Research Guide
Hymns
Overview
Since the earliest days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, singing hymns to praise the Lord has been an integral part of Latter-day Saint worship. This guide is organized to aid you in researching the history of the Church’s hymns, including their creation, compilation, and dissemination. It identifies resources that can be accessed both online and on-site.
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History of Hymnals
In July 1830, three months after the formal organization of the Church, Joseph Smith received a revelation directed to his wife, Emma Smith. In it the Lord instructed Emma to “make a selection of sacred hymns … to be had in [His] church.”1 Once completed, the first official hymnal of the Church was published in 1835 as A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints . It contained the lyrics for 90 hymns without accompanying musical notation.
Later, in the early 1840s, missionaries serving in Great Britain—including Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor—compiled and published a hymnal for the British Saints. They called itA collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Europe ; it became known as the Manchester Hymnal for its place of publication.
Shortly after the Manchester Hymnal was published, Emma Smith led the Saints in Nauvoo to expand the 1835 hymnal to include 304 hymns. It was published asA collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Selected by Emma Smith .
Since that time, various collections of hymns have been published; some of the hymnals were officially sanctioned by the Church, while others were not. What follows is a list of prominent hymnals and songbooks in the history of the Church and their location within the Church History Catalog and elsewhere.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1840 Manchester Hymnal. A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe. Selected by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor. Published by order of a general conference, and for sale at 149, Oldham Road, Manchester, and by agents throughout England.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1841 Second Official Hymnal—Published in Nauvoo, Illinois. A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Selected by Emma Smith.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 .
Manchester Hymnal, Second Edition (25 editions in total). A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Europe. Selected by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor. Second edition.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
A Small Selection of Choice Hymns. A Small Selection of Choice Hymns for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by C. Merkley.
Digital Format ; catalog location 1 .
1844 The “Bellow Falls” Hymnal. A collection of sacred hymns, for use of the Latter Day Saints. Selected and Published by J.C. Little and G.B. Gardner.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1857 Psalmody, Composed and Arranged for the Organ. The Latter Day Saints’ Psalmody. Composed and Arranged for the Organ or Pianoforte, by John Tullidge.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1871 Sacred Hymns. Sacred hymns and spiritual songs, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , and 9 .
1880 Eliza R. Snow’s Collection for the Primary. Hymns and songs: Selected from various authors, for the Primary Associations of the children of Zion. First edition (stereotype).
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1883 Tabernacle Choir Hymnal. A collection of hymns and anthems set to music by home composers. Compiled by E. Beesley for the use of the Salt Lake City Tabernacle Choir.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1884 Sunday School Music Book. Deseret Sunday School Union music book, containing a large collection of choice pieces for the use of Sunday schools.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 .
1889 Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody. The Latter-day Saints’ psalmody. A collection of original tunes composed and compiled by the following committee: G. Careless, E. Beesley, J. J. Daynes, E. Stephens, T. C. Griggs, also embracing compositions of other well known composers, together with a number of old and familiar tunes specially arranged for the work, providing music for every hymn in the L.D.S. hymn book. Gotten up under the approval of the late President John Taylor, and accepted by President Wilford Woodruff and Council, for the use of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 7 .
1892 Deseret Sunday School Song Book. Deseret Sunday School song book. A collection of choice pieces for the use of Sunday schools and suitable for other occasions.
Digital format (1894 edition) ; catalog location 1 .
1905 The Primary Song Book. The Primary Song Book.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1908 Songs of Zion Missionary Hymnal. A selection of seventeen songs made from over 240 uplifting and soul-inspiring songs contained in our new song book, the Songs of Zion. Especially selected and arranged for the home and for all meetings, Sunday schools, and gatherings of elders and saints in the mission field.
Digital format ; and catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1909 Songs of Zion Missionary Hymnal—Updated. The Songs of Zion. A collection of choice songs especially selected and arranged for the home and for all meetings, Sunday schools, and gatherings of elders and saints in the mission field.
Digital format (1912 edition) ; catalog location 1 .
