Latter-day Hymns (Religion 390R): Course Outline

Course Objective: Students will gain a better understanding of how “the hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord” (Hymns, ix).

Lesson 1: Guidelines on Church Music

Suggested Lesson Material

• “First Presidency Preface,” Hymns, ix–x.

• “Purpose of Music in the Church,” Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 14.1.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Let us use the hymns to invite the Spirit of the Lord into our congregations, our homes, and our personal lives” (The First Presidency, Hymns, x.)

Lesson 2: Emma Smith and the History of the Latter-day Hymns

Suggested Lesson Material

• Doctrine and Covenants 25.

• Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manual, 2nd ed. (Church Educational System manual, 2003), 161–62.

• Garrett H. Garff, “The Hymnbook Turns 30,” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 74–75.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• The singing of sacred music is a prayer to God (see D&C 25:11–12).

• As we worship the Lord through sacred music, He will bless us (see D&C 25:12).

• “The … scripture references at the end of each hymn … not only establish the underlying doctrines of the hymn text but can also yield additional gospel insights” (Garrett H. Garff, “The Hymnbook Turns 30,” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 75).

Lesson 3: Hymns by Latter-day Saint Women

Suggested Lesson Material

• Emma Lou Thayne, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Hymns, no. 129.

• Penelope Moody Allen, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Hymns, no. 143.

• Susan Evans McCloud, “Lord, I Would Follow Thee,” Hymns, no. 220.

• C. Marianne Johnson Fisher, “As I Search the Holy Scriptures,” Hymns, no. 277.

• Karen Lynn Davidson, “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good,” Hymns, no. 293.

• Emily H. Woodmansee, “As Sisters in Zion,” Hymns, no. 309.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “In order to do our part as women under the Lord’s plan, we must stand strong and immovable in faith, strong and immovable in family, and strong and immovable in relief” (Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 109).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 4: Hymns of the Restoration by William W. Phelps

Suggested Lesson Material

• “The Spirit of God,” Hymns, no. 2.

• “Now Let Us Rejoice,” Hymns, no. 3.

• “Redeemer of Israel,” Hymns, no. 6.

• “Now We’ll Sing with One Accord,” Hymns, no. 25.

• “Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27.

• “Come, All Ye Saints of Zion,” Hymns, no. 38.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 5: Additional Hymns by William W. Phelps—Praise and Thanksgiving

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth,” Hymns, no. 65.

• “Gently Raise the Sacred Strain,” Hymns, no. 146.

• “Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn,” Hymns, no. 167.

• “O God, the Eternal Father,” Hymns, no. 175.

• “If You Could Hie to Kolob,” Hymns, no. 284.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 6: Hymns of the Restoration by Parley P. Pratt

Suggested Lesson Material

• “The Morning Breaks,” Hymns, no. 1.

• “Truth Eternal,” Hymns, no. 4.

• “An Angel from on High,” Hymns, nos. 13, 328.

• “Come, O Thou King of Kings,” Hymns, nos. 59, 332.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 7: Sacrament Hymns by Parley P. Pratt

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Father in Heaven, We Do Believe,” Hymns, no. 180.

• “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth,” Hymns, no. 196.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 17).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 8: Sacrament Hymns by Latter-day Saint Women

Suggested Lesson Material

• Annie Pinnock Malin, “God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray,” Hymns, no. 170.

• Zara Sabin, “With Humble Heart,” Hymns, no. 171.

• Mabel Jones Gabbott, “In Humility, Our Savior,” Hymns, no. 172.

• Vilate Raile, “Upon the Cross of Calvary,” Hymns, no. 184.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 9: Additional Sacrament Hymns

Suggested Lesson Material

• Lee Tom Perry, “As Now We Take the Sacrament,” Hymns, no. 169.

• John Nicholson, “While of These Emblems We Partake,” Hymns, no. 173.

• Edward P. Kimball, “God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son,” Hymns, no. 187.

• Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 10: Hymns of Worship by Eliza R. Snow

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Behold the Great Redeemer Die,” Hymns, no. 191.

• “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” Hymns, no. 195.

• “O My Father,” Hymns, no. 292.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The ‘key of knowledge’ [Eliza R. Snow] wrote about is the fulness of the gospel, and the song [“O My Father”] particularly refers to Joseph Smith’s teaching about our relationship to God—that He is literally the Father of our spirits and that we are literally His children” (David A. Edwards, “Joseph Smith’s Key of Knowledge,” New Era, Nov. 2012, 33).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 11: Hymns of Comfort and Supplication by Eliza R. Snow

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!” Hymns, no. 17.

