Joseph L. Townsend

Joseph L. Townsend (August 9, 1849–April 1, 1942) was a writer of many Latter-day Saint hymns.

Townsend was born in Canton, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Ohio, Kansas and Missouri. Townsend studied at the University of Missouri. [Cornwall, J. Spencer. "Stories of Our Mormon Hymns". (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975) p. 74] He came to Salt Lake City in 1872 to try and improve his health. While there he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Townsend later served as a missionary for the church in the Southern States Mission. [Cornwall. "Stories of Our Hymns". p. 74]

Townsend ran a drugstore in Payson, Utah for 15 years. He then taught for two years at Brigham Young Academy, the predecessor of Brigham Young University. After this he taught at Salt Lake City High School. [Cornwall. "Stories of Our Hymns". p. 74] He died at Payson, Utah .

His hymns that are in the 1985 Latter-day Saint hymnal are #52 "The Day Dawn is Breaking", #99 "Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee", #185 "Reverently and Meekly Now", #232 "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other", #239 "Choose the Right", #258 "O Thou Rock Of Our Salvation", #259 "Hope of Israel", #271 "Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love", #274 "The Iron Rod" and #286 "Oh, What Songs of the Heart".

ee also

*Choose the right

References