got home and was posting them to Facebook, this tune came into my mind and I know I had to "marry" the two together. This is my first venture with combining audio (music) with pictures. I like the result, if I may so so myself. :)

I credit the music popping into my head, first and foremost by my Father in Heaven, and secondly from my wonderful experiences, which made me realize this: For me to write meaningful music I need to get out from my "normal" world - explore nature. Experience God's handiwork. Listen to what a babbling stream is saying. Listen to the breeze rustling through the trees. Listen to what my heart is saying as I am experiencing all of this. And I will be able to find a song through it all.

YouTube: Nature's Music