History of Hymns

History of Hymns investigates the inception and evolution of the hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The episodes include the history and progression of both the music and the text and feature interesting stories surrounding the creators and others involved in the development of a hymn. Also included are stories surrounding the performance or inclusion of the hymn in a variety of settings.

Sep 15, 2023

"All Creatures of Our God and King"

Episode 02: The history behind “All Creatures of Our God and King”—St. Francis of Assisi, the gentle preacher who loved the birds and animals of the forest and every manifestation of the natural world, could have left no more fitting legacy than this great hymn to nature. It is a joyous inventory of the blessings heaped upon us by a loving Creator, as each of His creations is urged to join in a chorus of praise. This remarkable hymn was put to the musical arrangement done by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.
Pond 1.5 hours from Calgary

Sep 15, 2023

"How Great Thou Art"

Episode 05: The history behind “How Great Thou Art”—Stuart K. Hine lived a life dedicated to God during a time when opposition was strong against those who proclaimed Christ. His wife and he first heard this Swedish folk melody while ministering to the people of Ukraine. However, the inspiration to write original English lyrics did not come to them until they were in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Russia. This program highlights the history behind each verse of this beloved hymn and also features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: Lex de Azevedo, London Philharmonic Recording Series, Instrumental Version (Album: A Mighty Fortress); Michael Dowdle (Album: Beloved Hymns of Christ; Hymns of Praise, Songs of Joy); Larry Green (Album: Kingsfold); the BYU Singers (Album: We Sing of Christ); Jenny Oaks Baker (Album: On Wings of Song); the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Album: Then Sings My Soul).
Reflection of Alaskan mountains in a lake.

Sep 15, 2023

Hymns of Joseph Daynes

Joseph J. Daynes was the first Tabernacle organist (from 1867 to 1900). Joseph learned to play the piano nearly as soon as he learned to walk. By the time he was four he was able to play tunes that no teacher had taught him. At six his progress had become nearly phenomenal, and the family story maintains that the child was presented in an organ recital before the Queen of England. Learn his story in this episode of History of the Hymns.
Portrait of Joseph Daynes and the sheet music to "Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice."

Sep 16, 2023

Hymns of Parley P. Pratt

Parley Parker Pratt was one of the greatest missionaries the Church has ever known, and one of the mightiest defenders of the truth. As the morning of revelation broke over his own head, Parley Pratt penned a testimony in his journal that reveals the depth of his poetic nature and demonstrates the gift he had been given that would serve to express and illuminate the sacred, eternal truths of the Restoration in song.
Parley Parker Pratt (1807-18).

Sep 16, 2023

"High on the Mountain Top"

Joel H. Johnson sought the truth regarding God and whether Jesus was the Christ. Eventually finding his way into the Church later in his life, he received the inspiration to write “High on the Mountain Top” from the book of Isaiah. Johnson wrote this hymn in 1853.
Young People, Colonia Juarez

For use in the Mormon Channel program "History of Hymns."  Episode 36: High on the Mountain Top.

Sep 16, 2023

Hymns of William W. Phelps

William Wines Phelps has 26 hymns to his credit, including "Praise to the Man" and "The Spirit of God." He served as the personal scribe to Joseph Smith and worked with Emma Smith in revising, organizing, and publishing the first hymnal in 1836.
Phelps, William Wines (1792-1872).

Dec 14, 2022

Hymns of Evan Stephens

Evan Stephens wrote melodies and lyrics about love for his home in Utah, his unwavering faith, and his hope for the future. He served as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 26 years and penned “Utah, We Love Thee,” the official state song since 1937.
View of Evan Stephens conducting the choir in the Salt Lake Tabernacle

For use in the Mormon Channel program "History of Hymns."  Episode 34: Hymns of Evan Stephens

Sep 16, 2023

Hymns of George Careless

George Careless was head composer of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir under appointment from Brigham Young. Some of his composed works include “Though Deepening Trials,” “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire,” and “The Morning Breaks.”
Oil portrait of George Careless.  Dark background. Solemn expression of man with mustache and hair parted in the middle.  Dressed in a brown suit, white shirt and white bow tie.  Subject is seated on a chair.

Sep 16, 2023

Hymns of Eliza R. Snow

Eliza R. Snow, also known as “Zion’s Poetess,” has several poems included in the Latter-day Saint hymnal, such as “O My Father” and “Though Deepening Trials.” Her poetry uplifted her and also helped other struggling Saints to continue on and spread the work of God.
One oil painting portrait of Eliza R. Snow.  Black dress, white collar with gold brooch and gold earrings.  Gold chain on gold watch in pocket.  Sittin gby desk writing with a quill pen.

Sep 15, 2023

If You Could Hie To Kolob

After William Wines Phelps personally aided the Prophet Joseph Smith in the translation of the book of Abraham, he took one of the central themes of “Kolob,” a star nearest unto the throne of God, which also symbolized “first creation,” and wrote the now-popular hymn “If You Could Hie to Kolob.”
IMG_4885.jpg

Sep 16, 2023

Hymns of Ebenezer Beesley

Ebenezer Beesley joined the Salt Lake Theater Orchestra as a violinist in 1863, helped publish the first Church hymnbook to include music with lyrics, and became the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 1880. His hymns include “High on the Mountain Top” and “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words.”
View of choir members on porch and sidewalk in front of John Sharp's house at 409 First Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they had come to serenade Bishop Sharp and his family on New Year's Day

Oct 29, 2023

Hymns of Alexander Schreiner

Alexander Schreiner, who helped oversee the reconstruction of the Tabernacle organ in the late 1940s, was highly respected as an organist by several religious groups. His hymns reflected his deep faith in Christ in melodies such as “In Memory of the Crucified” and “Truth Eternal.”
The Salt Lake Tabernacle organ.

Dec 14, 2022

Oh My Father

“O My Father,” written by Eliza R. Snow, is a profound hymn that Wilford Woodruff later called a revelation. The hopeful and piercing lyrics speak directly of our premortal lives in the divine court of our heavenly parents.
Head and shoulders portrait of Eliza R. Snow wearing a black dress and hat.

Sep 16, 2023

Love at Home

John Hugh McNaughton wrote the hymn “Love at Home” to reflect not only his deep love for his Scottish roots and upbringing in Caledonia, New York, but also for his parents, who instilled in him strong values. The inspiring words of this poignant hymn show that even in an increasingly hostile and belligerent world, the home can succeed beautifully.
A Parent's Love Is...

Sep 16, 2023

I Am a Child of God

Naomi Randall wrote this simple, yet powerful, hymn that was described as a song that summarized "the whole gospel plan in a few words." Musical renditions for this program have been provided by Michael Dowdell, the Utah Chamber Artists, Lex De Azevedo, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Children - Young Girl in Hollyhock Flowers

Sep 16, 2023

"Adam-ondi-Ahman"

In this episode we learn the story behind the popular hymn Adam-ondi-Ahman. The text was written by William Wine Phelps and was also included in the first LDS Hymnbook in 1835. The tune name for Adam-ondi-Ahman is Prospect of Heaven,' an anonymous melody taken from a popular Christian songbook Southern harmony, published in 1835. This song was sung at the dedication of the Kirtland temple. It is a song of revelation, and of the hope of revelation.
Trees at Adam ondi Ahman

Sep 16, 2023

"Lord, I Would Follow Thee"

Episode 23: The history behind “Lord, I Would Follow Thee”: "What emerged was a twelve-measure hymn unlike any other hymn in form or substance. The singer or listener will notice that the melody of the first two measures is simple reversed in order to create the melody for measures nine and ten, the restatement of the opening idea. This enables an expression of desire in the first instance, to become a commitment as it is repeated. The harmony supports the melody in a simple and uncluttered manner. Refinement of the music was accomplished a couple of days later and submitted before the deadline. The only question remaining was 'Who wrote that inspirational lyric?' When the answer finally came, I was delighted, but not surprised. Susan’s lyrics had been similarly inspirational for other projects we had shared."
Christus statue inside the St. George utah Temple Visitors' Center.

Dec 14, 2022

"The Spirit of God"

Episode 22: The history behind “The Spirit of God”: This hymn goes back to the early foundations of the Church and is richly entwined with the history of the Restoration. William W. Phelps wrote “The Spirit of God.” He was born in 1792, and just three days after the organization of the Church, he purchased a copy of the Book of Mormon from Parley P. Pratt. He was later baptized, ordained to the high priesthood by the Prophet Joseph, and put his exceptional gifts to use for the sake of the kingdom of God.
Printing tools on paper

Sep 16, 2023

"Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide"

Episode 21: The history behind “Abide with Me; ‘Tis Eventide”: Martin Lowrie Hofford wrote the lyrics for this much-loved hymn. He was born January 27, 1825, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, a forested hill crown 10 miles west of the New Jersey state line and the scene of many historic colonial and Revolutionary War events. Even as a young man Martin Hofford was drawn to theology—which he studied at Princeton seminary. Harrison Millard, writer of the music of the hymn, began singing in a Boston choir at the young age of eight, and at ten was mature enough in voice and manner to perform in the chorus of the Handel and Haydn society, where he sang as an alto. He spent three years, 1851-1854, in Europe, studying under some of the great masters in Italy. Both the words and the music were written in the years after the U.S. Civil War.
Civil War Statue

Sep 16, 2023

"Our Savior's Love"

