Entertaiment

My dear friend, John Victor Pearson (58) is dying of cancer. He knows his time on this earth is very short. He may not celebrate his November birthday or Thanksgiving on this side of the veil. Together we have co-written over eighty hymns and songs, and I consider him to be one of the finest hymn text writers the world has known. Words fail me when I try to describe the beauty of his hymn texts. I suppose I could just write my eulogy of John in my personal journal after he is gone, but I would like him to read it now. And I would like others to hear a sampling of his inspired texts which they are sure to know and love in the future.

About John . . .

If I were to just recite a few facts about John, I would simply say that he was born in Long Beach, California in 1951, received a BA degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, a masters degree in education from Utah State University, has served in the U.S. Army Reserves for thirty years and is a Lieutenant Colonel, was a computer programmer, a Data Base Administrator, a teacher, and a writer. From his first marriage, he has four children: Rachel, Rebekah, Sarah and John Andrew. He has been married to Peggy Smith Pearson for the last twelve years.

Looking a bit deeper into his spiritual beginnings and leanings, I would like to quote from a short bio compiled by Covenant Communications, who in 2009 published a book entitled, Another Witness: Music and Art That Testify of Christ, in which many of John’s hymn texts (set to music) were published alongside the Book of Mormon art of my brother, Gary Kapp:

“John V. Pearson was in high school when LDS missionaries knocked on his door. He listened to them, read the Book of Mormon, prayed, and received a testimony of the Church. Six months later he was called as a stake missionary, and two years after that he was called as a missionary to Chile. He has been sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ and His church ever since.  Part of that testimony has been shared through music. John has sung his entire life with various choirs, ranging from college and community choirs to the Mormon Youth Chorus, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. While singing in the choir, John began writing hymn texts and sharing them with friends—one of whom, Janice Kapp Perry, set some of John’s texts to music– hymns and songs that focus on the mission and life of the Savior, Jesus Christ.”

A Few Personal Insights

Because John is the only member of his family who has joined the LDS church, he has long held a special interest in family history and research, culminating in a frenzy of activity and excitement last year as he called me almost daily to report an ever-increasing number of relatives he had found and recorded. John shares my devotion to all BYU sports, and he and Peggy spend a few hours at our home after each BYU football game.  He even bought me a new Cougar t-shirt this year!  During his tours to Iraq and Korea for the military in the last few years, he created much good will toward the church with those he met. He is fiercely patriotic and has written some moving hymns that express his love of country. He just finished writing a book in which he expresses strongly-held views about what our country stands for and what we must do to triumph over the perils of our day.

John and Peggy have a beautiful home in Saratoga Springs, Utah where he has created so much beauty in his extensive yard—a haven and a  refuge for him. We recently spent a Family Home Evening with them during which family member Lisa Smith took pictures of them in their yard and home, after which we enjoyed some delicious boysenberry pie which Peggy had made from the fruits of John’s labors in his back yard. Afterward John and I sat on the piano bench, and I played while he sang several of our most recent hymns. I loved hearing his clear tenor voice once more even though he was a little short of breath. Such moments will live in our hearts forever.

There are so many things John was planning to write. Perhaps those on the other side of the veil will now read, sing, and be inspired by his marvelous texts. As I was reviewing his words in order to choose a few excerpts to share in this article, the tears flowed freely, and I did not try to hold them back as I felt anew the power of his words which were born of a lifetime of gospel and scripture study, as well as his marvelous ability to express his testimony so eloquently. Together we have felt a sense of mission and legacy as we have collaborated on these sacred hymns. Choosing a few excerpts was not easy, and space permits only one verse from several different hymns. Please let music play in the background of your mind as you read these John Victor Pearson gems:

Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands (v. 1)

Behold the wounds in Jesus’ hands,
The marks upon His side,
Then ponder who He meant to save
When on the cross He died.
We cannot see the love of God
Which saves us from the fall,
Yet know that Christ from wood and nails
Built mansions for us all.

