Marylou Cunningham Leavitt discusses the creation of Hymn number 22, "We Listen to a Prophet's Voice." Marylou shares her conversion story, how the hymn came about, and how it almost did not make it into the hymnbook. The episode includes a performance of the hymn by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Janice Kapp Perry wrote the music for the beloved hymn "As Sisters in Zion." She is also a major contributor for many songs in the Children's Songbook. Hear the history behind these songs. Janice herself shares some of the stories of how the songs came about.

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.

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.

Eliza R. Snow, also known as “Zion’s Poetess,” became one of the most respected and influential figures in the early Church. Her poetry gained wide recognition in national newspapers, and several of her poems are included in the Latter-day Saint hymnal, such as “O My Father” and “Though Deepening Trials.” Although she led a difficult life fraught with pain and persecution, her poetry uplifted her and also helped other struggling Saints to continue on and spread the work of God.

This episode describes a hymn with a divinely inspired history. 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.” The hymn proclaims that there is no end to the goodness or light of God. Although it was published in the Deseret News in 1856, the date...

Alexander Schreiner believed strongly that everyone should serve God to the best of their ability. He was highly respected as an organist by several religious groups, including one of the largest Jewish congregations in the world. Ultimately, his hymns reflected his deep faith in Christ in melodies such as “In Memory of the Crucified” and “Truth Eternal.” After a successful career in California, he returned to Utah for the remainder of his life and helped oversee the reconstruction of the...

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. The Church of God would be built high on a mountain, exalted above the hills, and those who belonged to it would preach unto all nations of the reality of the Savior. Johnson wrote this hymn in 1853.

William Wines Phelps is arguably the most influential hymn writer the Church has ever seen. He has 26 hymns to his credit, including the perennial favorites "Praise to the Man" and "The Spirit of God," which is frequently sung at temple dedications. He served as the personal scribe to Joseph Smith and worked with Emma Smith in revising, organizing, and publishing the first hymnal in 1836.

Evan Stephens believed that nature and divinity are inseparable and that the natural world in which we live is by itself a testament of the Almighty. Brother Stephens’s hymns gush with sweet melodies and lyrics about love for his home in Utah, about his unwavering faith, and about his hope for the future. He served as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 26 years and eventually penned “Utah, We Love Thee,” the official state song since 1937.

George Careless was a hugely talented and respected musician during his lifetime. He was blessed with the gift of musical mastery and eventually became 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,” an impromptu composition he originally made for a fan in 1864.

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.

Ebenezer Beesley had tremendous musical talent his whole life and put it to great use. He traveled from England to Utah with his wife in 1859 and eventually joined the Salt Lake Theater Orchestra as a violinist in 1863. He was then appointed by President John Taylor to help publish the Latter Day Saints’ Psalmody, the first Church hymnbook to include music with lyrics. His prowess and abilities eventually led him to become the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 1880. Some of his...

This episode of History of the Hymns teaches about the hymn “O My Father,” written by Eliza R. Snow. Snow became a strong adherent to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and had many beautiful writings to reflect her beliefs. She earned the affectionate nickname “Zion’s Poetess” from Joseph Smith and went on to write several influential poems, including “O My Father” in October 1845. It is a profound hymn that Wilford Woodruff later called a revelation. The hopeful and piercing lyrics speak...

Jeremiah E. Rankin wrote the text of the hymn featured in this episode of History of the Hymns. The accompanying music was composed by William Gould Tomer. The hymn was published in 1882, and it became immensely popular with congregations everywhere. Some accounts even tell of deceased soldiers from World War I having copies on them. There is much suffering and pain in this world, but by trusting the pure love of God, we may rise through the struggle and live with Him again.

Joseph Smith taught that knowing God is essential to having strong faith, and we can converse with the Almighty like we would with other people. Naomi Randall took that teaching to heart and eventually wrote this simple yet powerful hymn at the direction of the general Primary board with the help of composer Mildred T. Pettit in 1957. The hymn was received with great acclaim and success, and it was aptly described as a song that summarized “the whole gospel plan in a few words.”

In this episode we learn the story behind the popular hymn “Adam-ondi-Ahman.” The text was written by William Wines 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 called Southern Harmony, published in 1835. This hymn was sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.

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....

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.

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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...