Ebenezer Beesley facts for kids
Ebenezer Beesley (born December 14, 1840 – died March 21, 1906) was an important Latter-day Saint hymn writer and composer. He wrote the music for many hymns used in the 1985 English hymnal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, twelve of the hymns in that book have music written by him.
Contents
Ebenezer Beesley's Early Life
Ebenezer Beesley was born in a town called Bicester in Oxfordshire, England. His parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was quite young. He was baptized as a member of the church on September 22, 1849.
Moving to a New Home
In 1859, Beesley and his family moved to Utah Territory in America. They traveled with the George Rowley Handcart Company. His first wife, Sarah Hancock Beesley, was with him. They first lived in Tooele, Utah, but later moved to Salt Lake City.
A Life Full of Music
In Salt Lake City, Ebenezer Beesley was very involved in music. He served as both the choir director and the music director for the Sunday School in his local church area. He also studied music with a teacher named George Careless.
In 1863, Beesley joined the Salt Lake Theatre Orchestra. He played the violin in the orchestra. He later had 16 children in total between 1860 and 1883.
Helping with Hymnbooks
Ebenezer Beesley wrote for a magazine called the Juvenile Instructor. He was also chosen by John Taylor to help with a very important project. This project was to publish the Latter-day Saints' Psalmody. This was the first hymnbook for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that included music. It was published in 1860 and again in 1883.
Leading the Tabernacle Choir
In 1880, Beesley became the director of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In September of that same year, he led the choir on their first trip outside of Salt Lake City. They traveled to American Fork, Utah. There, they performed with the local choir for many people. Beesley was the director of the Tabernacle Choir until 1889.
Later Years and Legacy
After working with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Beesley taught music in Tooele. He also taught for a time in Lehi, Utah. Later, he moved back to Salt Lake City, where he passed away.
Ebenezer Beesley's music continues to be sung today. In the 1985 hymnal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the music for these hymns was composed by him:
- 5 "High on the Mountain Top"
- 16 "What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold"
- 32 "The Happy Day at Last Has Come"
- 76 "God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee"
- 77 "Great Is the Lord"
- 156 "Sing We Now at Parting"
- 177 "Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love"
- 185 "Reverently and Meekly Now"
- 232 "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words"
- 280 "Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning"
- 282 "We Meet Again in Sabbath School"
