Sister Sheri Peterson
Ward Music Director
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION - HYMN 85
This favorite hymn has been part of many Christian hymnals since its first publication in 1787 and part of Latter-day Saints hymn tradition since Emma Smith's first hymnal in 1835. It's vigor and conviction are irresistible. In the words of this hymn we express our absolute faith in the saving and protecting power of our Savior. This hymn plays a role in a well known story from Latter Day Saint Pioneer History. In the dark days 1838 in Missouri, a small group of persecuted Saint had gathered at Haun's Mill. The state militia attacked the defenseless group and killed 17 Saints, including the husband and 10 year old son of Amanda Smith. Another son, Alma, had been seriously wounded. Amanda Smith gathered with other bereaved women and children at the home of one of the Saints. "In our utter desolation," she wrote later, "what could we women do but pray?" One day they received a message from the militia: the sound of their praying was hateful, and they would have to cease praying or be killed. They dared not pray aloud, but Amanda Smith stole out into a cornfield. "I prayed aloud and most fervently," she said. "When I emerged from the corn a voice spoke to me. It was a voice as plain as I ever heard one. It was no silent, strong impression of the spirit, but a voice, repeating a verse of the Saints' hymn: The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake! "From that moment I had no more fear. I felt that nothing could hurt me." The attackers later shared some food with the Saints, and Amanda Smith remarked: "The Lord had kept his word. The soul who on Jesus had lean for succor had not been forsaken even in this terrible hour of massacre." (Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom [New York: Tullidge and Crandall, 1877], pp.129-32)
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