Some Notes

• Inspiration came from Kathy’s participation in the stake youth trek in June 2015
• This arrangement is written for a congregation to sing
• Words were written by William W. Clayton shortly after learning that his wife had delivered a healthy baby boy in Nauvoo while he was camped in Iowa
• Became an anthem for the Saints on their journey west
• Stop settings are influenced greatly by the words of each verse as well as the overall feeling and message of the hymn

The Story Behind Come, Come, Ye Saints

The early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not have an easy time. They endured severe persecution wherever they went. They were driven from every place they settled in by violent, angry mobs often with only the clothes on their backs and what they could carry. There was even an extermination order issued against them in the state of Missouri. These angry mobs eventually martyred the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum in 1844 and drove the Saints from their beloved town of Nauvoo, Illinois shortly thereafter. After the abandoned town was looted an arsonist burned the temple in Nauvoo to the ground. When the decision was announced to go west to escape this religious persecution, nobody rushed up to church President Brigham Young eager to start the journey. All of them had to do some serious soul searching and decide if it was really worth it before they started toward the great unknown. Their courage and sacrifice has left a rich legacy for the members of the Church.