A. C. Smyth

Adam Craik Smyth was choir leader, choral instructor and conductor, and composer. He composed hymns that are included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: #43 (“Zion Stands with Hills Surrounded”), #50 (“Come Thou Glorious Day of Promise”), #244 (“Come Along, Come Along”). He also arranged #26 (“Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”) and the children’s song “Dare to Do Right.”

He was born on February 29, 1840, in Manchester, Lancaster, England. As a boy he studied music and when a young man he continued with the study of harmony, counterpoint, and composition at the London Conservatory of Music, from which school he graduated. He received certificates for completion of the Tonic Sol-Fa method of teaching to sing, read music at first sight, and write it from ear. He took examinations of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.

He married Emily Brown in Manchester on April 17, 1864. Three weeks after their marriage they left by ship for America. They had intended going to California, but they were abandoned by their company when they lost a wheel off their wagon. They traveled to Utah Territory with the William S. Warren Company in July 1864. They stayed in Salt Lake City briefly before they moved to Logan where he found employment as a schoolteacher and music instructor. It was here that he imported one of the few organs (which was in the family possession at the time of his death) that was brought across the plains by ox team.

In 1866, Smyth was finally baptized in Mendon, and his wife died when their youngest child was eleven days old. He married Rhoda Watson in 1868 and in 1874 he married Frances Harriet Townsden.

In 1875, he returned to Salt Lake City where he was a vocal instructor, choir director, and director of juvenile operas.

In 1881 he moved to Sanpete County and homesteaded in Fountain Green in addition to teaching music. In 1886 he moved to Manti where he was hired to teach and train a choir.

When the Manti Utah Temple was completed, Smyth was called as recorder and singing instructor for the temple. His Manti Choir sang for the temple dedication, and angelic singing was heard by some who attended the dedicatory sessions.

He died on January 12, 1909.