Janice Kapp Perry

Janice Kapp Perry is a renowned composer of religious music, whose songs are often sung in Mormon worship.

Although she was born into a musical family, she did not begin composing until she was nearly 40 years old. Sports were more important to her. She competed on many city league softball teams and regularly played volleyball and racquetball. At age 38, she broke her ankle playing basketball. At the same time, their television broke. She was asked to write original music for her ward’s roadshow. Since convalescing with the television was no longer an option, she agreed to the assignment. Perry began entering and winning Church song-writing contests. She also began writing songs upon request. Now many of her compositions are favorites in Mormon families. A few are the children’s songs,  “Love Is Spoken Here,” “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus,” and“I Love to See the Temple”.

Perry sang for 5 years with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and sang some of her own music.

She had a remarkable experience when her niece, who was dying of cancer, asked her to set a poem written by Prophet and President Gordon B. Hinckley to music. She received his permission to write music to “What Is This Thing That Men Call Death?” but did not receive a reply to her request to publish it. When he passed away she thought the song would never be published. He had signed the consent, however, two days before he died. She received his letter the day after his death, and the next day, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir asked for her permission to sing the song at his memorial service.

Perry and her husband are the parents of five children and were foster parents to many young adults. They live in Provo, Utah.

Official Website

Hymns of Janice Kapp Perry on Mormon Channel

Follow Janice Kapp Perry

Recent Posts