My Servant Joseph 200th Anniversary
Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration. Walk by his side as he grows in testimony, rejoices with angels, sorrows in tribulation, finds peace from the Savior and holds out faithful until death. My Servant Joseph Kenneth Copes landmark album, reminds us of the importance of the Prophet’s great mission.
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Track List:
- Birthright
- They Kingdom Come
- Learning for Myself
- My Servant Joseph
- Tiny Hands
- Founding Zion
- Go With Me
- Sleigh Ride
- Going As a Lamb
- Man of Sorrows
- Miraculous Nauvoo
- Brothers
- Tears Flowing Fast
- O Lord My God
- Why Must the Good Die/ Free At Last
- Come Follow Me
Lyrics:
1)Birthright © 2000 Merge Right Music/Mohrgüd Music (BMI) Assistance with Hebrew translation: D. Kelly OgdenThe Jews have a long standing tradition concerning a “secondary messianic figure” who will make his earthly appearance before the glorious coming of the Christ. They refer to him as “the Messiah son of (i.e., of the tribe of) Joseph (or Ephraim), whose coming precedes that of the Messiah, son of David, and who will die in combat with the enemies of God and Israel.” (Encyclopedia Judaica, volume 11, column 1411.)
ben Abraham son of Abraham ben Yitzhak son of Isaac ben Ya’akob son of Jacob ebed nivkhar chosen servant ben Yosef son of Joseph ben Efraim son of Ephraim navi kadosh l’Elohim holy prophet of God l’daber b’ad Elohim to speak for God
2)Thy Kingdom Come © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“The spiritual powers [of the Church] have been not only corrupted . . . but absolutely destroyed . . . . Christianity has ceased to exist among those who should have preserved it.” (Martin Luther, 16th Century.) “There is no . . . church on earth, nor any person qualified to administer any church ordinances; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church for whose coming I am seeking.” (Roger Williams, 17th Century.) “The religion builders have so distorted and deformed the doctrines of Jesus . . . . [I am] happy in the prospect of a restoration of primitive Christianity . . . .” (Thomas Jefferson, 18th Century.)
Hear us Lord, hear us Lord God most holy, God of glory Thou wast turned away Men set in motion, truth’s erosion Down to the latter day O let Thy living voice be heard Guide us Lord who love Thy word
CHORUS: Helper of man most willing All of Thy words fulfilling Father and Son – Thy kingdom come
Thou hast spoken (opened the heavens) By Thy chosen, (angels and men) Then Thy speaking ceased Now this chaos (Lord have mercy) Who will save us (Mercy Lord) Lord we turn to Thee
Promises through prophets past Assure that Thou wouldst send us Prophets at the last
REPEAT CHORUS
Thy will be done on earth by men As is in heaven Give us this day the heavenly Bread Forgive our sin as Thou hast said Speak once again
CHORUS
Let us be our Father’s daughters And become our Father’s sons Thy kingdom come
3)Learning For Myself © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“I [had] learned for myself . . . that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain . . . .” (Joseph Smith-History 1:20, 26.)
Younger and so unsure Where could I turn to find my way And the witness I thirsted for could I obtain
Then how it came to me I heard the words of long ago “Ask Him and you’ll receive” And now I can say I know
CHORUS: I’m learning for myself Trusting He will tell Doubting no more Learning for myself
There are those who deny my words They refuse to believe that God will speak But the voice they know not I’ve heard I’ve felt His will for me
REPEAT CHORUS
He is the surest way To know of Him, go to Him For He speaks to those who believe And I believe So He keeps leading me
REPEAT CHORUS
I will knock at the door And keep learning for myself
4)My Servant Joseph © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“Thus saith the Lord God . . . A choice seer will I raise up . . . and unto him will I give a commandment that he shall do a work for . . . his brethren. . . . And out of weakness shall he be made strong . . . . and his name shall be called Joseph, and it shall be after the name of his father; and . . . the thing which [I] the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.” (JST Genesis 50:27-33; 2 Nephi 3:7-15.)
