Joseph L. Townsend (August 9, 1849 – April 1, 1942) was a writer of many Latter-day Saint hymns including "Choose the Right" and "Oh, What Songs of the Heart".

Townsend later served as a missionary for the church in the Southern States Mission from 1881 to 1882.

[2][3] Townsend ran a drugstore in Payson, Utah, for 15 years.

After that, he taught at Salt Lake City High School.

His poetry included many published works that were not made hymns.