Deseret Sunday School Songs. Deseret Sunday School songs. For the use of Sunday schools and suitable for Primary associations, religion classes, quorum meetings, social gatherings and the home.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1919 Relief Society Song Book. Relief Society song book. A collection of selected hymns and songs especially arranged for the use of the Relief Societies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1927 Latter-day Saint Hymns. Latter-day Saint hymns. A collection of hymns and spiritual songs, containing words and music, for use of choirs and congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 7 .
1940 Little Stories in Song. Little Stories in Song.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1948 Hymns: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hymns: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 .
1951 The Children Sing. The Children Sing: Designed for Children Everywhere, but Prepared for Use of Children of the Junior Sunday School and Primary Organizations.
Digital format ; and catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1969 Sing with Me. Sing with Me: Songs for Children.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1985 Hymns (Current Edition). Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format 2; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1989 Children’s Songbook. The Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
Later, in the early 1840s, missionaries serving in Great Britain—including Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor—compiled and published a hymnal for the British Saints. They called it
Shortly after the Manchester Hymnal was published, Emma Smith led the Saints in Nauvoo to expand the 1835 hymnal to include 304 hymns. It was published as
Since that time, various collections of hymns have been published; some of the hymnals were officially sanctioned by the Church, while others were not. What follows is a list of prominent hymnals and songbooks in the history of the Church and their location within the Church History Catalog and elsewhere.
English Songbooks and Hymnals
1835 First Hymnal. A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Selected by Emma Smith.1840 Manchester Hymnal. A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe. Selected by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor. Published by order of a general conference, and for sale at 149, Oldham Road, Manchester, and by agents throughout England.
1841 Second Official Hymnal—Published in Nauvoo, Illinois. A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Selected by Emma Smith.
Manchester Hymnal, Second Edition (25 editions in total). A collection of sacred hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Europe. Selected by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor. Second edition.
A Small Selection of Choice Hymns. A Small Selection of Choice Hymns for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by C. Merkley.
1844 The “Bellow Falls” Hymnal. A collection of sacred hymns, for use of the Latter Day Saints. Selected and Published by J.C. Little and G.B. Gardner.
1857 Psalmody, Composed and Arranged for the Organ. The Latter Day Saints’ Psalmody. Composed and Arranged for the Organ or Pianoforte, by John Tullidge.
1871 Sacred Hymns. Sacred hymns and spiritual songs, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1880 Eliza R. Snow’s Collection for the Primary. Hymns and songs: Selected from various authors, for the Primary Associations of the children of Zion. First edition (stereotype).
1883 Tabernacle Choir Hymnal. A collection of hymns and anthems set to music by home composers. Compiled by E. Beesley for the use of the Salt Lake City Tabernacle Choir.
1884 Sunday School Music Book. Deseret Sunday School Union music book, containing a large collection of choice pieces for the use of Sunday schools.
1889 Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody. The Latter-day Saints’ psalmody. A collection of original tunes composed and compiled by the following committee: G. Careless, E. Beesley, J. J. Daynes, E. Stephens, T. C. Griggs, also embracing compositions of other well known composers, together with a number of old and familiar tunes specially arranged for the work, providing music for every hymn in the L.D.S. hymn book. Gotten up under the approval of the late President John Taylor, and accepted by President Wilford Woodruff and Council, for the use of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
1892 Deseret Sunday School Song Book. Deseret Sunday School song book. A collection of choice pieces for the use of Sunday schools and suitable for other occasions.
1905 The Primary Song Book. The Primary Song Book.
1908 Songs of Zion Missionary Hymnal. A selection of seventeen songs made from over 240 uplifting and soul-inspiring songs contained in our new song book, the Songs of Zion. Especially selected and arranged for the home and for all meetings, Sunday schools, and gatherings of elders and saints in the mission field.
1909 Songs of Zion Missionary Hymnal—Updated. The Songs of Zion. A collection of choice songs especially selected and arranged for the home and for all meetings, Sunday schools, and gatherings of elders and saints in the mission field.
Deseret Sunday School Songs. Deseret Sunday School songs. For the use of Sunday schools and suitable for Primary associations, religion classes, quorum meetings, social gatherings and the home.
