I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This is my first Christmas piano arrangement. As always, I tried to capture the feeling of the lyrics with the music. I have long loved this telling of the background of this song and tried to create a similar feeling in my arrangement:

In my arrangement verse 3 & 4 in particular speak to me with despair turning to hate, then verse 4 with the bells retorting more deeply that “God is not dead nor doth he sleep.” The words are so powerful I would almost tell you that if you ever perform this song, tell people to open up their hymn books to 214 and read along as you play.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (pdf) – Piano solo

Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands

When I heard this song performed at General Conference October 2021, I was so moved. I had heard it before, but it had been a while. Because it is a slower song, I was able to listen to the words carefully and boy was I touched. “Ponder who He meant to save when on the cross he died.” That really made me think: me. He died and suffered for me individually, not a collective group.

At the end, I almost used a deep C octave to conclude the song but I was prompted to just hit middle C. I liked the softness of it and I immediately thought about how Christ is our center. He walked a perfectly centered, straight path and we are also asked to walk it. We mess up and go off course but because of the wounds in His hands, we can be placed back on the path back to our Heavenly Father.

Both the lyricist and compser have passed away but I truly feel they have left a mark on the world with this beautiful melody and these soul stirring words.

Behold, the Wounds in Jesus Hands (PDF)

Samuel and the Star

I don’t remember what gave me the idea to put the beloved video’s words to music but I’ve had a blast writing an Irish sounding tune. I’ve never put music to a story before, so it’s fun to say I have a ballad on my repertoire.

The story of Samuel comes from Helaman 13-15 in the Book of Mormon. I have a testimony of this book. It has drawn me close to the Savior. I am so grateful for Him and how through Him alone, I can be saved. He truly is The Light of the world.

Also, I was amazed at how often the message of listening to prophet came up in this last General Conference. After hearing that theme, and playing this song again, it touched me even more of how blessed we are to have a prophet. I’ll add my testimony to those of the apostles and other church leaders, that God reveals His will for the church to prophets. As we follow the prophets with more exactness, we will be protected and grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, because they guide us to Him.

Samuel and the Star (pdf)

In Humility Our Savior, Jesus Once of Humble Birth Piano Solo

It has been a while since I put out a piano solo. In a comment on my site, a woman named Sheri said, “I love all your piano solos arrangements of church songs. Have any more? Or are you busy Momming? 😁”

It was seriously that comment that put me in front of the piano to write this. I thought, “Wow, someone actually wants more of my arrangements.” I was really touched.

I picked my favorite sacrament hymns and a few months later, it was done!

PDF: In Humility Our Savior/Jesus Once Of Humble Birth

In this video you can hear my kids in the background. It just shows how I write my songs and that’s just life these days. I love it and am grateful for it!

When I Let Him Inside

See the source image

When I wrote a hymn version of this last year, the whole time I was imagining beautiful piano with it. I finally have that completed!

I actually started writing this song as a primary song (knocking would be such a great action for singing time!) but realized the topic seemed deeper. So, I changed it to a hymn. The lyrics in the chorus still sound simple like a primary song but sometimes we as adults need to hear that.

I feel like the main talk I used for this was one by Sharon Eubank from April 2019 General Conference. She talked about times when we need to draw to the Savior and how we do that. The concepts from that talk relate to so many people in so many different situations. I hope this song speaks in a similar way.

When I Let Him Inside Soprano (PDF)

When I Let Him Inside Alto (PDF)

I wish I had a real recording with a better voice than mine (and me playing all the right notes ) because this song has become so special to me. Maybe someday…

When I Let Him Inside

The Savior stands knocking.
O come, ye weary soul,
Come, those with questions,
And those with scarlet wool.
When paths fill with darkness
And doubting clouds my sight
Faithful prayers transform my view.
I feel heaven’s light.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let Him inside.

The Savior stands knocking.
I come to Him in steps.
Each one will carry
Eternal consequence.
Though efforts feel awkward
And weakness slows my stride
When my gaze is lifted up
Promises ignite.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let Him inside.

By op’ning to Jesus
My burdens will be light,
Deep wounds have healing,
And crimson sins turn white.
With ongoing action,
Delaying change no more,
Cheerful courage I will take;
Blessings are assured.
Help my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
My heart to open wide
That I might feel the peace that comes
When I let the Savior inside.

My Savior, A Song About Death

I follow the Primary Music Leaders facebook page. I noticed a few discussions about what to do/sing when someone in the ward passed away (a child or parent especially). I was thinking how it would be so nice to have a song that addressed this situation. Sure, there are songs that brush the topic but it’s such a big part of life I felt it needed it’s own song.

