Uplifting music on new CDs

Uplifting music can be particularly inspirational for missionaries. And a number of local artists have produced CDs with that idea in mind. This music, of course, is not limited to missionaries — anyone who is looking for spiritually stimulating music may want to consider these:

• VARIED ARTISTS, "Let Us Go Forth" (Sounds of Zion/Inspirational Music Showcase)

• MICHAEL DOWDLE, "Twenty-five Beloved Hymns of the Restoration" (Sounds of Zion/Inspirational Music Showcase)

• MARK GESLISON and GEOFF GROBERG, "Witness For His Name: Music for Missionaries" (Covenant).

• Produced by Greg Hansen and featuring both original songs and favorite hymns, "Let Us Go Forth" was inspired by the faith, courage and commitment of Helaman's 2,000 stripling warriors. It "celebrates the spirit of missionaries and missionary work," says Hansen.

Songs include "The Spirit of God," "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" and "Called to Serve" performed by a variety of local musicians. The title cut, written by Hansen and his brother Barry, reinforces the feeling that "faith is more important than experience and also cancels out fear," says Barry. Equally powerful is the message of "Our Mothers Knew It," written by Don Stirling, with music by Denny and McKay Crockett, which uses the experience of the stripling warriors to encourage both faith and action. "It's a wonderful, wonderful song," says Greg Hansen.

It took them some time to "gather up just the right songs," he adds, "but we wanted this to be something that missionaries could listen to to enhance their study and performance, but would also be meaningful to families of missionaries and anyone with any missionary feelings at all."

• Michael Dowdle's "Beloved Hymns of the Restoration" doesn't target missionaries per se, but is music in keeping with their activities. It is the second in what Dowdle hopes will be a four-CD set. He has already released "Twenty-five Beloved Hymns of Christ," and is working on a collection of hymns of prayer and faith and children's songs.

They are all done by Dowdle on acoustic guitar, with the simplicity and emotion he brings to the task. Musically, says Dowdle, "I almost like this one better than the first one. The music is more traditional, and I had to dig deeper on the music side for the arrangements."