Hear the words of Christ, your Redeemer He who liveth, He who was slain The Lord Almighty Whose ways will never change I now come down from heaven And call on thee to labor for my cause
Thou shalt be called a prophet and a seer To lead my people, feed my sheep Build up my Zion Reveal the words I speak That all who hear and hearken (Hear and hearken) Shall receive salvation from the Lord
CHORUS: My servant Joseph Thy name is Joseph Saints follow Joseph My servant Joseph
The voice of the Lord is unto every nation All must answer, none shall escape Heed my disciples sent in these latter days Make clear the way before me I soon come to reign upon the earth
REPEAT CHORUS
Look to Joseph, trust in Joseph His name is Joseph My servant Joseph
5)Tiny Hands © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“. . . I . . . beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.” (D&C 137:10.) “. . . pointing to the mother of a lifeless child, [the Prophet Joseph] said . . . ‘You will have the joy, the pleasure, and satisfaction of nurturing this child, after its resurrection, until it reaches the full stature of its spirit.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 454-56.)
(Emma) Another pair of tiny hands To lay beneath the clay Slumbering little baby eyes To wake another day O God of heaven, come guard this bed And let this angel sleep Till earth is pure for tiny hands And safe for tiny feet
(Joseph) A wondrous little baby smile The hope of things to be Born to face a troubled world For a moment, and then set free O God of heaven, take hate from man Till lambs and lions feed And make earth pure for tiny hands And safe for tiny feet
Tiny hands Angel hands Perfect hands Blameless hands (Both) Lifeless hands resting in the night Waiting for the light When life will follow O God of heaven, send Christ again Bring in His reign of peace Let earth turn pure For tiny hands And safe for tiny feet Then give back my child to me
6)Founding Zion Arrangement © 2000 Merge Right Music/Mohrgüd Music (BMI) Music: Henry Tucker / Anon. Text: William W. Phelps
“. . . it is after the Lord has built up Zion that He will appear in His glory. We all look for the appearing of . . . our Savior Jesus Christ, but we shall look in vain until Zion is built, for Zion is to be [His] dwelling place . . . when He comes.” (the Bishopric of Kirtland, History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 516.) “And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:18.)
Hosanna to those days ahead The Savior’s second coming When all the earth in glorious bloom Affords the Saints a holy home Like Adam-ondi-Ahman Our blessed Zion
7)Go With Me © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“. . . God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto . . . even the least Saint . . . as fast as he is able to bear [it] . . . .” (History of the Church, vol. 3, p. 380.) “. . . it is your privilege to purify yourselves and come up to the same glory, and see for yourselves, and know for yourselves. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 284.)
God begins again To work His wonder from the clouds Words of sleeping prophets Rise as treasure from the ground Messengers from heaven speak to man on earth This man has heard
Knowledge long forgotten Now is given Face to face Light is bursting forth And turning darkness into day Man can know his Maker if only he’ll receive This man has seen
Go with me to Cumorah Go with me, hear the angels voice Learn of truths taught now from heaven And what’s soon to be Go with me
Would to God that all Could speak the mind and will of heaven None would need be taught To know the kingdom come again Why will man not hearken God can make you free Why not believe Believe
Go with me to the angels Go with me, feel the hand of power Hear the voice proclaim salvation And restore the keys Go with me
Go with me to living waters Drink and bow the knee Taste the love of heaven Yes, come and see Come and see
Go with me on to glory Go with me through the heavenly gate Find your place with saints and angels In the world of peace, go with me
Go with me past the angels Go with me to the throne of grace To the presence of the Father And to Jesus, come Go with me, go with me
8)Sleigh Ride © 2000 Merge Right Music/Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
Joseph rejoiced in the temporal earth God had created for humankind, “to please the eye and to gladden the heart…and to enliven the soul.” (D&C 59:18, 19.) He knew the long-term value of regularly “unstringing the bow.” At Kirtland, over the course of a few months, just before the temple’s dedication, Joseph mentioned in his history more than a dozen times something about sleigh riding. To quote a few: “Fine sleighing, and the snow yet falling” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 323); “Had a fine ride—sleighing good, weather pleasant” (Ibid., p. 324); “Beautiful morning, indeed, and fine sleighing” (Ibid., p. 328); “. . . snow is still falling fast, and the prospect is fair for another run of sleighing . . . .” (Ibid., p. 406.)
9)Going As A Lamb © 1993 Mohrgüd Music “If thou art called to pass through tribulation . . . know thou . . . that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 122:5-7.)
