Thomas Durham was born in the early industrial boomtown of Oldham, Lancashire, England in 1828, and joined the church in 1850. He and his first wife Mary Morton survived the harrowing trek across the plains in the Martin handcart company in 1856, and settled in Parowan, Utah, where he was the heart of the community’s musical life, serving as ward choir director from his arrival there in 1856 until his death in 1909. He also directed a brass band and string orchestra under the guise of the “Parowan Harmonic Society.” Music was revealed to him in dreams, including an ancient Nephite melody. Family tradition has it that during a discussion about whether to buy a chandelier for the meetinghouse an objection arose from the back of the congregation asking, “Why go to all that expense when Brother Durham will be the only one able to play it?”
Very nice hymn and an excellent performance.