Praise to the Man
Encyclopedia
"Praise to the Man" is a poem written as a tribute to Joseph Smith, Jr. by Latter Day Saint leader and hymn writer William W. Phelps. The poem was composed soon after Smith's death
, and was later set to music and adopted as a hymn
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was first published anonymously in the church newspaper Times and Seasons
in August 1844, approximately one month after Smith was killed. The hymn is still used within the LDS Church and is hymn #27 in the current LDS Church hymnal
.
during its time in Kirtland, Ohio
, and subsequently served as a leader in Missouri
before leaving the church due to unresolved financial issues and personal dissatisfaction. Declaring himself an enemy to the Mormon prophet, Phelps offered to testify against Smith in an intended Missouri trial for treason
in which Smith would be the main defendant. However, the proceeding never took place, and Smith and his associates were allowed to escape to the newly-established Mormon haven of Nauvoo, Illinois
in 1839.
Two years later Phelps experienced a change of heart toward Smith, and wrote him a repentant letter asking for forgiveness and a chance to rejoin the Latter Day Saints in Illinois
. Smith's reply offered Phelps his full forgiveness, and a return to the Latter Day Saints with no further consequences. Phelps was deeply touched by this development, and upon his return he became an enthusiastic and devoted disciple of Joseph Smith's, who was invited to speak at his funeral following Smith's murder
in June of 1844. His poem, "Joseph Smith", followed in August of that same year, and has since become a popular Mormon hymn.
, the LDS Church officially changed the words "Stain Illinois" to "Plead unto heav'n".
.
The LDS hymnal now uses a melody based on "Scotland the Brave
" in honor of Phelps's Scottish
heritage. The tune is modified to match the syllable count of the text.
Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.
The death of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844 marked a turning point for the Latter Day Saint movement, of which Smith was the founder and leader. When he was attacked and killed by a mob, Smith was the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and running for President of the United States...
, and was later set to music and adopted as a hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was first published anonymously in the church newspaper Times and Seasons
Times and Seasons
Times and Seasons was a 19th-century Latter Day Saint periodical published monthly or twice-monthly at Nauvoo, Illinois, from November 1839 to February 15, 1846...
in August 1844, approximately one month after Smith was killed. The hymn is still used within the LDS Church and is hymn #27 in the current LDS Church hymnal
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official hymn book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
.
Origin
William Wines Phelps, the hymn's author, became involved in Joseph Smith's movementLatter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
during its time in Kirtland, Ohio
Kirtland, Ohio
Kirtland is a city in Lake County, Ohio, USA. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census. Kirtland is famous for being the early headquarters of the Latter Day Saint movement.-Origins of Kirtland:...
, and subsequently served as a leader in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
before leaving the church due to unresolved financial issues and personal dissatisfaction. Declaring himself an enemy to the Mormon prophet, Phelps offered to testify against Smith in an intended Missouri trial for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
in which Smith would be the main defendant. However, the proceeding never took place, and Smith and his associates were allowed to escape to the newly-established Mormon haven of Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
in 1839.
Two years later Phelps experienced a change of heart toward Smith, and wrote him a repentant letter asking for forgiveness and a chance to rejoin the Latter Day Saints in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Smith's reply offered Phelps his full forgiveness, and a return to the Latter Day Saints with no further consequences. Phelps was deeply touched by this development, and upon his return he became an enthusiastic and devoted disciple of Joseph Smith's, who was invited to speak at his funeral following Smith's murder
Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.
The death of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844 marked a turning point for the Latter Day Saint movement, of which Smith was the founder and leader. When he was attacked and killed by a mob, Smith was the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and running for President of the United States...
in June of 1844. His poem, "Joseph Smith", followed in August of that same year, and has since become a popular Mormon hymn.
Changes
Part of the original text of the second verse read: "Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, / Stain Illinois, while the earth lauds his fame." In 1927, in accordance with its "good neighbor" policyGood Neighbor policy (LDS Church)
The "Good Neighbor" policy is a collective term used to describe a variety of reforms adopted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1927...
, the LDS Church officially changed the words "Stain Illinois" to "Plead unto heav'n".
Tune
Phelps originally suggested "Star in the East" as the hymn tune, which is probably the same melody as "Star in the East" from Southern HarmonySouthern Harmony
The Southern Harmony is a shape note hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker. The book was released in 1835 under the full title of The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note singing....
.
The LDS hymnal now uses a melody based on "Scotland the Brave
Scotland the Brave
"Scotland the Brave" is a Scottish patriotic song. It was one of several songs considered an unofficial national anthem of Scotland.Scotland the Brave is also the authorised pipe band march of The British Columbia Dragoons of the Canadian Forces, and is played during the Pass in Review at Friday...
" in honor of Phelps's Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
heritage. The tune is modified to match the syllable count of the text.