I have had very little experience with death. For that reason I felt I shouldn’t write this song. But the prompting was strong. I told my husband Sunday morning of the October 2018 General Conference about my prompting. I said, “If there is a talk about death, I will know for sure I need to write a song about this.” First talk of that morning was President Ballard’s talk, “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead.” Heavenly Father blessed me with reassurance.

I started off trying to write about what happens when a person dies. Shortly after doing this I was stumped. I prayed about it. Later I had an impression to focus the song on the Savior. No wonder I wasn’t being inspired. Without the Savior, there would be no hope associated with death. The sting of death would be unbearable. Reading Doctrine & Covenants 138, as suggested by Elder Ballard, I found my chorus in verses 23-24: “And the saint rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. Their countenances shone, and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them, and they sang praises unto his holy name.” That was a good place to start.

My first draft was about how people feel sorrow but, there’s Christ, so all will be OK. I felt like it was insensitive. I read articles and listened to people about their experiences. Some people who experienced the death of someone close said people would tell them they must be so grateful for the Savior and not address their grief. I really wanted to rewrite the lyrics to validate that everyone experiences a wide range of sad emotions: grief, sorrow, loneliness, anger, confusion while still manifesting the hope of Christ.

Let’s say to get that idea across took a lot of work. But every times I came up with something that worked, I was elated! I finished the song the week before April 2019 General Conference. At conference President Nelson spoke about people who refuse to receive essential ordinances. He said, “while there is a place for them hereafter–with wonderful men and women who also chose not to make covenants with God–that is not the place where families will be reunited and given the privilege to live and progress forever.”

The second verse to my song says, “While I have time on earth I will keep God’s commands. For I want to return to heaven and be with my loved one again.” Having previously written this line, and hearing President Nelson’s words, I felt the spirit guided me to hit that nail on the head. We must do our part to be with our loved one again and Christ will make up for what we lack. He is risen. He atoned for our sins. Because of Him we can be with our loved ones again but we need to do our part.

My Savior (pdf)

My Savior (A song about death)

When my loved one departs
And on earth I remain
Do I feel loneliness or anger?
Am I wrong to feel so much pain?
If I turn my thoughts to the Savior,
Who knows all my sorrow and grief,
His peace will come as I ask
The spirit to comfort me.

My knee shall bow for my Savior, Redeemer.
My lips shall sing His praise.
He dries my tears and gives me hope
That life goes beyond the grave.

While I have time on earth
I will keep God’s commands.
For I want to return to heaven
And be with my loved one again.
So I’ll turn my thoughts to the Savior,
Atoning for all who would live.
This great vicar’ous gift brings
Deliv’rence from death and sin.

My knee shall bow for my Savior, Redeemer.
My lips shall sing His praise.
He dries my tears and gives me hope
That life goes beyond the grave.

One Little Sheep

I wanted to write a primary song that was good for nursery/junior primary: repetitive lyrics and actions that easily go with the lyrics. This tune and these lyrics came to my head one day. I have always loved the imagery of Jesus as the Good Shephard so it made sense that this is what I came up with 🙂

I love that while the music is simple, the message is inspiring. Making it applicable for senior primary too!

Sheet music: One Little Sheep

When I Am Baptized

I have wanted to do an arrangement of this song for a long time but I was kind of waiting for inspiration to strike. Well, strike it did and just in time for my son’s baptism this year! I wrote the violin/piano version first and really wanted a voice option too. So, I modified the music and created that also.

You’ll notice I did my signature signature 🙂  Yep, I changed it from 3/4 to 6/8. I may love 6/8 a little too much!

I’m hoping to get recording with a real violin when my sister-in-law comes into town next. For now, this will do. I hope you love this version as much as I do (I sit down just to play this all the time)!

When I Am Baptized Piano/Violin
When I Am Baptized Violin
When I Am Baptized Piano/Voice

Piano/Violin:

Piano/Voice:

When Faith Endures

First off, this song is unbelievably fun to play and sing. So even if you’re not a great singer but like to sing  (like me) try it out after listening to it and getting the feel for it in your head.

About the song…

I have always liked the lyrics to this song. I felt like I wanted to do to this song what Rob Gardner did to Savior Redeemer of My Soul. Ok, so mine isn’t nearly as touching as that amazing arrangement but it sure gave me inspiration.

I really wanted to add a second verse. I found one that had some great lyrics written by Bryant Adams. With his permission I changed a few of the lyrics. I really wanted the song to end with “when faith endures” and I wanted to add this idea by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf given in a general conference address entitled, “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe”:

“When we choose to believe, exercise faith unto repentance, and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, we open our spiritual eyes to splendors we can scarcely imagine. Thus our belief and faith will grow stronger, and we will see even more.”

Oh, I love that and I hope that message comes across in this arrangement. I recommend opening up the music in another tab and following along with the video since the melody and lyrics will be unfamiliar. Enjoy!

When Faith Endures