Episode 20: The history behind “Our Savior’s Love”: Edward LeRoy Hart was a professor of English at Brigham Young University for 30 years and held a Fulbright Fellowship for study in Pakistan. Edward stated that the hymn “Our Savior’s Love” grew out of a figure of speech. “The simile,” he said, “goes back to seeing people in a fabric or clothing store take material outside and into the sunlight to test its color in the only true or ‘perfect’ source of light. In the same way, the only true test of love is the source, our Savior’s love.” In 1977 the Church Music Committee asked composer Crawford Gates to create a setting for Brother Hart’s text. Crawford says of the experience, “Though I am aware that all creativity comes from God, perhaps three times in my career I have been very aware of melodic ideas coming as a direct gift from Him. This was one of those times.” This program includes renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors, Todd McCabe and April Moriarty, Michael Dowdle, the Gibbons Family, Kay Hicks Ward and Meredith Campbell, Clayne Robison, Doug Bush, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Bottom of upper half of Christus statue

Sep 15, 2023

"More Holiness Give Me"

Episode 19: The history behind “More Holiness Give Me”: Philip Paul Bliss was born in 1838 and grew up in rural Pennsylvania and Ohio. When he was 10 years old and selling vegetables to help support the family, Philip first heard a piano and was unable to resist the temptation that lured him through an open door and into the parlor. Barefoot and ragged, he stood spellbound until the music ceased. Philip, in ecstacy, cried out, “O lady, play some more.” The young lady, surprised at the unexpected intrusion by the ragged stranger, rudely ordered him out of the house, but he left with sweet memories of the music. By the 1870s Bliss began to devote a great deal of energy to the composition of sacred music. In 1873 he wrote “More Holiness Give Me,” the hymn rendered by the following artists in this episode: The Brigham Young Unversity Singers, Ron Staheli, Lex de Azevedo, Kenneth Cope, Michael Dowdle, and the Brigham Young University Men’s Chorus.
The Susquehanna River in Harmony, Pennsylvania and surrounding landscape of fields and groves of trees. * [historical notes]: * 1) Joseph Smith, Jr. and his wife Emma Hale Smith lived in a log cabin in Harmony, Pennsylvania while Emma served as scribe for Joseph during the translation of part of the Book of Mormon. * 2) On May 15, 1829, Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery went into the woods near the Susquehanna River and prayed to know more about baptism and the remission of sins. John the Baptist appeared to them and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon them. They then baptized each other.

Sep 16, 2023

"Where Can I Turn for Peace?"

Episode 18: The history behind “Where Can I Turn for Peace?”: In 1971 Joleen G. Meredith and Emma Lou Thayne were asked to write a musical number for the Laurel workshop at June Conference. Emma Lou telephoned Joleen to discuss the assignment. Joleen recalls: “I happened to be in the music room of our home at the time. Sister Thayne says she had been thinking of a message of hope and peace as the hymn’s theme. As she began to relate some of the beginning lyrics, I stepped to the piano and said, ‘Sounds good—the music should go something like this…’ She said ’good,’ and gave me another line. I responded with additional measures of music. Before the conversation ended, we had mostly ‘roughed in’ the basic hymn. We have lovingly spoken of this number as the ‘telephone hymn’ throughout the years.” This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Greg Hansen, Michael Dowdle, Brigham Young University Women’s Chorus, Mark Small, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Gibbons Family, Voice Male, and the Utah Chamber Artists.
The 2001 official portrait of the Tabernacle Choir. the conductor, organist and choir members are posing in front of the organ pipes of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
photoshop eps

Sep 16, 2023

"Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee"

Episode 17: The history behind “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”: Born in A.D. 1090, Bernard of Fontaine, who originally wrote the words of this hymn in Latin, had all the advantages of high birth and became a boy of graceful manners and elegance of expression. His mother taught him to believe in Christ, and he lived as an ascetic, with great zeal for Christ. Bernard later became known as Bernard of Clairvaux, a name taken from the first monastery he founded. Martin Luther, 400 years later, called him “the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.” “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” was translated from Latin to English by Edward Caswall. John Bacchus Dykes composed the tune. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Greg Hansen, Michael Dowdle, Lex de Azevedo, Meredith Campbell, Kay Hicks Ward, Kenneth Cope, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Story behind Jesus The Very Thought of Thee

Sep 15, 2023

"Come, Come, Ye Saints"

Episode 16: The history behind "Come, Come, Ye Saints”: William Clayton—an American pioneer, journalist, scribe, inventor, lyricist, and musician—was born in 1814 in Penwortham, in northwestern England. At age 22 he joined the Church, as did his wife. In early April 1846, Brother Clayton was a member of the first company of Mormon pioneers to face the westward trek to Utah. During the journey he composed new text to the music of a recently-popularized song, “All Is Well.” The new hymn, known today as “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” quickly became a favorite among the Saints crossing the plains. This program includes contemporary renditions of “Come, Come, Ye Saints” by the following artists: Lex de Azevedo, Merrill Jensen, Michael Dowdle, Jenny Richards, Jenny Oaks Baker, Octapella, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Seated portrait-half figure; lots of empty space above head; balding-grey short beard.