26. Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!
Radiant beamed the sun above.
Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,
Music ringing thru the grove,
When within the shady woodland
Joseph sought the God of love,
When within the shady woodland
Joseph sought the God of love.

2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—
’Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer—
When the pow’rs of sin assailing
Filled his soul with deep despair;
But undaunted, still he trusted
In his Heav’nly Father’s care,
But undaunted, still he trusted
In his Heav’nly Father’s care.

3. Suddenly a light descended,
Brighter far than noonday sun,
And a shining, glorious pillar
O’er him fell, around him shone,
While appeared two heav’nly beings,
God the Father and the Son,
While appeared two heav’nly beings,
God the Father and the Son.

4. “Joseph, this is my Beloved;
Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!
Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,
And he listened to the Lord.
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God,
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God.

Text Information
First Line: Oh, how lovely was the morning!
Title: Joseph Smith’s First Prayer
Author: George Manwaring, 1854–1889
Meter: 8 7 8 7 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1985
Scripture:
Topic: Faith; God the Father; Joseph Smith (3 more...)
Notes: Scripture references from LDS canon: Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20, 25
Tune Information
Name: DIVINITY
Composer: Sylvanus Billings Pond, 1792–1871
Adapter: A. C. Smyth, 1840–1909
Meter: 8 7 8 7 D
Incipit: 34555 11771 22244
Key: B♭ Major



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