Joseph Prayed in Faith
#1049 Hymns—For Home and ChurchLyrics
The Story Behind “Joseph Prayed in Faith”
A Primary music leader answered her bishop's challenge to bear testimony of Joseph Smith creatively — remembering the day her sister got lost in the Sacred Grove.
A Bishop's Unusual Invitation
In 2005 — two hundred years after Joseph Smith's birth — Rebecca H. Martin's bishop invited ward members to express their testimonies of the Prophet in creative ways. Martin was the ward Primary music leader and a mother of four, and she had never written a children's song in her life.
She prayed for guidance and read Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision, and 'words and melody began to take shape' — a song that walks children through the story: a boy with a question, a verse in James, a grove of trees, and an answer.
Lost in the Sacred Grove
Behind the song sits a childhood memory. When Martin was young, her older sister got lost during a family visit to the Sacred Grove itself. After a fervent prayer, the sister found her way safely back — and young Rebecca drew the obvious, enormous conclusion: if Heavenly Father answered Joseph Smith's prayer in that grove, and her sister's too, He would answer hers.
That is precisely what she hopes the song gives children: the confidence that they can turn to Heavenly Father whenever they need reassurance or guidance, and, like Joseph, pray in faith.
Twenty Years to the Hymnbook
First published by the Church around 2006 through its music submission program, the song waited two decades before being released on September 18, 2025, as hymn #1049 in Hymns—For Home and Church.
Its scriptural spine is the verse that started everything: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God... and it shall be given him.' Joseph believed it at fourteen. The song bets that children still can.
Did You Know?
- The song began with a bishop's 2005 challenge to bear testimony of Joseph Smith 'in creative ways' — during the bicentennial of the Prophet's birth.
- It was the author's first attempt at writing a children's song; she was the ward Primary music leader.
- As a child, Martin's older sister once got lost in the Sacred Grove itself — and was found after a prayer.
- The song waited nearly 20 years between its first Church publication and its hymnbook release.
- Its story arc follows Joseph exactly: question, scripture, grove, prayer, answer.
Scripture Connections
- James 1:5 — 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God' — the verse that sent a 14-year-old into the grove.
- Joseph Smith—History 1:11–17 — The First Vision, in Joseph's own words — the story the song tells.
- Jeremiah 29:12–13 — 'Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.'
Talk About It
Questions to spark a conversation with your family or Primary class:
- Joseph was 14 when he prayed in the grove. What question would you take to Heavenly Father?
- Rebecca Martin learned from her sister's experience that God answers ordinary prayers too. When has He answered one of yours?
- The song exists because a bishop asked members to share testimony creatively. How could you share yours in a way that fits your talents?
- What does it mean to pray 'in faith' rather than just saying words?
Teaching Resources
Attribution
Music by: Rebecca H. Martin, 2005
Text by: and music: Rebecca H. Martin, 2005
Audio files from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints