Jovial Visitations! Music for Your Latter-day Holiday
Do you remember the 21st night of September?
It's a question every true Latter-day Saint asks themselves when fall comes around. From when he first appeared on September 21, 1823 to when he gave the Gold Plates containing The Book of Mormon to Joseph Smith on September 22, 1827, the Angel Moroni appeared for a visit every year at the Hill Cumorah. He even came back the same day in 1828 to give the plates back so Joseph could resume translation after the 116 pages debacle.
That's why today and tomorrow, we Latter-day Saints celebrate Visitation – colloquially referred to as "Moroni Day."
To help put you in the mood, we've created a handy Visitation Spotify playlist. It's organized into sections so you know what to expect before you press play.
Section 1 – The Gentile Bangers
"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire can't NOT be the theme to this holiday. It's literally about the 21st of September and love helping change hearts and minds. Repentence is definitely part of our culture so it's in.
"Holy Trumpeteer" by Daniel Romano has got it all. A solid groove, a holy trumpeteer suddenly appearing, and a washing machine made of solid gold. While the washing machine has nothing to do with anything, we like the solid gold part. It's on brand.
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day is the first somber entry on the playlist. The text weaves a story about summer ending after changing the innocent in a big way; the narrator thinking about his father while being drenched in pain but becoming who he was always meant to be; a lengthy, seven year period; and the desire to be woken up at the end of September.
When viewed through a Latter-day Saint critical lens, this is 100% about Moroni. The man wandered alone for 16 years before depositing the plates. This song contains Moroni's thoughts seven years in as he grieves his father's passing. The Battle of Cumorah claimed Mormon's life, the lives of 230,000 Nephite soldiers, and countless innocents. It's clearly a prayer for God to one day wake Moroni up through the power of resurrection so he can return someday at the end of September. Green Day is canon now.
Section 2 – Things Get Funkier
Not only does the groove return, but it returns in a weird way. Jamesthemormon and Jay Warren rap some much needed exposition about Joseph Smith in their song "Restoration" before Jukebox Mormon claims 8 entire spots on our list. The debate around AI generated content is raging hot right now, and while we're normally opposed to AI generated shiz, Jukebox Mormon has made some functionally groovy tracks that 1) are explicitly about the Book of Mormon 2) make reference to Visitation foods and 3) carry on the Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire. So until the Saints rise up and cover these songs properly, we'll have to make due with the work of lesser organized intelligences. To calm your nerves, here's a quote from John Taylor:
"If there is any truth in heaven, earth, or hell, I want to embrace it; I care not what shape it comes in to me, who brings it, or who believes in it; whether it is popular or unpopular, truth, eternal truth, I wish to float in and enjoy."
We also included an Alex Boye track about the Promised Land because The Book of Mormon is all about lands of promise.
Section 3 – A Delightful Detour from the Polynesian Saints
Poly music and culture is one of the most criminally underrated components of global Latter-day Saint life. It's an incredible blessing to have such great music in our midst.
This section is a template for how to write a Visitation love song. Christmas has 'em. Why not Visitation? Fall in love in September under the shadow of a great hill of considerable size convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario county, New York.
"Angel Eyes" by Makisi is all about angel eyes (on brand) getting someone to change their ways and prepare for the trumpet's call (way on brand) – but through the power of romance. #FlirtToConvert
"Golden Touch" by legends Junior Maile and Sione Toki is a racy, borderline explicit number about a girl with the golden (on brand) touch, and features a wonderful spoken intro where they shout out Happy Valley.
"Always There" by The Moleni Brothers has absolutely nothing to do with anything but it slaps.
Luckily, Nela Otuafi brings things back to the theme with his classic ballad "How Can I Be," which explicitly references Book of Mormon heroes.
Section 4 – TABCATS Sings About The Book of Mormon
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is such a specific vibe. It's so retro and stodgy and warm and beautiful and all the things. It's like the Visitation equivalent of old timey Christmas songs. Enjoy 5 hymns all about Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith and the gospel being restored.
As a bonus, we've thrown in another retro track. "Oh, My People" from The Living Scriptures is heartbreaking. Mormon gets some time to shine, singing a loving ode to his fallen people as he writes on the plates.
Section 5 – For the Kiddos
It's obvious: adults and kids singing Primary songs about The Book of Mormon. The section features InsideOut A Capella, Janice Kapp Perry, and superb arrangements from Matt Cropper.
Section 6 – Obligatory Nashville Tribute Band Section
If you got it, flaunt it.
Section 7 – Whimsical Instrumentals
Here's the section where beloved and iconic Visitation classics are reinterpreted in a more mellow fashion and without any words. It's nice. There are mandolins and pianos. Yeet.
Section 8 – Miscellaneous
We found this guy named Andrew J. Mair who did some indie pop stuff based on his feelings about The Book of Mormon instead of being explicitly about its contents. We like that approach, and he crafted some solid hooks that are worth appreciating even if, on first listen, you're not sure how it relates to the celebration.
"Moroni" by Cade Mower is less about this theological celebration and more about modern Utah life in general. But it's got great imagery; it's a solid performance; and it talks about Moroni blowing his horn into the sky. More people should listen to Cade.
Why did we put "Pressure Machine" by The Killers on here? Good question.
🎺 Jovial Visitation! 🎺