1919 Relief Society Song Book. Relief Society song book. A collection of selected hymns and songs especially arranged for the use of the Relief Societies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1927 Latter-day Saint Hymns. Latter-day Saint hymns. A collection of hymns and spiritual songs, containing words and music, for use of choirs and congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1940 Little Stories in Song. Little Stories in Song.
1948 Hymns: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hymns: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1951 The Children Sing. The Children Sing: Designed for Children Everywhere, but Prepared for Use of Children of the Junior Sunday School and Primary Organizations.
1969 Sing with Me. Sing with Me: Songs for Children.
1985 Hymns (Current Edition). Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1989 Children’s Songbook. The Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Notable Non-English Hymnals
Since the compilation of a Welsh hymnal in 1846 , making hymnbooks available to Saints throughout the world has been a top priority for the Church. In 2018, the Church announced that the current 1985 edition of the hymnbook had been translated into 38 languages , with “several more languages approaching completion.” Regarding this, the Church stated:
Each language version of the hymnbook is carefully crafted, containing core hymns familiar to members worldwide as well as other hymns that are meaningful to those who speak that particular language. The selection and translation process can be long, but the aim is to ensure that every hymnbook in every language is the most beautiful, doctrinally sound, and unifying collection possible.3
Many of the first editions of hymnbooks in a language other than English were compiled by missionaries or members of the Church who spoke that language and were not officially published by the Church. The Church History Library has vast collections of these hymnals.
The following list of non-English hymnals is not comprehensive. The editions highlighted here are taken from 1) the 14 most prevalent non-English languages in the Church,4 2) the earliest (pre-1930) non-English language hymnals, and 3) the hymnals cited in Flake and Draper’s A Mormon Bibliography: 1830–1930.3
1996 Mga Himno ug mga Awit sa mga Bata. Mga Himno ug mga Awit sa mga Bata.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
2002 Mga Himno (Current Edition). Mga Himno sa Ang Simbahan ni Jesukristo sa mga Santos sa Ulahing mga Adlaw.
Digital format .
1961nullSelected Hymns 聖詩選集
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 (1965 edition).
1975 Hymns, Chinese 聖詩選集
Catalog location1 .
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chinese (Current Edition) 耶稣基督后期圣徒教会圣诗选辑
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 (2001 edition).
1851 En samling af hellige lovsange og hymner, til brug i Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige. En samling af hellige lovsange og hymner, til brug i Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige.
Digital format (1852 edition); catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1853 Psalmer. Psalmer og aandelige Sange til Brug for Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige i Scankinavien. Fierde Udgave.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1884 Salmer. Salmer med melodier til brug for Jesu Kristi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1910 Zions sange. Zions sange en samling af Udvalgte sange.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 .
1956 Sange. Sange.
Catalog location1 .
1993 Salmer og Sange (Current Edition). Jesu Kristi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige Salmer og Sange.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1884 Heilige lofzangen. Heilige lofzangen en geestelijke liederen voor De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen in Nederland.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1907 Heilige lofzangen Rotterdam. Heilige lofzangen en geestelijke Liederen voor de Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen.
Catalog locations1 , 2 , and 3 .
1956 Heilige Lofzangen. Heilige Lofzangen.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1992 Lofzangen (Current Edition). Lofzangen van De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1857 Recueil de Cantiques. Recueil de Cantiques a l’usage des Saints-des-Derniers-Jours. Publié par Jno. L. Smith.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 (1861 edition).
1899 Hymnes. Hymnes a l’usage des branches francaises de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Traduits et recueillis par D. B. Richards et N. C. Giauque.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1907 Hymnes Rotterdam. Hymnes de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours pour les Conférences françaises de Missions Suisse-Allemande et Néerlando-Belge.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1930 Cantiques de l’Eglise de Jesus-Christ. Cantiques de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Edition Centenaire 100 ans de progress.
Catalog location1 .
