So … I’ve been pretty quiet about this. It’s so much more James Goldberg’s genius than mine, but the project did have its genesis here at Keepa, so …

Song of Names will be published electronically tomorrow (Friday, 24 July – Pioneer Day!), and we’re having an online launch party, and you’re invited! (Connection information at the bottom of this post.)

Song of Names is a celebration of individual lives who share our identity as Latter-day Saints. The collection draws on the “lesser known Saints” – supplemented with new stories to balance the collection geographically and chronologically – whose stories have appeared at Keepa: There’s “The Pied Piper of Dudley Port,” Hettie Hilda Harper, who invented Primary in 20th century England just as Aurilla Spencer Rogers invented it in 19th century Utah. There’s B.H. Roberts, chaplain of the First World War, writing elegies for the men under his care who died of influenza. There’s the young Jordi Ventura Subirats, whose letter of inquiry led to the first 20th century converts in Spain. There are William and Marie Graves, who “found the right church, but found the wrong people,” yet lived faithfully as Saints the remainder of their days. There are others you remember or will meet for the first time, and be blessed to have as your spiritual brothers and sisters.

Each chapter tells the story of one such Saint, usually modified from its appearance on Keepa. as historically responsible as James and I could make it. Then follows a poem written by James, sometimes retelling the story in poetic form; sometimes imagining how the character would tell her story; sometimes extending the story in a new direction. Then follows a short reflection on the life of that Saint and what his life means to us.

Artwork by Carla Jimison appears throughout the book, adding yet another dimension to these Saints’ stories.

James and I will discuss some of the stories and poems and process, and read parts to you during the launch party. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions. (If you’d prefer not to ask questions out loud, you can email me your questions – AEParshall at aol dot com. If they come in during the event I might not see them, but will try to keep an eye everywhere.

The event will also include an announcement for supporters of the long-delayed She Shall Be an Ensign project – no, the book is not yet ready but is still to come; this announcement will be a sort of peace offering in the meantime.

So join us on Friday, and share part of your Pioneer Day with some real Latter-day Saint pioneers, whose names and stories and voices are celebrated in Song of Names

How to join the party:

Date: Friday, 24 July 2020
Time: 7 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
Zoom link

Meeting ID: 990 4081 0239
Password: 575259

(If you’ve already been using Zoom, you’re set. If this is your first time, click on the link 5 minutes early, and the system will walk you through the steps of downloading the Zoom app and getting you set up)

We’d love to see your face and hear your voice (but please mute until it’s your turn!), but if you’re more comfortable with mic and camera turned off, that’s fine, too. Listen in anyway.