(Joseph) Tribulation for salvation Lead me, Lord, to Thee
(Emma) Why are they taking you again Tearing you from my outstretched hands Living hands that ease the burdens of your heart Hands that ache for love when we’re apart Will it never stop
Yet we’ve counted the cost I am going as a lamb
(Joseph III) Father, O Father Why can’t you stay with us Father, dear Father Must they take you away from us What will they do with you
(Joseph) Now the sword is drawn And I can’t look on I am going as a lamb
If they slay you Joseph I am sure to die Emma, give me words of consolation For without you husband, I can’t live Now my heart is broken I won’t live You must live My grief can’t be spoken Let heaven give comfort once again I can’t live Think of the children, you must live Think of me (Both) Lord be near
Tribulation For salvation (Both) Lead me, Lord, to Thee
So the day may come That your work is done And I’ll be going as a lamb To die
10)Man Of Sorrows © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“The Son of Man hath descended below . . . all [things].” (D&C 122:8.) “He [was] despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief . . .” (Mosiah 14:3.) “. . . he [has suffered] pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind . . . . that his bowels may be filled with mercy, . . . that he may know . . . how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:11-12.)
Man of sorrows, man of grief First believed, then betrayed Thou who knows me, Friend most sure Man of counsel, help me to endure
King of mercy, Lord of love Ease the way, calm the storm I am hated for Thy sake Come and rescue, Savior, don’t delay
Thou, dear Lord, has passed below it all Felt all pain, every help withdrawn That Thou may have mercy Have mercy Help me, come to me
Source of comfort, Prince of peace Fear’s relief, faith’s reward I am weary, used and worn Dear Redeemer, heal and make me whole Man of sorrows Jesus, take me home
© 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
11)Miraculous Nauvoo © 2000 Merge Right Music/Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
After escaping prison in Missouri and arriving in Illinois, it wasn’t long before Joseph began preparations for the founding of a city. The land chosen was “literally a wilderness . . . mostly covered with trees and bushes, and much of it so wet that it was with the utmost difficulty a footman could get through . . . so [unhealthy], very few could live there; but believing that it might become a [healthy] place by the blessing of heaven to the Saints . . . I considered it wisdom to make an attempt to build up a city.” (History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 375) And so by channeling the water, a city began to grow from what had been an uninhabitable swamp. It was soon named Nauvoo, a Hebrew term, signifying a beautiful place. A city plat was drawn up, buildings began to appear, streets were leveled, and converts began to pour in from all over. The missionary effort had won many souls, especially in the British Isles. The Nauvoo Legion was formed and a local government was established appointing Joseph Smith as its mayor. The crowning jewel, however, would be the temple that began to rise at the top of the hill to the east. It wasn’t long before Nauvoo rivaled Chicago as the largest city in Illinois—this beautiful city of Joseph—miraculous Nauvoo.
12)Brothers © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“. . . I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses . . . the meekness and humility of Christ; and I love him with that love that is stronger than death . . . .” (History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 338.) “. . . Brother Hyrum, what a faithful heart you have got! . . . [what] care you have had for my soul! O how many are the sorrows we have shared together; and again we find ourselves . . . [in the] hand of oppression.” (Ibid., vol. 5, pp. 107-08.) “I advised my brother Hyrum to take his family . . . and go . . . . [for if we were] ever taken again, we [would] be massacred . . . . I want Hyrum to live . . . but he is determined not to leave me.” (Ibid., vol. 6, pp. 520, 546.)
(Joseph) We have shared so many sorrows Been together through extremes But I ask you now, dear brother Part with me ’Cause I sense the greatest danger And you’ve so much left to give I want you to live
(Hyrum) Now you know I’ll never leave you And I trust in God to save But if not, then I am ready for the grave I’ve been true to you forever And I’m not about to change This brother stays
CHORUS: (Both) Brothers in name, brothers in heart Never to fade, whether near or far Brothers in life, brothers in death We’ll stand by each other My brother Through now and the end
You shall not have want for friendship There will be no need for care For as long as you are living (Both) I’ll be there I’ll go with you into prison I’ll go with you into death (Both) Again and again
REPEAT CHORUS
13)Tears Flowing Fast © 2000, 1993 Merge Right Music & Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
Joseph’s farewell to Emma and their children was certainly not without emotion. Two day’s earlier, as he was leaving them intending to go away to the west, he had come out of the house unable to speak, his tears flowing fast. How must it have been now, when he sensed his death was imminent? His children clung to his clothes, while Emma wept at his side.