1954 Hymnes. Hymnes: Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1993 Cantiques (Current Edition). Cantique de L’église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers jours.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1861n Liederbuch. Liederbuch fur die kirche Jesu Christi de Heiligen der letzten Tage. Heraugegeben von Jabez Woodard, Druck von J. H. Tillmann.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1901 Gesangbuch. Gesangbuch der Heiligen der Letzten Tage.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1925 Chorliederbuch. Chorliederbuch für die Chöre der Schweizerischen und Deutschen Mission der Kirche Jesu Christi der heiligen der Letzten Tage.
Catalog locations1 and 2 (1927 edition).
1954 Gesangbuch. Gesangbuch der Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen er Letzten Tage.
Catalog location1 .
1996 Gesangbuch (Current Edition). Gesangbuch Kirche Jesu Christi Der Heiligen Der Letzten Tage.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1885 Na halelu hoano. Na halelu Hoano. He mau himeni no na kula sabati ame na Halawai e ae. Hoakoakoaia ia Frederika Bikale.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1909 Na Mele o Ziona. Na mele o Ziona. He mau himeni no ka home, ke kula sabati, ame na halawai e ae. Hoakoakoaia e Frederika Bikale.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1924 Na mele o Ziona. Na mele o Ziona.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1965 Na Mele o Ziona (Most Recent Edition). Na Mele o Ziona.
Catalog location1 .
1903 Sálmar. Sálmar Þeirra síðustu daga heilögu. Á Íslandi, Fyrsta Hefti.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1970s Sálmar. Sálmar
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1993 Sálmar (Current Edition). Sálmar Kirkju Jesú Krists hinna Síðari daga heilögu.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1963 Una selezione degl’ inni. Una selezione degl’inni della Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1975 Inni. Inni.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1994 Inni (Current Edition). Inni della Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1905 Psalmody. Psalmody of the Japan Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Japanese / compiled by Elders Horace S. Ensign and Frederick A. Caine.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1915 Latter-day Saint Hymns (Songs of Zion) 末日聖徒 賛美歌
Catalog locations1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 .
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Japanese (Current Edition) 末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会賛美歌
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1958 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Korean 찬송가
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1970 Hymns 찬송가
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Korean (Current Edition) 찬송가 – 말일성도 예수 그리스도 교회
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1910 Nga himene hunga tapu. Nga himene hunga tapu.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1917 Nga himene mo nga hunga tapu. Nga himene mo nga hunga tapu.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 (1918 edition), and 4 6.
1928 Nga himene hunga tapu. Nga himene hunga tapu. He mea whiriwhiri, he mea whakararangi, hei himene ki te Kainga ki roto i nga huihuinga katoa o nga Kaumatua, o te Hunga Tapu hoki o te Mihana o Niu Tireni.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
2006 Nga himene hunga tapu (2006 Reprint of the 1928 Edition). Nga himene hunga tapu.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1938 Siste Dagers Helliges Sangbok. Siste Dagers Helliges sangbok.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1956 Salmer og Sanger. Salmer og sanger: Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige.
Catalog location1 .
1993 Salmer (Current Edition). Salmer.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1940 Hinos de Sion. Hinos de Sion.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1947 Hinario da Missao Brasileira. Hinario da Missao Brasileira.
Catalog location1 .
1950 Hinos. Hinos.
Catalog location1 .
1951 Hinos. Hinos: Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias.
Catalog location1 .
199 Hinos (Current Edition). Hinos de a Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1991 Гимнбi. Гимнбi / no. 2.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1993 Hymns and Children’s Songs, Russian Гимны и песни для детей. Гимны и песни для детей.
Catalog location1 .
2005 Гимны. Гимны Церкви Иисуса Христа Святых последних дней.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1908 O Pese o Siona. O pese o Siona mo le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au paia o Aso e Gata ai. Na lomia i le Fale Lomi Tusi a le Ekalesia.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1918 O Pese o Siona. O pese o Siona mo le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au paia o Aso e Gata ai.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1961 O Viiga i le atua. O Viiga i le Atua: a le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au Paia o Aso e Gata ai.
Catalog locations1 (1965 edition), 2 , and 3 .
1994 Vi’iga (Current Edition). Vi’iga a le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le au Pa’ia o Aso e Gata Ai.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1907 Himnario Mormon. Himnario Mormon.
