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Susan Evans McCloud

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Susan Evans McCloud (born July 28, 1945) is an American novelist, author, poet, hymnwriter, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Biography

McCloud has lived much of her adult life in Provo, Utah.[1] She is the mother of six children.[2] She is an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, has written several programs for ldsradio.org,[clarify] and other materials for the LDS Church.[citation needed] She and her family are deeply involved in their Scottish heritage.[citation needed] Her only son plays the bagpipes, and was featured in "A Celebration of Family History" held in the LDS Conference Center in April 2010.[citation needed] She was a docent at Brigham Young's Beehive House in Salt Lake City for over 20 years, and docent for the Etruscan Exhibit at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art.

McCloud was a member of Joseph A. Cannon's 1992 Utah County Steering Committee when he was seeking the Republican Nomination for Senate.[3]

In 2004, McCloud was given the Reed Smoot Citizenship Awards business women of the year award.[4]

Publications

Music

Two of McCloud's hymns appear in the LDS Church's 1985 hymnbook. One of these, "Lord I Would Follow Thee," has also been recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.[5] Lines from this hymn have been quoted in the LDS community,[6] and it has even been called "one of the best-loved songs in the LDS Church"[7] McCloud wrote her other hymn, "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days," with the goal of giving strength to a "vacillating youth."[8]

McCloud has also contributed to film music used by the seminaries of the LDS Church.[9]

Writing

McCloud has published more than 45 books.[10] Since the late 1970s she has published nearly one novel annually, many through the publishers Bookcraft or Scribe Publishing. Her novel Black Stars Over Mexico was a best seller in January 1985.[11] Brigham Young: An Inspiring Personal Biography was partly developed as a result of her 30 years as a docent at the Beehive House.[12] ].[13]

Many of her novels are historical fiction of 19th-century Latter-day Saints in far-flung places, such as England or India. Some reviewers have criticized her novels as being pro-Mormon and repetitious of previous themes, but she is known for her strong characters and the power of her descriptions. .[14] Her work has been reviewed by Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought[15] Although rejected by some critics, her work is praised by others, such as LDS commentator and Deseret News columnist Jerry Johnston.[16]

McCloud's poetry first appeared in the Ensign magazine in 1972.

McCloud has also written scripts for film and TV productions, including the script for making one of her books into a made-for-TV movie.[17] In the late 1960s Susan wrote by-line feature articles for the Dixon Evening Telegraph in Dixon, Illinois, the home town of President Ronald Reagan.

References

  1. ^ "1990 Writing and Music Contest Winners", Ensign, July 1990.
  2. ^ McCloud, Susan Evans. "In Our Lovely Deseret: Daughters and mothers encompass one eternal round," 'Deseret News', 23 April 2014. Accessed 26 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Cannon Announces Formation Of Utah County Steering Panel". Deseret News. August 18, 1992. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  4. ^ "Sen. Reed Smoot Citizen Awards". Deseret News. May 27, 2004. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  5. ^ The Official Site of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
  6. ^ For example, see quotes in Howard W. Hunter, "A More Excellent Way", Ensign, May 1992.
  7. ^ Johnston, Jerry (May 11, 2002). "Great hymns — chosen writers". Deseret News. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  8. ^ "Of All Things", New Era, November 2003.
  9. ^ "Favorite Seminary Songs" (PDF). [CD booklet]. Sandy, Utah: Sounds of Zion. Retrieved 2009-06-04. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ Mormon Literature Database - McCloud, Susan Evans
  11. ^ Past bestselling fiction titles - page 189
  12. ^ Review of Books for BYU Magazine by Richard Cracroft
  13. ^ Randy Jernigan
  14. ^ Taylor, J. Golden (1987). A Literary history of the American West. TCU Press. p. 857. ISBN 978-0-87565-021-0. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  15. ^ Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
  16. ^ Johnston, Jerry (May 23, 1993). "Pitching Fiction to the Mormon Pop Market". Deseret News.
  17. ^ Biographies: Latter-day Saint and/or Utah Film Personalities: M
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