An article about Mormon hymns, which contain the truths of their faith.
Hymns
Last updated 2009-10-05
Mormon hymns
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir ©
Mormons love to sing, and many of their hymns, like the hymns of other faiths, contain the eternal truths of their faith, condensed into poetic pearls of great beauty and insight.
The story of the angel Moroni's message is told in An Angel from on High:
An angel from on high
The long, long silence broke;
Descending from the sky,
These gracious words he spoke:
'Lo! in Cumorah's lonely hill
A sacred record lies concealed.'Sealed by Moroni's hand,
It has for ages lain
To wait the Lord's command,
From dust to speak again.
It shall again to light come forth
To usher in Christ's reign on earth.Parley P. Pratt
The concept of the eternal family is summed up in the children's hymn Families Can Be Together Forever:
I have a family here on earth.
They are so good to me.
I want to share my life with them
through all eternity.Fam'lies can be together forever
Through Heav'nly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.While I am in my early years, I'll prepare most carefully,
So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.Ruth M. Gardner (© 1980 LDS)
The prophet Joseph Smith is honoured in the popular hymn Praise to the Man:
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.chorus:
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.William W. Phelps, 1792-1872
And Joseph Smith's work in translating the Book of Mormon is the topic of Now We'll Sing with One Accord:
And the Book of Mormon true,
With its cov'nant ever new,
For the Gentile and the Jew,
He translated sacredly.
God's commandments to mankind,
For believing Saints designed,
And to bless the seeking mind,
Came to him from Jesus Christ.William W. Phelps, 1792-1872
The baptism hymn Lord Accept Into Thy Kingdom makes clear reference to the Mormon practice of baptism of the dead in the lines:
Like the sound of rushing waters
In this day his word is said:
Holy ordinance of mercy
For the living and the dead!
Let your hearts rejoice in gladness!
Let the earth break forth and sing!
Let the dead speak praising anthems
To our God, eternal King!Mabel Jones Gabbott
The hymn How beautiful thy temples, Lord! is almost a textbook of Mormon belief in just three verses:
How beautiful thy temples, Lord!
Each one a sacred shrine,
Where faithful Saints, with one accord,
Engage in work divine.
How beautiful some aid to give
To dear ones we call dead,
But who indeed as spirits live;
They've only gone ahead.How beautiful thy message, Lord,
The gospel, pure and true,
In these our days to earth restored
And taught to men anew.
How beautiful its faith and hope;
All mankind it would save,
Including in its aim and scope
The souls beyond the grave.How beautiful thy promise, Lord,
That we may grow in truth,
And live, exalted by thy word,
In endless, glorious youth.
With loved ones sealed in holiness
By sacred temple rites,
Worlds without end we may progress
From heights to greater heights.Frank I. Kooyman (© 1948 LDS)
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