Joel Hills Johnson, eldest son of Ezekiel and Julia Hills Johnson was a LDS Church leader, missionary and colonizer and the author of poems and sacred songs. He is best known as the author of the well-known anthem of the Restoration "High on the Mountain Top."
Joel Johnson was also a Primitivist Seeker and a Millennialist and as such sought an organization that included the charismatic gifts of the New Testament Church and proclaimed the eminent return of the Savior. The year before his death he wrote:
"I was so carefully instructed by a pious mother, that I dared not do anything that would displease the Lord or my parents. As soon as I could read, she gave me a small New Testament, which I carried in my pocket. I neglected few opportunities of studying it, and often committed some of it to memory.
"My attention was early drawn to the ancient ordinances and blessings of the Church. I believed, as far as my limited comprehension allowed, in baptism for the remission of sins, in laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and in signs following the believer... I sought among the sects for it, but found it not."
In Mormonism however his search ended and his odyssey began. Once converted to the doctrines of the Restoration he never looked back or wavered from the course he believed God had set before him.
Notes by Carl Wallace McBrayer, Great-great grandson.
Thanks to one of my many cousins, Sandra Gwilliam for her sponsorship of our Great-Great Grandfather's page.
Joel Hills Johnson, eldest son of Ezekiel and Julia Hills Johnson was a LDS Church leader, missionary and colonizer and the author of poems and sacred songs. He is best known as the author of the well-known anthem of the Restoration "High on the Mountain Top."
Joel Johnson was also a Primitivist Seeker and a Millennialist and as such sought an organization that included the charismatic gifts of the New Testament Church and proclaimed the eminent return of the Savior. The year before his death he wrote:
"I was so carefully instructed by a pious mother, that I dared not do anything that would displease the Lord or my parents. As soon as I could read, she gave me a small New Testament, which I carried in my pocket. I neglected few opportunities of studying it, and often committed some of it to memory.
"My attention was early drawn to the ancient ordinances and blessings of the Church. I believed, as far as my limited comprehension allowed, in baptism for the remission of sins, in laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and in signs following the believer... I sought among the sects for it, but found it not."
In Mormonism however his search ended and his odyssey began. Once converted to the doctrines of the Restoration he never looked back or wavered from the course he believed God had set before him.
Notes by Carl Wallace McBrayer, Great-great grandson.
Thanks to one of my many cousins, Sandra Gwilliam for her sponsorship of our Great-Great Grandfather's page.
Family Members
-
Nancy Mariah Johnson
1803–1836
-
Seth Guernsey Johnson
1805–1835
-
Delcena Diademia Johnson Sherman
1806–1854
-
Julie Ann Johnson Babbitt
1808–1857
-
David Partridge Johnson
1810–1833
-
Almera Woodard Johnson Smith Barton
1812–1896
-
Susan Ellen Johnson
1814–1836
-
Joseph Ellis Johnson
1817–1882
-
Benjamin Franklin Johnson Sr
1818–1905
-
Mary Ellen Johnson Wilson
1820–1845
-
Elmer Wood Johnson
1821–1822
-
George Washington Johnson
1823–1900
-
William Derby Johnson Sr
1824–1896
-
Esther Melita Johnson LeBaron
1828–1876
-
Amos Partridge Johnson
1829–1842
-
Julia Ann Johnson
1827–1829
-
Sixtus Ellis Johnson
1829–1916
-
Sariah Anna Johnson Workman
1832–1925
-
Nephi Johnson
1833–1919
-
Susan Ellen Johnson Martineau
1836–1918
-
Seth Guernsey Johnson
1839–1927
-
Nancy Maria "Mary Marie" Johnson
1841–1842
-
Emily Johnson
1843–1843
-
Joel Hills Johnson Jr
1844–1846
-
Julia Anna Johnson Orton
1847–1879
-
Joel Andrew Johnson
1847–1926
-
Janet Mauretta Johnson Smith
1848–1933
-
David William Johnson
1849–1924
-
Mary Susan Johnson
1850–1851
-
Margaret Johnson
1850–1879
-
Joel Hills Johnson
1850–1902
-
James Fife Johnson
1852–1905
-
Joseph Elmer Johnson
1855–1858
-
Almon Babbitt Johnson
1855–1890
-
Hyrum Johnson
1856–1856
-
Esther Ellis Johnson Orton
1861–1949
-
Mary Elizabeth Johnson
1864–1877
-
Carlos Johnson
1866–1866
-
Joseph Hills Johnson
1866–1908
-
Ezekiel Johnson
1869–1957
-
Almera Woodward Johnson Little
1871–1937
-
Jeremiah Johnson
1874–1879
-
Margaret Hannah Johnson Shumway
1876–1917
-
Amos Partridge Johnson
1878–1895
-
John Henry Johnson
1881–1972