• “Great Is the Lord,” Hymns, no. 77.

• “Though Deepening Trials,” Hymns, no. 122.

• “Again We Meet around the Board,” Hymns, no. 186.

• “The Time Is Far Spent,” Hymns, no. 266.

• “Truth Reflects upon Our Senses,” Hymns, no. 273.

• “In Our Lovely Deseret,” Hymns, no. 307.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Through your personal righteousness the Spirit of God will guide you to learn to control yourself, to enhance your attitude, to increase your spiritual altitude, and to find and trust the true source of divine power” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On the Wings of Eagles,” Ensign, July 2006, 15).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 12: “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” by William Clayton

Suggested Lesson Material

• Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manual, 313.

• “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” Hymns, no. 30.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in this hymn.

Lesson 13: Messages of Faith

Suggested Lesson Material

• Frederick W. Faber, “Faith of our Fathers,” Hymns, no. 84.

• Naomi W. Randall, “When Faith Endures,” Hymns, no. 128.

• Evan Stephens, “True to the Faith,” Hymns, no. 254.

• Ruth M. Gardner, “Go Forth with Faith,” Hymns, no. 263.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 14: Tributes to the Prophet

Suggested Lesson Material

• Doctrine and Covenants 135.

• William Fowler, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” Hymns, no. 19.

• Joseph S. Murdock, “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns, no. 21.

• George Manwaring, “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Hymns, no. 26.

• William W. Phelps, “Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27.

• James Montgomery, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” Hymns, no. 29.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it” (D&C 135:3).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 15: Hymns for the Savior

Suggested Lesson Material

• H. R. Palmer, “Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer,” Hymns, no. 103.

• Samuel Medley, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136.

• Cecil Frances Alexander, “He Is Risen!” Hymns, no. 199.

• Charles Wesley, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” Hymns, no. 200.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Because our Savior died at Calvary, death has no hold upon any one of us” (Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 24).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 16: Hymns by Presidents of the Church

Suggested Lesson Material

• Joseph Fielding Smith, “Does the Journey Seem Long?” Hymns, no. 127.

• Gordon B. Hinckley, “My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 135.

• John Taylor, “Go, Ye Messengers of Glory,” Hymns, no. 262.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 17: Hymns by Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Suggested Lesson Material

• Charles W. Penrose, “O Ye Mountains High,” Hymns, no. 34.

• Orson Whitney, “The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close,” Hymns, no. 37.

• John A. Widtsoe, “Lead Me into Life Eternal,” Hymns, no. 45.

• Charles W. Penrose, “God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee,” Hymns, no. 76.

• Orson F. Whitney, “Savior, Redeemer of My Soul,” Hymns, no. 112.

• John A. Widtsoe, “How Long, O Lord Most Holy and True,” Hymns, no. 126.

• Bruce R. McConkie, “I Believe in Christ,” Hymns, no. 134.

• Charles W. Penrose, “Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion,” Hymns, no. 248.

• Charles W. Penrose, “School Thy Feelings,” Hymns, no. 336.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 18: Hymns by Other General Authorities

Suggested Lesson Material

• Edward Partridge, “Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise,” Hymns, no. 41.

• Loren C. Dunn, “Testimony,” Hymns, no. 137.

• Marion D. Hanks, “That Easter Morn,” Hymns, no. 198.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Hymns play an essential role in spirituality, revelation, and conversion” (Jay E. Jensen, “The Nourishing Power of Hymns,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 11).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 19: Music by Ebenezer Beesley

Suggested Lesson Material

• “High on the Mountain Top,” Hymns, nos. 5, 333.

• “God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee,” Hymns, no. 76.

• “Sing We Now at Parting,” Hymns, no. 156.

• “’Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love,” Hymns, no. 177.

• “Reverently and Meekly Now,” Hymns, no. 185.

• “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” Hymns, no. 232.

• “Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning,” Hymns, no. 280.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 20: Hymns by Philip Paul Bliss––the Singing Evangelist

Suggested Lesson Material

• “More Holiness Give Me,” Hymns, no. 131.

• “Should You Feel Inclined to Censure,” Hymns, no. 235.

• “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy,” Hymns, no. 335.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 21: Children’s Songs by Latter-day Saint Women

Suggested Lesson Material

• Ruth M. Gardner, “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Hymns, no. 300.

• Naomi W. Randall, “I Am a Child of God,” Hymns, no. 301.

• Barbara A. McConochie, “Keep the Commandments,” Hymns, no. 303.

