The writing of "Lord, I would follow thee"0

Mormon Life says: A really cool inside look into the writing of this popular hymn.

Sometimes Heavenly Father sends us opportunities that nearly take our breath away, and require that we gather everything we are, or desire to be -- everything we have accomplished or are praying for -- and place it all in his hands -- then walk, as we never have before, by faith.

This is what happened to me -- 25 years ago to the month -- when I wrote the text for the hymn, "Lord, I Would Follow Thee."

I had been writing for various church programs for more than 10 years, including song lyrics for several seminary projects. The "new hymn book" was a slow, unwieldy possibility that had been dragging along for five years or so. Michael Moody, the gentle, insightful man who for many years headed Church Music, would make a point of inviting me to submit texts for this new hymnal; indeed, every time our paths crossed, when I was working on one project or another, he would encourage me to do so.

I would go home and two very unusual things would happen, consistently so. One: I would attempt to write, but nothing of any merit whatsoever would emerge. Two: I would then promptly forget, the whole idea simply slipping out of my mind.

Read the rest of this story at MormonTimes.com