"Joseph Smith’s First Prayer"

Episode 03: The history behind “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”—George Manwaring, the author of “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” was a music teacher and poet of rare ability; he never had a music lesson in his life, yet he was able to play piano and organ and teach–all of which he did by ear. Inspired by a painting of the First Vision, George put the story of the First Vision to song. The musical arrangement for the hymn was done by the trained musician A. C. Smyth, who adapted it from Sylvanus Billings Pond’s melody. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.