• Clara W. McMaster, “Teach Me to Walk in the Light,” Hymns, no. 304.

• Luacine Clark Fox, “Love One Another,” Hymns, no. 308.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The words to Primary songs never leave us—they are embedded in our hearts” (Rosemary M. Wixom, “The Influence of Music,” New Era, Sept. 2013, 34).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 22: Well-Known Hymns by Non-LDS Authors—Restoration, Praise, and Thanksgiving

Suggested Lesson Material

• George Gill, “Beautiful Zion, Built Above,” Hymns, no. 44.

• Julia Ward Howe, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Hymns, no. 60.

• St. Francis of Assisi, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Hymns, no. 62.

• James Allen, “Glory to God on High,” Hymns, no. 67.

• Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” Hymns, no. 68.

• Attributed to Robert Keen, “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85.

• Stuart K. Hine, “How Great Thou Art,” Hymns, no. 86.

• James Nicholson, “The Lord Is My Light,” Hymns, no. 89.

• Henry Alford, “Come, Ye Thankful People,” Hymns, no. 94.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 75).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 23: Well-Known Hymns by Non-LDS Authors—Prayer and Supplication

Suggested Lesson Material

• John Henry Newman, “Lead, Kindly Light,” Hymns, no. 97.

• Annie S. Hawks, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” Hymns, no. 98.

• Sarah F. Adams, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” Hymns, no. 100.

• Edward Hopper, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me,” Hymns, no. 104.

• Mary Ann Baker, “Master, the Tempest Is Raging,” Hymns, no. 105.

• James Montgomery, “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” Hymns, no. 108.

• Katharina von Schlegel, “Be Still, My Soul,” Hymns, no. 124.

• Mary A. Pepper Kidder, “Did You Think to Pray?” Hymns, no. 140.

• Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” Hymns, no. 141.

• Jeremiah E. Rankin, “God Be with You Till We Meet Again,” Hymns, no. 152.

• M. Lowrie Hofford, “Abide with Me; ’Tis Eventide,” Hymns, no. 165.

• Henry F. Lyte, “Abide with Me!” Hymns, no. 166.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 24: Well-Known Hymns by Non-LDS Authors—Special Topics

Suggested Lesson Material

• Grace Noll Crowell, “Because I Have Been Given Much,” Hymns, no. 219.

• Will L. Thompson, “Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223.

• Johnson Oatman Jr., “Count Your Blessings,” Hymns, no. 241.

• Thomas Ken, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow,” Hymns, no. 242.

• Sabine Baring-Gould, “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” Hymns, no. 246.

• Grace Gordon, “Called to Serve,” Hymns, no. 249.

• Fanny J. Crosby, “Behold! A Royal Army,” Hymns, no. 251.

• Mary Brown, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Hymns, no. 270.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 25: Patriotic Hymns

Suggested Lesson Material

• Katharine Lee Bates, “America the Beautiful,” Hymns, no. 338.

• Samuel F. Smith, “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” Hymns, no. 339.

• Francis Scott Key, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Hymns, no. 340.

• Anonymous, “God Save the King,” Hymns, no. 341.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (Articles of Faith 1:12).

Lesson 26: Hymns by Charles Wesley

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” Hymns, no. 66.

• “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” Hymns, no. 102.

• “Ye Simple Souls Who Stray,” Hymns, no. 118.

• “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” Hymns, no. 200.

• “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Hymns, no. 209.

• “Come, Let Us Anew,” Hymns, no. 217.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 27: Hymns by Isaac Watts

Suggested Lesson Material

• “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Hymns, no. 31.

• “Praise Ye the Lord,” Hymns, no. 74.

• “With All the Power of Heart and Tongue,” Hymns, no. 79.

• “Great God, Attend While Zion Sings,” Hymns, no. 88.

• “From All That Dwell below the Skies,” Hymns, no. 90.

• “Come, We That Love the Lord,” Hymns, no. 119.

• “Sweet Is the Work,” Hymns, nos. 147, 317.

• “He Died! The Great Redeemer Died,” Hymns, no. 192.

• “Joy to the World,” Hymns, no. 201.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• Invite students to identify gospel truths taught in these hymns.

Lesson 28: Music in Sacrament Meeting

Suggested Lesson Material

• Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,” Ensign or Liahona, Aug. 2004, 25–28.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The hymns of the Church are the basic music for worship services and the standard for congregational singing” (Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,” Ensign or Liahona, Aug. 2004, 27).

• Invite students to identify doctrine and principles from President Nelson’s talk.