BTW, there's now an arrangement of this hymn for SATB chorus and piano. Enjoy!
Below is the result of a collaboration with my wife. I wrote the music (Hymn #3) and she supplied lyrics based on passages from the Gospel of Luke and the Doctrine and Covenants:
The melody and harmonization of the final phrase was modified to help emphasize the word "rejoice"--a subtle, but effective change.
This is exactly the kind of collaboration I've been seeking and welcome anyone to use my harmonizations for inspiration in writing hymn texts. Enjoy!
Who'll leave the ninety-nine to seek the one?
Lost in the wilderness, what can be done?
When found rejoicing with a loud resound.
Come, now rejoice with me, the lost is found.
A certain man had two sons that he loved.
The younger took his portion, he was gone.
All spent, the son repented, he came 'round.
Come, now rejoice with me, the lost is found.
The Son of Man is come to seek and save.
Repentance brings a miracle of change.
The sinner who repented, now unbound.
Come, now rejoice with me, the lost is found.
There have been times when I was very lost.
I searched in prayer and found I'm worth the cost.
My Savior's grace can save, His love surrounds.
Come, now rejoice with me, the lost is found.
-Jenny Whatcott
Luke 15
1 Then drew near unto him all the apublicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 ΒΆ And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
...
Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
D&C 18:10-16
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!