Did you realize that two of the three songs Brigham Young is known to have sung on his “first real mission,” in the winter of 1832-33, “were not peculiar to Mormonism, but came from wider Christian hymnody”?

I didn’t, but discovering that Brigham sang and found a spiritual nourishment from traditions beyond Mormonism struck a chord. Why? To answer that question, I invite you to tramp along with two brothers, Brigham and Joseph Young, and me as we share across religious denominations.

The theme of our journey is “Gifts to Inherit and Gifts to Share.” Since music is vital to this trip, you can listen to my new setting of a hymn the brothers Young sang. My new Presbyterian friend, Andrew Remillard, whom I found on Facebook, was generous enough to play this hymn for me:

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(More of Andrew Remillard’s music can be found on his Youtube channel.)

Winters along Lake Ontario can be especially chilling. What did Brigham and Joseph Young do to warm their enthusiasm?

We have few historical specifics, but I wonder if they yelled back and forth:

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” (3 Nephi 5:13)

“Come on, Brigham, is that the only scripture mastery verse you’ve learned so far? I’m not getting any younger.”

OK, so my terrible “younger” pun didn’t happen, but a letter from a contemporary reveals that they certainly sang and even shared song lyrics.

What better way to inspire faith for them or for us than to sing a gospel hymn?

Note that while they could have drunk from many inspirational sources, they chose a message of Christ’s gospel from existing church music. I would suggest that we could learn from their example. Personally, I’ve benefitted greatly from non-LDS friends, with whom I share so many beliefs in common. Their faith, testimony, and especially music have inspired me.

Ardis mentioned that the text I’ve adapted, “One Night as I Lay Musing,” was common in 19th century hymnals. I didn’t investigate what tunes were used, but I’m hoping that my new music and adapted words are in the proper spirit.

While composing this hymn, I not only imagined myself joining in chorus with Brigham and Joseph in the 1830s, but also transported myself to Old Testament times to celebrate the Jubilee. I enjoyed Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk, “A Meaningful Celebration,” where he notes: “Every fiftieth year, the land was to be returned to the original owners or their descendants; all Israelites sold into slavery for debt were to be freed; and the land, as in the seventh or sabbatical year, was to lie fallow.” Elder Perry’s message cultivated my understanding of the rich legacy that can be gained from Judaism.

My favorite Jubilee inheritance, however, was passed to me from ChristJubilee.com, where I read:

“To proclaim freedom to the oppressed, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, bring beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for heaviness.” Such was the good news to be experienced by all in the year of the Lord’s favor – the Jubilee. This announcement by Jesus of the Jubilee aroused boundless joy and hope to many who heard him; and the prophecy of Isaiah with which Jesus inaugurated his own ministry, is key to the reason and purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ even today.

Note: Jesus began his ministry with a clear reference to the year of jubilee. He spoke of freedom to the prisoners and releasing the oppressed and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. After proclaiming it he went on to bring deliverance from sin, sickness and Satan to multitudes of those who were bound and afflicted. All this culminated with his own deliverance from the chains of death, and fifty days later the deliverance of his followers from all fear on the glorious day of Pentecost. They in turn proclaimed deliverance and release to captives wherever they went.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I want to proclaim “deliverance and release to captives,” for I have much that is liberatingly virtuous, lovely, and praiseworthy to share. However, I also have much to learn.

I love LDS music, but if I only absorb that without embracing broader religious music, I would be missing some of the greatest music ever composed and truths ever told.

For me, one of the most profound messages of “Go, Sound the Jubilee” is to declare a time of jubilee between myself and all my brothers and sisters regardless of religious persuasion.

I was touched that my Episcopalian friend and composer, Thurlow Weed, helped me revise “Go, Sound the Jubilee,” adding eighth against dotted eighth rhythms to make it flow more smoothly. He also used it as the basis for an organ prelude for parishioners. He and I met recently on a Facebook church music group through an organist friend who attends a different denomination than either of us, but we are all united in our desire to produce uplifting hymns. Such friends as H. Juniper, W. Warren, T. Weed, J. Peterson, D. Kastberg, O. Collins, and A. Remillard’s kindness to me invokes the essence of Christianity.

Whether you feel moved towards music or another means of “sounding the Jubilee,” I hope to inspire reflection. How might you “sound joyful invitations to join the feast today” in your community?

In today’s too often jaded world, it can sound tacky to say “I love you,” but I mean it. I love my friends, whether from a similar religious background as mine or not. Whatever unkind feelings divide and take us captive must come down. Only then can we declare the acceptable year of the Lord.

“Go, Sound the Jubilee,” recorded by Thurlow Weed.

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