Hymns in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[1] Initially, it seems that this revelation was interpreted to mean that Emma Smith was commanded to select which hymns were appropriate for use in the worship services of Latter Day Saints and not necessarily to compile a hymnbook.
On September 14, 1835, at a meeting of the high council and the First Presidency at Kirtland, Emma Smith was again counseled to begin compiling a hymnbook in a joint effort with W. W. Phelps: It was further decided that Sister Emma Smith proceed to make a selection of Sacred Hymns, according to the revelation; and that President W.W. Phelps be appointed to revise and arrange them for printing.
An indication of the poverty of the church members in Kirtland at that time is that the hymnal was published in "sexadecimal" form, the least expensive publishing format for books in those days: sixteen pages were printed on both sides of a single sheet, which was then folded, cut, and sewn into the leather binding.
Many of the hymns which had previously been published in The Evening and the Morning Star were inserted into the 1835 hymnal as a block, almost exactly in the same order as their earlier publication.
Eleven of the hymns were also published in The Messenger and Advocate between December 1834 and January 1836: Although the book was printed in 1836, it is still referred to as the "1835 hymnal" because of the publication date on the title page.
Examples include "Amazing Grace", "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing", and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross".
Over the years, publication of this hymnal moved from Manchester to Liverpool, and finally to Salt Lake City.
This unofficial hymnbook is unique in early LDS history, because it was the first Latter-day Saint hymnal to include music with the words.
This collection included music for LDS hymns such as "O My Father", "Praise to the Man" and "An Angel from on High", complete with piano accompaniment.
Tullidge felt that many of the pairings of tune with hymns used in LDS meetings were poorly made and that the "freshness and vigor" of their spirit demanded better music for use in "praise for full grateful hearts.
Some tunes were also adopted from non-LDS sources, such as classical composers like Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Rossini.
The tenor parts were written on a separate staff above the soprano and alto lines, making accompaniment difficult.
Ninety-five of them are still in use in the 1985 LDS hymnal, including these standards: About half of the new hymn tunes that were composed for the Psalmody were written by members of the Church Music Committee, which included Evan Stephens, George Careless, Ebenezer Beesley, Joseph J. Daynes, and Thomas C. Griggs.
Many of their Psalmody hymn tunes have a pronounced "instrumental" feel, as if they were more suited for organ performance than choir or congregational singing.
In 1908, nine LDS Church mission presidents collaborated to produce a more simple hymnal with music and text.
The intent of the mission presidents was to provide unity, prevent confusion and reduce the cost of stocking multiple hymnbooks by compiling favorite songs and hymns in one book.
It was published in Chicago by the Northern States Mission and contained 246 gospel hymns such as "Do What Is Right," and "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel."
[9] These songbooks were extremely popular and introduced such favorites as "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning", "Improve the Shining Moments", and "Choose the Right".
[11] They were also influenced by the research and writings of Sterling Wheelwright, who felt that LDS hymnals were losing their relevance through focusing on upbeat but trivial hymns rather than intimate and meditative ones.
Some new hymns were placed in this book, which had not been published by the worldwide church up until this time, such as "Called to Serve" and "How Great Thou Art," as well as familiar songs that have been used in the Primary such as "I Am a Child of God," "Teach Me To Walk In The Light," and "Families Can Be Together Forever."
[19] For example, in the Spanish translation, three hymns originally written by Latter-day Saints in Spanish are included ( “¿Por qué somos?” by Edmund W. Richardson, “Despedida” or “Placentero nos es trabajar” by Andrés C. González, and “La voz, ya, del eterno” or “¡La Proclamación!” by José V. Estrada G.), along with others taken from earlier hymnals or other sources.
The new collection of music will be released by the end of 2026 in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, and is planned to be published in at least 50 total languages by sometime in 2030.
These are: Even among these, "Joy to the World" has been included in Latter-day Saint hymnbooks with at least two different tunes over the years.
Others draw their subject matter from the church's history, including themes such as the restoration and pioneer experiences.
Some of the unique LDS hymns such as "Come, Come, Ye Saints" are gaining popularity in the repertoires of other Christian choirs.
Some other songs which are occasionally sung by choirs, (though usually not by the whole congregation in a meeting) include "O Divine Redeemer" and the Christmas carol "O Holy Night".
