Lorin F. Wheelwright

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Lorin F. Wheelwright (1909–1987) was an American Latter-day Saint hymnwriter, composer, musical instructor and educator.

Wheelwright was the son of David S. Wheelwright and Valborg Rasmussen. His mother was an immigrant from Denmark. Wheelwright was the younger brother of D. Sterling Wheelwright, who was one of his early music teachers. He was raised in a Latter-day Saint home where hymn singing was common.[1] While still young he was a Sunday School pianist, and then ward choir pianist in the Ogden 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[2]

Wheelwright studied under Edward P. Kimball and Alexander Schreiner. He then studied at Columbia University and the Juilliard School of Music. He received a master's degree from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.[2]

Wheelwright succeeded J. Spencer Cornwall as the head of music education for the Salt Lake Public Schools. He also taught at Oswego Teachers College in New York. He was also a professor at Branch Agricultural College. After retiring as an educator Wheelwright formed a publishing company.[2]

From 1956 until at least 1971 Wheelwright served as a member of the Sunday School General Board of the LDS Church.[3] He also served for a time as associate editor of The Instructor, the LDS Church's Sunday School magazine before the consolidation of church magazines in 1971.

In 1967, Wheelwright became the dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University (BYU). In 1969, Wheelwright started the Mormon Arts Festival. In 1973, he was succeeded by Lael J. Woodbury as the dean and was made a special assistant to BYU President Dallin H. Oaks.[4]

Among the hymns that Wheelwright wrote are "O Love That Glorifies the Son", "Help Me Teach With Inspiration" and "Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee". He also wrote the words and music to "Come, All Ye Saints and Sing His Praise", which is not in the 1985 English edition of the LDS Church hymnal but was in previous editions.

Wheelwright also wrote "Mother I Love You", a song in the Primary Children's Songbook. He also edited and published an autobiography of his mother.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lorin F. Wheelwright, "Our Parents Taught Us through Hymns" in LaVonne VanOrden, Blessed by the Hymns.
  2. ^ a b c Cornwall, J. Spencer. Stories of Our Mormon Hymns (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1975) pp. 15–16.
  3. ^ Lorin F. Wheelwright, “The Rising Sun of the Gospel,” Ensign Mar. 1971, p. 69.
  4. ^ "Dr. Lorin F. Wheelwright, ca. 1973", photograph description, BYU Campus photographs, accessed 2008-03-24.
  5. ^ Valborg: An Autobiography of Valborg Rasmussen Wheelwright - WHEELWRIGHT, Lorin F - Used Books