LDS poetry
Encyclopedia
LDS poetry is poetry written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about spiritual
topics or theme
s. Latter-day Saints have composed religious poetry
since the Church's beginnings in the early 19th century. For Latter-day Saints, poetry is a form of art
that can bring the Holy Spirit to the presented message. For example the Elder's Journal, published at Far West in 1838 and edited by Joseph and Don Carlos Smith, contained a beautiful poetic tribute to James G. Marsh. More recently poetry has been seen in Mormon General Conference talks given by Apostles of the church. For example, in 1972 as part of his address, Elder Bruce R. McConkie read his poem, "I Believe In Christ" which later became a much-loved LDS hymn. Many years later, Elder Boyd K. Packer shared his faith about the cleansing power of Jesus in his poem "Washed Clean" as part of his April Conference talk. While those examples are of personally composed pieces, poetry from many authors is often used in General Conference messages. In fact, the current President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, is an avid lover of poetry and has often referenced it in his own talks.
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
topics or theme
Theme (literature)
A theme is a broad, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Along with plot, character,...
s. Latter-day Saints have composed religious poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
since the Church's beginnings in the early 19th century. For Latter-day Saints, poetry is a form of art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
that can bring the Holy Spirit to the presented message. For example the Elder's Journal, published at Far West in 1838 and edited by Joseph and Don Carlos Smith, contained a beautiful poetic tribute to James G. Marsh. More recently poetry has been seen in Mormon General Conference talks given by Apostles of the church. For example, in 1972 as part of his address, Elder Bruce R. McConkie read his poem, "I Believe In Christ" which later became a much-loved LDS hymn. Many years later, Elder Boyd K. Packer shared his faith about the cleansing power of Jesus in his poem "Washed Clean" as part of his April Conference talk. While those examples are of personally composed pieces, poetry from many authors is often used in General Conference messages. In fact, the current President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, is an avid lover of poetry and has often referenced it in his own talks.
Notable LDS poets
- Susan Noyes Anderson (poetry site)
- Eloise Bell
- Marden J. Clark
- Michael Robert Collings
- Max C. Golightly
- Susan Elizabeth Howe
- Clinton F. LarsonClinton F. LarsonClinton Foster Larson was an American poet and playwright and the founding editor of BYU Studies.Larson was born in American Fork, Utah to Clinton Larson and his wife the former Lillian Forter. Larson started college at the University of Utah at age 16 with plans to study medicine...
- Lance Larsen
- John LyonJohn Lyon (poet)John Lyon was a nineteenth century Scottish Latter Day Saint poet and hymn writer.-Biography:Born into a poor and illiterate family in Glasgow, Lyon became an apprentice weaver at age nine...
- George ManwaringGeorge ManwaringGeorge Manwaring was a hymnwriter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Some of his works have become favorite LDS hymns and are found in the 1985 LDS Church hymnal.-Early life:...
- Carol Lynn PearsonCarol Lynn PearsonCarol Lynn Wright Pearson is an American poet, author, screenwriter, and playwright. Her parents were Lelland Rider Wright and Emeline Sirrine Wright. Her mother died of breast cancer when Carol Lynn was fifteen...
- Eliza R. Snow
- Emma Lou ThayneEmma Lou ThayneEmma Lou Thayne is a Mormon poet, counted as one of the 75 most significant.She graduated from the University of Utah in 1945. She would later return there to coach tennis and teach English...
- Orson F. WhitneyOrson F. WhitneyOrson Ferguson Whitney born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from April 9, 1906 until his death.-Early life:...
External links
- 75 Significant Mormon Poets by Sarah Jenkins and Gideon Burton, BYUBYU-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
Literature & Creative Arts