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Utahn's noted for great notes

I have recently sent a son and Sister from our Ward into the mission field. The farewell service featured Janice Kapp Perry songs: We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman), and Sisters of Zion. Both these songs are favorites for any of our faith. The works from this artist are part of our culture. Thank you so much for this article featuring one we have come to know and love through her works.

When I was Primary Chorister years ago I was searching for a specific song about the Savior's childhood. I owned several books of sheet music written by Janice Kapp Perry and thought I would "call the office" phone number listed in the book to see if she had written anything I didn't know about which might meet my needs. I was surprised that the number I called was actually her home number and I caught her in her kitchen making breakfast. Although she didn't currently have a song which met my needs, I was impressed with her humility and how much of a regular gal she was, so unlike the average professional musician. I have always enjoyed her music for its singability and playability, despite what other snobbish "professional" musicians have said to me about how "simplistic" it is. Sometimes those who are learned think they are wise and try to complicate things too much. Thank you for this wonderful article about her. And thank you Janice for continuing to produce singable testimony building songs.

I grew up singing Janice Kapp Perry music. Her songs filled me with faith and testimony. Over 20 years ago my mother asked me to sing "The Test" at her funeral. That was before she became paralyzed. The words fit her then, but they fit even more as she left this life in October of 2007. I have written a few songs in my life as well, one of them was on my mission to England. The words are simple, and the music is simple, but I played it on my guitar and have never had it composed with piano music. She has inspired me to try to do it, because she knows that with the spirit, all things are possible. I have always told people that the spirit wrote that baptism song, not me. I know that the spirit writes her music and it blesses us all. Music comes out of my heart from no where all the time. I dont have the skills to write accompaniaments... but the words and music ring through my home and fill me with joy. I guess I should learn to write them down.