I Marvel at the Miracle (v. 1)

I  marvel at the miracle
Of God’s great love for me.
I try but cannot comprehend
And ask how this could be.
For I had left behind my God
And lost my way through sin.
Still God loved me and sent His son
To lead me back to Him.

I Testify of Jesus Christ (v. 4)

When with all flesh my eyes shall see
My Blessed  Savior face to face
My witness then shall not exceed
The truth I know this day.
For God has written Jesus’ name
With pen of flame upon my soul.
And how can I but testify
Of Jesus Christ my Lord?

I’m Not Ashamed of Jesus Christ (v. 2)

I’m not ashamed of Jesus Christ;
I gladly bear His name.
His life was spent to save all men
And I would do the same.
I’m not ashamed of Jesus Christ;
Wherever I may be.
My days He sees. May He be pleased
And not ashamed of me.

The Lord Has Called Me to His Light (v. 1)

The Lord has called me to His light
And filled me with His song.
In psalms I raise my voice in praise
And angels sing along.
In awe of heaven’s harmony,
I strain to hear my part
And yearn to raise the melody
Which rings within my heart.

Be Not Afraid (v. 3)

Be not afraid though storms arise
And clouds and lightning fill the skies.
Though winds may howl and rend the trees
And drive you, humbled, to your knees.
A blazing fire shall warm your soul,
Renew your strength, and make you whole.
For God, who notes the sparrow’s fall,
Shall bear you safely through it all.

I Hear the Song of Freedom (v. 4)

I hear the song of freedom.
It moves each part of me.
I hear it when my heart beats,
And I feel it when I breathe.
I clap my hands, rejoicing
In my own liberty.
I’ll raise my voice and sing this song
‘Til ev’ry man is free.

What Sacred, Holy Hour is This? (v. 1)

What sacred, holy hour is this
When Jesus met with chosen friends
And washed their feet and prayed for those
Who’d love Him to the end?
How great the hour when Jesus gave
His bread as flesh and wine as blood
And gave to them His covenant
To make them sons of God.

Facing the Future

John and Peggy are facing this difficult time in their lives with grace and acceptance of the Lord’s will. I hope John feels joy and peace of mind, knowing that his words will inspire generations to come and bring them closer to God and all things beautiful—things he has written of so eloquently in his hymn texts. As I entered the temple with the Pearsons last week, John laid his recommend on the desk and the brother in charge pointed to the recommend and said, “You do know that you expire a month from now, don’t you?” We all suppressed a laugh as John, who has always seen the humor in every situation, replied,  “Yes, I know.

It will be interesting to see which expires first—the recommend or me!” The brother smiled good naturedly having no idea of the implications of that statement.

May His Own Words Comfort Him

After my brother, Jack Kapp, passed away in 2007, John wrote a special hymn text to comfort me and I set it to music. It is my hope that his own words can now bring a measure of comfort to John himself as he prepares for his next grand adventure. When that day comes, he will be sorely missed by many but remembered always through his inspired writings.

How Blessed Are They Who Die in Christ

Oh, who is like unto my God,
My blessed Jesus, He
My King of Everlasting Hope,
My Perfect Prince of Peace?
Who like my Lord makes death to flee?
With Him all men shall rise!
What greater gift could e’er be giv’n
Than His Eternal Life?

Where is the place that God abides?
What wonders would I see?
Yet, still my heart convinces me
It’s somewhere I have been.
And when my days on earth are done
Where shall my spirit go?
Back to my God where friends await
To welcome me back home.

Who shall not hear when Christ shall say
To all the dead “Come forth?”
When all who in the graves now lay
Shall stand upon the earth?
The widow shall no more be found.
No child shall stand alone.
For all as fam’lies may be bound
By bonds of endless love.

How blessed are they who die in Christ:
To them shall death be sweet.
Their cares and sorrows all shall cease;
Their joy will be complete.
What glorious hope this brings to me!
What perfect peace is mine!
Oh, who is like unto my God,
My Savior, Jesus Christ?

John’s works can be found in the four volumes of Inspirational New Hymns For Choir & Home found here.

Janice Kapp Perry:  Composer, author, lecturer.