Roy Cheville
Encyclopedia
Roy A. Cheville was a religious leader, theologian and educator in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Community of Christ
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...

, as it is known today. Cheville graduated from Graceland University
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...

 in 1921 with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in liberal arts and religious education.http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Roy_Cheville In 1926, he authored Graceland's Alma Mater Hymn while on the faculty. He obtained his Ph. B. in 1922, an A.M in Divinity in 1923, a D.B. in Practical Theology in 1925, and later a Ph. D. in Religion in 1942, all from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...

. He was the first member of his denomination to complete a doctoral level religious education.

Cheville was regarded as an influential professor of Religion at Graceland from 1923 to 1960 and also served as the campus pastor. Cheville taught many introductory religion courses from his own text, “Growing Up In Religion” stressing that a view of God restricted to scriptural and doctrinal traditions was too small and confining.

Cheville was called to the office of Presiding Patriarch in the RLDS Church in 1958 by W. Wallace Smith
W. Wallace Smith
William Wallace Smith was a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , from October 6, 1958 to April 5, 1978, when he retired to "emeritus" status....

 and was the first person to serve in that office who was not a direct descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr. In that role, he presided over the Order of Evangelists, which had 89 members at that time. He authored more than 345 articles, 20 pamphlets and 25 books on Christian family life, spirituality, church history, theology, scriptures, and other religious topics. He was an authority on the subject of religious socialization, but his position at Graceland University and later as Presiding Patriarch provided him with a platform from which he could be heard on a wide variety of subjects. His 1962 text “Did the Light Go Out?” represented a turn away from the traditional RLDS viewpoint regarding the great apostasy
Great Apostasy
The Great Apostasy is a term used by some religious groups to describe a general fallen state of traditional Christianity, especially the Papacy, because it allowed the traditional Roman mysteries and deities of solar monism such as Mithras and Sol Invictus and idol worship back into the church,...

. He wrote numerous hymn texts published in Hymns of the Saints
Hymns of the Saints
Hymns of the Saints, published in Independence, Missouri by Herald House in 1981, is the official English language hymnal of the Community of Christ...

 and prior hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...

s, including “Afar in Old Judea” and had a reputation as a vigorous song leader and a self-styled humorist. The Cheville Chapel
Cheville Chapel
Cheville Chapel at Graceland University was dedicated in 1978 in honor of Roy Cheville, theologian, educator and former Presiding Patriarch of the Community of Christ. The structure was built for $325,000 and was funded by a restricted private bequest...

 at Graceland University is named in his honor.

Cheville House, a residence hall at Graceland University
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...

 is currently located on the second floor of Graybill Hall.

Hymns by Roy Cheville

  • 1921: "Song of Entreaty"
  • 1928: "O Come Ye Sons of Graceland All" (Alma Mater Hymn)
  • 1930: "Dear Old Nauvoo"
  • 1932: "A Youth's Prayer of Thanksgiving"
  • 1933: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
  • 1933: "Speak of the Best"
  • 1933: "God Send us Men"
  • 1939: "Are Ye Able"
  • 1939: "O Lord of Life, Of Light, Of Inspiration"
  • 1939: "Our Homes We Dedicate to Thee"
  • 1941: "The Church of Christ is Calling"
  • 1941: "Rise O Youth"
  • 1941: "Forward"
  • 1941: "Come Up Higher"
  • 1941: "Open My Eyes"
  • 1941: "Prayer of Dedication"
  • 1944: "Forward Thro' the Ages"
  • 1944: "We Read Thy Word of Promise"
  • 1944: "For All the Saints"
  • 1950: "O Jesus the Giver" 3rd stanza
  • 1950: "Hast thou Heard It"
  • 1950: "All Things Are Thine"
  • 1950: "Master Speak! Thy Servant Heareth"
  • 1950: "Heaven Can Be Where'er the Lord Lifts Us From Lowly Sphere"
  • 1950: "Commitment Hymn"
  • 1950: "We Honor Those, Our Father, Whose Service Honored Thee"
  • 1950: "Glory to the Heroes" adapted from W.G. Tarrant
  • 1950: "Lo, The Time is Now Fulfilled"
  • 1950: "Walk Thou With Me, O Lord of Love"
  • 1950: "Softly the Shadows Fall" adapted from Adelaide Proctor
  • 1950: "Truth Has No Single Voice"
  • 1950: "Sacred Books, The Church's Treasure"
  • 1950: "Thou Who Through All The Ages Spoke"
  • 1950: "O Send Thy Spirit Lord"
  • 1953: "Conviction"
  • 1955: "The Christ of Every Age"
  • 1956: "Afar In Old Judea"
  • 1956: "My Soul Praise The Lord"
  • 1956: "O Lord, Thy People Gathered Here"
  • 1956: "O Master to All Children Near"
  • 1956: "Friend of the Home"
  • 1956: "For Bread Before Us Broken"
  • 1956: "Forth In Thy Name"
  • 1956: "O Sometimes the Shadows"
  • 1956: "Send Forth Thy Light O Zion"
  • 1956: "Thou Hast Been Our Guide"
  • 1959: "Speak Thou Today, O Lord"
  • 1968: "Hymn of Zion Builders"
  • 1979: "Let Us Sing A Worldwide Anthem"
  • 1995: "Here At This Altar"
  • 1995: "What A Friend We Have in Jesus, He is Steadfast"
  • 1995: "Home of the Open Heart"
  • 1995: "This Is My Home"

  • Books by Roy Cheville

    • 1939: The Bible in Everyday Living. Independence, Missouri
      Independence, Missouri
      Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...

      : Herald House
      Herald House
      Herald House or Herald Publishing House is the publishing division of the Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri. It publishes books, periodicals and other materials at the direction of the First Presidency. Its history dates back to the publication of a church periodical called the True...

    • 1939: History and Significance of the Family in the Life of the Church. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1941: The Branch of Today and Tomorrow. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1941: Official Zion's League Handbook. The Branch of Today and Tomorrow, Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1942: The Role of Religious Education in the Accommodation of a Sect. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1946: Through The West Door, the Story of the First Half Century of Graceland College. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1950: The Hymnal for Youth. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1951: Growing up in religion. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1954: When they seek counsel: A study guide for priesthood who minister to youth when they inquire about marriage. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1955: They Sang of the Restoration. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1955: The Latter Day Saints and Family Life. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
    • 1956: By What Authority?. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1958: Ten Considerations for Family Living. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1959: The Field of Theology. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1960: Meet Them in the Scriptures. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1962: Did the Light Go Out?. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1962: Spirituality in the Space Age. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1964: Scriptures from Ancient America. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1968: When Teenagers Talk Theology. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1970: They Made a Difference. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1971: The Book of Mormon Speaks for Itself. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1972: Expectations for Endowed Living: A consideration of the hopes of our people. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1975: Spiritual Resources are Available Today. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1977: Joseph and Emma Companions. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1978: Humor in Gospel Living. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
  • 1983: My Endowing Experiences in the Kirtland Temple. Independence, Missouri: Herald House
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