Digital format
; catalog location 1 .
1911 Canciones de Sion. Canciones de Sion o del Culto Mormon / por la Señora
Samantha T. Brimhall de Foley.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1912 Himnos de Sion Rey Pratt. Himnos de Sion de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1912 Himnos de Sion la Misión Mexicana. Himnos de Sion de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1942 Himnos de Sion. Himnos de Sion.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1992 Himnos (Current Edition). Himnos de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 .
1860 Andeliga Sånger. Andeliga Sånger till bruk för Jesu Christi Kyrkas Sista Dagars helige, öfwersatta af Jonas Engberg. Första Upplagan.
Digital format (1881, 4th edition); catalog location 1 .
1895 De Skandinaviska. De Skandinaviska Sista Dagarnes Heligas koralbok. Innehållande harmoniserade melodier till alla i den senaste upplagan af både svenska och danska sångboken förekommande sånger.
Digital format (not available); catalog location1 .
1910 Zions Sånger. Zions sånger. En samling af utvalda sånger för de Sista Dagars heliges Möten, söndagsskolor, missionärsföreningar, och hemmet.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 , 2 , and 3 .
1956 Sånger. Sånger Jesu Kristi Kyrka av Sista Dagars Heliga.
Catalog location1 .
1993 Psalmer (Current Edition). Psalmer – Jesu Kristi Kyrka av Sista Dagars Heliga.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1995 Mga Himno. Mga Himno at Awit Pambata.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
2001 Mga Himno (Current Edition). Mga himno ng ang Simbahan ni Jesucristo ng mga Banal sa mga Huling Araw.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1913 E Buka himene. E buka himene evanelia. I Faaauhia ei Haamaitairaa i te Atua.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1978 Te Buka Himene. Te Buka Himene: Te Ekalesia a Iesu Mesia i te Feia Mo’a i te Mau Mahana Hopea Nei — Hymnes: L’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1995 Te Mau Himene (Current Edition). Te Mau Himene a Te Ekalesia a Iesu Mesia i te Feia Mo‘a i te Mau Mahana Hopea Nei.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1912 Koe ga’ahi Himo O Saione. Koe ga’ahi Himo O Saione. Koe ma’obo ‘obo oe ga’ ahi himi ki he abi Ki he Lau Tohi Fakasabata Moe ga’abi lotu kehekehe.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1983 Ngaahi Himi. Ngaahi Himi.
Catalog locations1 and 2 .
1994 Ngaahi Himí (Current Edition). Ngaahi himi ‘o e siasi ‘o sisu kalaisi ‘o e kau ma ‘oni’oni ‘i he ngaahi ‘aho kimui n’i.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1899 Roihani ilahiler. Roihani ilahiler.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1924 Hymns, Turkish. Hymns, Turkish Armenian Mission.
Digital format ; catalog location: 1 .
1982 İlahiler ve Çocuk Şarilari (most recent edition). İlahiler ve Çocuk Şarilari.
Catalog location1 .
1846 Casgliad o hymnau. Casgliad o hymnau newyddion ynghyd ag odlau ysbrydol, at Wasanaeth Saint y dyddiau diweddaf.
Digital format ; catalog locations 1 and 2 .
1851 Hymnau. Hymnau, wedi eu Cyfansoddi a’u Casglu, yn Fwyaf Neillduol, at wasanaeth Saint Y Dyddiau Diweddaf. Ail argraffiad.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 .
1852 Casgliad o hymnau 2nd Edition. Casgliad o hymnau, caniadau, ac Odlau ysbrydol at wasanaeth Saint Y Dyddiau Diweddaf yn Nghymru.
Digital format ; catalog location 1 and 2 .
Each language version of the hymnbook is carefully crafted, containing core hymns familiar to members worldwide as well as other hymns that are meaningful to those who speak that particular language. The selection and translation process can be long, but the aim is to ensure that every hymnbook in every language is the most beautiful, doctrinally sound, and unifying collection possible.3
Many of the first editions of hymnbooks in a language other than English were compiled by missionaries or members of the Church who spoke that language and were not officially published by the Church. The Church History Library has vast collections of these hymnals.