14)O Lord My God © 2000, 1993 Merge Right Music & Mohrgüd Music
“A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”—Text: James Montgomery; Music: George Coles
A thick air of gloom hung over Joseph and the others at the jail. They had been continually threatened with death since their arrival. And although the chance of returning to his family didn’t seem likely, Joseph found some measure of comfort, enjoying at this time the companionship of a few of his most intimate friends, including his older brother, Hyrum. On June 27th, as John Taylor sang “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” and the words, “if I for him would die?” echoed in that upstairs bedroom, what might have passed through Joseph’s mind? It is not hard to imagine him mentally preparing himself to do just that—die for his Savior. Jesus had, after all, set Joseph’s feet upon the path that eventually led him here. Some twenty-four years earlier, by His own voice and presence, the Son of God had conversed with Joseph in the grove. Since then, revelation after revelation came from that familiar voice, beginning with such words as, “Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ . . . .” (D&C 38:1) Jesus was Joseph’s Lord—the God he had learned to obey. Joseph conversed with Him, received instructions from Him, worshipped Him, and knew Him intimately. It is therefore, no surprise that when gunfire began to fly around the prisoners like hail, and the work of murder commenced, the last words from the prophet’s lips were, “O Lord my God!” This was not a random cry of fear, such as the world uses, but most likely the beginning of an unspoken prayer, the substance of which we have yet to know. But Jesus knew, and was right there to take Joseph to Himself that he might, at last, be beyond the reach of his enemies.
15)Why Must The Good Die? / Free At Last © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI)
“. . . Why must the good perish, and the virtuous be destroyed? Why must God’s nobility, the salt of the earth, the most exalted of the human family fall victims to the cruel, fiendish hate of incarnate devils?” (John Taylor, Life of John Taylor, p. 141.) “. . . when I . . . saw my murdered sons extended both at once before my eyes . . . I sank back, crying to the Lord in the agony of my soul, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken this family!’ A voice replied, ‘I have taken them to myself, that they might have rest.’ . . . As . . . I arose again . . . [and looking] upon their peaceful, smiling countenances, I seemed almost to hear them say, ‘Mother, weep not for us, we have overcome the world by love; we carried to them the gospel, that their souls might be saved; they slew us for our testimony, and thus placed us beyond their power . . . ours is an eternal triumph.’” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, pp. 324-25.)
“He’s free; he’s free; the Prophet’s free! . . . Beyond the reach of mobs and strife, . . . He died; he died for those he loved . . . [And] rests unharmed in endless life.” (John Taylor, History of the Church, vol. 7, p. 334.)
Why must the good die Why are they taken Taken away, away Taken away Why
(Joseph) Free at last, safe at last Mobs and devils are now something of the past Free at last, home at last We have overcome by love Given all that God has asked That men’s souls might be saved And for this we are slain Yet in time we shall rise from the grave Christ redeems, trust and see Go with me to where God makes you free at last Free at last
16)Come Follow Me © 1993 Mohrgüd Music (BMI) music by George Coles; words by Kenneth Cope Additional lyrical ideas: John Nicholson (1839-1909), William Clayton (1814-1879), James Montgomery (1771-1854)
“[Jesus said], if thou wilt be perfect, . . . come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:21.) “. . . follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.” (2 Nephi 31:12.) “If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God . . . . Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.” (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 588.) “The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.” (Ibid., vol. 5, p. 24.) “. . . you must enlarge your souls towards each other, if you would do like Jesus, and carry your fellow-creatures to Abraham’s bosom.” (Ibid., vol. 4, p. 606.)
“Come, follow me” the Savior said Come do His will as Joseph did He walked the path and made it straight Kept Jesus’ word and saw His face “Come, follow me” – that blessed phrase It gives us hope for sinless days That we though mortals here below Can overcome through Christ, our Lord
Come, come ye Saints and make all well Come choose the way of life and peace Forsake the world and conquer self And help the stranger in his need Come live to fill the poor with food The lost with hope, the sad with love As Jesus showed, mere words won’t do Our faith and deeds must be as one
Soon in a moment now unknown The Savior comes to rule and reign He’ll set the faithful on His throne And send the wicked to their place And when He calls thee by thy name To ask if thou wast of Him ashamed Thy deeds shall then thine answer be How well thou heard “Come, follow me”
Come, follow me Come, follow me
