What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold
16

Text: Anonymous (ca. 1840)
Music: Ebenezer Beesley (1840–1906; LDS)
Tune name: ABRAM

Although we do not know the identity of this hymn’s author, we can be certain of that author’s response to the Book of Mormon. He or she studied it with not only the mind but also the heart and imagination on fire with “glorious scenes” and prophetic utterances.

Some knowledge of Latter- day Saint teachings is necessary to understand the significance of this hymn. The text does not mention the Book of Mormon by name but calls it “Ephraim’s records.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained, “The Book of Mormon is the stick of Ephraim in that it is a record of God’s dealings with a people who were of the tribe of Ephraim” (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 767).

The tune first appeared in the 1889 Latter- day Saints’ Psalmody. The text was in print by 1840.