The following list of non-English hymnals is not comprehensive. The editions highlighted here are taken from 1) the 14 most prevalent non-English languages in the Church,4 2) the earliest (pre-1930) non-English language hymnals, and 3) the hymnals cited in Flake and Draper’s A Mormon Bibliography: 1830–1930.3
Cebuano
1996 Mga Himno ug mga Awit sa mga Bata. Mga Himno ug mga Awit sa mga Bata.
2002 Mga Himno (Current Edition). Mga Himno sa Ang Simbahan ni Jesukristo sa mga Santos sa Ulahing mga Adlaw.
Chinese
1961nullSelected Hymns 聖詩選集
1975 Hymns, Chinese 聖詩選集
Catalog location
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chinese (Current Edition) 耶稣基督后期圣徒教会圣诗选辑
Danish
1851 En samling af hellige lovsange og hymner, til brug i Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige. En samling af hellige lovsange og hymner, til brug i Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige.
1853 Psalmer. Psalmer og aandelige Sange til Brug for Jesu Christi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige i Scankinavien. Fierde Udgave.
1884 Salmer. Salmer med melodier til brug for Jesu Kristi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige.
1910 Zions sange. Zions sange en samling af Udvalgte sange.
1956 Sange. Sange.
Catalog location
1993 Salmer og Sange (Current Edition). Jesu Kristi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige Salmer og Sange.
Dutch
1884 Heilige lofzangen. Heilige lofzangen en geestelijke liederen voor De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen in Nederland.
1907 Heilige lofzangen Rotterdam. Heilige lofzangen en geestelijke Liederen voor de Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen.
Catalog locations
1956 Heilige Lofzangen. Heilige Lofzangen.
Catalog locations
1992 Lofzangen (Current Edition). Lofzangen van De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen.
French
1857 Recueil de Cantiques. Recueil de Cantiques a l’usage des Saints-des-Derniers-Jours. Publié par Jno. L. Smith.
1899 Hymnes. Hymnes a l’usage des branches francaises de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Traduits et recueillis par D. B. Richards et N. C. Giauque.
1907 Hymnes Rotterdam. Hymnes de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours pour les Conférences françaises de Missions Suisse-Allemande et Néerlando-Belge.
1930 Cantiques de l’Eglise de Jesus-Christ. Cantiques de l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Edition Centenaire 100 ans de progress.
Catalog location
1954 Hymnes. Hymnes: Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours.
Catalog locations
1993 Cantiques (Current Edition). Cantique de L’église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers jours.
German
1861n Liederbuch. Liederbuch fur die kirche Jesu Christi de Heiligen der letzten Tage. Heraugegeben von Jabez Woodard, Druck von J. H. Tillmann.
1901 Gesangbuch. Gesangbuch der Heiligen der Letzten Tage.
1925 Chorliederbuch. Chorliederbuch für die Chöre der Schweizerischen und Deutschen Mission der Kirche Jesu Christi der heiligen der Letzten Tage.
Catalog locations
1954 Gesangbuch. Gesangbuch der Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen er Letzten Tage.
Catalog location
1996 Gesangbuch (Current Edition). Gesangbuch Kirche Jesu Christi Der Heiligen Der Letzten Tage.
Hawaiian
1885 Na halelu hoano. Na halelu Hoano. He mau himeni no na kula sabati ame na Halawai e ae. Hoakoakoaia ia Frederika Bikale.
1909 Na Mele o Ziona. Na mele o Ziona. He mau himeni no ka home, ke kula sabati, ame na halawai e ae. Hoakoakoaia e Frederika Bikale.
1924 Na mele o Ziona. Na mele o Ziona.
1965 Na Mele o Ziona (Most Recent Edition). Na Mele o Ziona.
Catalog location
Icelandic
1903 Sálmar. Sálmar Þeirra síðustu daga heilögu. Á Íslandi, Fyrsta Hefti.
1970s Sálmar. Sálmar
1993 Sálmar (Current Edition). Sálmar Kirkju Jesú Krists hinna Síðari daga heilögu.
Italian
1963 Una selezione degl’ inni. Una selezione degl’inni della Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni.
1975 Inni. Inni.
Catalog locations
1994 Inni (Current Edition). Inni della Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni.
Japanese
1905 Psalmody. Psalmody of the Japan Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Japanese / compiled by Elders Horace S. Ensign and Frederick A. Caine.
