Two Hymns Based on Nephi’s Psalm: Texts and Commentary

The first line of Nephi’s Psalm (found in 2 Nephi 4:16–35) matches perfectly the iambic pentameter of Jean Sibelius’s “Finlandia,” more commonly known among Latter-day Saints as the hymn “Be Still, My Soul.” Because of this coincidence, John S. Tanner decided to write lyrics based on Nephi’s Psalm, called “I Love the Lord,” after which he solicited the help of Ronald J. Staheli in composing a musical arrangement based on “Finlandia.” Tanner later wrote another adaptation of Nephi’s Psalm, called “Somestimes My Soul,” using the tune of an American folk song. He explains the process of writing these two songs and the accompanying challenges.