1915 Latter-day Saint Hymns (Songs of Zion) 末日聖徒 賛美歌
Catalog locations
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Japanese (Current Edition) 末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会賛美歌
Korean
1958 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Korean 찬송가
1970 Hymns 찬송가
Catalog locations
1989 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Korean (Current Edition) 찬송가 – 말일성도 예수 그리스도 교회
Maori
1910 Nga himene hunga tapu. Nga himene hunga tapu.
1917 Nga himene mo nga hunga tapu. Nga himene mo nga hunga tapu.
1928 Nga himene hunga tapu. Nga himene hunga tapu. He mea whiriwhiri, he mea whakararangi, hei himene ki te Kainga ki roto i nga huihuinga katoa o nga Kaumatua, o te Hunga Tapu hoki o te Mihana o Niu Tireni.
2006 Nga himene hunga tapu (2006 Reprint of the 1928 Edition). Nga himene hunga tapu.
Norwegian
1938 Siste Dagers Helliges Sangbok. Siste Dagers Helliges sangbok.
1956 Salmer og Sanger. Salmer og sanger: Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige.
Catalog location
1993 Salmer (Current Edition). Salmer.
Portuguese
1940 Hinos de Sion. Hinos de Sion.
1947 Hinario da Missao Brasileira. Hinario da Missao Brasileira.
Catalog location
1950 Hinos. Hinos.
Catalog location
1951 Hinos. Hinos: Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias.
Catalog location
199 Hinos (Current Edition). Hinos de a Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias.
Russian
1991 Гимнбi. Гимнбi / no. 2.
1993 Hymns and Children’s Songs, Russian Гимны и песни для детей. Гимны и песни для детей.
Catalog location
2005 Гимны. Гимны Церкви Иисуса Христа Святых последних дней.
Samoan
1908 O Pese o Siona. O pese o Siona mo le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au paia o Aso e Gata ai. Na lomia i le Fale Lomi Tusi a le Ekalesia.
1918 O Pese o Siona. O pese o Siona mo le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au paia o Aso e Gata ai.
1961 O Viiga i le atua. O Viiga i le Atua: a le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le Au Paia o Aso e Gata ai.
Catalog locations
1994 Vi’iga (Current Edition). Vi’iga a le Ekalesia a Iesu Keriso o le au Pa’ia o Aso e Gata Ai.
Spanish
1907 Himnario Mormon. Himnario Mormon.
1911 Canciones de Sion. Canciones de Sion o del Culto Mormon / por la Señora
Samantha T. Brimhall de Foley.
1912 Himnos de Sion Rey Pratt. Himnos de Sion de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias.
Catalog locations
1912 Himnos de Sion la Misión Mexicana. Himnos de Sion de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias.
1942 Himnos de Sion. Himnos de Sion.
Catalog locations
1992 Himnos (Current Edition). Himnos de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días.
Swedish
1860 Andeliga Sånger. Andeliga Sånger till bruk för Jesu Christi Kyrkas Sista Dagars helige, öfwersatta af Jonas Engberg. Första Upplagan.
1895 De Skandinaviska. De Skandinaviska Sista Dagarnes Heligas koralbok. Innehållande harmoniserade melodier till alla i den senaste upplagan af både svenska och danska sångboken förekommande sånger.
Digital format (not available); catalog location
1910 Zions Sånger. Zions sånger. En samling af utvalda sånger för de Sista Dagars heliges Möten, söndagsskolor, missionärsföreningar, och hemmet.
1956 Sånger. Sånger Jesu Kristi Kyrka av Sista Dagars Heliga.
Catalog location
1993 Psalmer (Current Edition). Psalmer – Jesu Kristi Kyrka av Sista Dagars Heliga.
Tagalog
1995 Mga Himno. Mga Himno at Awit Pambata.
2001 Mga Himno (Current Edition). Mga himno ng ang Simbahan ni Jesucristo ng mga Banal sa mga Huling Araw.
Tahitian
1913 E Buka himene. E buka himene evanelia. I Faaauhia ei Haamaitairaa i te Atua.
1978 Te Buka Himene. Te Buka Himene: Te Ekalesia a Iesu Mesia i te Feia Mo’a i te Mau Mahana Hopea Nei — Hymnes: L’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours.
Catalog locations
1995 Te Mau Himene (Current Edition). Te Mau Himene a Te Ekalesia a Iesu Mesia i te Feia Mo‘a i te Mau Mahana Hopea Nei.
Tongan
1912 Koe ga’ahi Himo O Saione. Koe ga’ahi Himo O Saione. Koe ma’obo ‘obo oe ga’ ahi himi ki he abi Ki he Lau Tohi Fakasabata Moe ga’abi lotu kehekehe.
1983 Ngaahi Himi. Ngaahi Himi.
Catalog locations
1994 Ngaahi Himí (Current Edition). Ngaahi himi ‘o e siasi ‘o sisu kalaisi ‘o e kau ma ‘oni’oni ‘i he ngaahi ‘aho kimui n’i.
Turkish
1899 Roihani ilahiler. Roihani ilahiler.
1924 Hymns, Turkish. Hymns, Turkish Armenian Mission.
1982 İlahiler ve Çocuk Şarilari (most recent edition). İlahiler ve Çocuk Şarilari.
Catalog location
Welsh
1846 Casgliad o hymnau. Casgliad o hymnau newyddion ynghyd ag odlau ysbrydol, at Wasanaeth Saint y dyddiau diweddaf.
1851 Hymnau. Hymnau, wedi eu Cyfansoddi a’u Casglu, yn Fwyaf Neillduol, at wasanaeth Saint Y Dyddiau Diweddaf. Ail argraffiad.
1852 Casgliad o hymnau 2nd Edition. Casgliad o hymnau, caniadau, ac Odlau ysbrydol at wasanaeth Saint Y Dyddiau Diweddaf yn Nghymru.
Secondary Sources on Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church-Produced Essays and Articles
Joyce P. Brown, “
Sheila Gill Hadden and James Goldberg, “
“
“
“
Michael F. Moody, “
“
“
Devotional Addresses
Merrill J. Bateman, “
Jay E. Jensen, “
W. Herbert Klopfer, “
Dallin H. Oaks, “
Steven E. Snow, “
Articles about the 1985 Hymnal (chronological order)
Kathleen Lubeck, “
Chad Phares, “
Garrett H. Garff, “
Articles about the Hymnbook and Children’s Songbook in Development (as of December 2021; chronological order)
Camille West, “
Camille West, “
Eleanor Cain Adams, “
Tad Walch, “
Tad Walch, “
“
“
General Articles about Latter-day Saint Hymns
Nancy J. Andersen, “Mormon Hymnody: Kirtland Roots and Evolutionary Branches,” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 32, no. 1 (Spring 2006), 145–71.
Nan N. Bullen,
Sarah Burchett,
Douglas Campbell,
Richard Clothier, “The Hymns of Kirtland: A Festival of Hymns and History,” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 30, no. 1 (Spring 2004), 75–103.
Rachel Cope, “A Sacred Space for Women: Hymnody in Emma Hale Smith’s Theology,” Journal of Religious History, vol. 42, no. 2 (June 2018), 242–64.
Marilyn J. Crandall, “
Karen Lynn Davidson,
Karen Lynn Davidson,
John-Charles Duffy and Hugo Olaiz,
Lowell M. Durham,
Raymond C. Gobin,
Norberto Guinaldo,
Michael Hicks, “
Michael Hicks,
Michael Hicks,
Karen Lynn,
Helen Hanks Macare, “The Singing Saints: A Study of the Mormon Hymnal, 1835–1950” (Ph.D. diss., UCLA, 1961).
Michael F. Moody, “Contemporary Hymnody in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (PhD diss., University of Southern California, 1972).
Zachary Osborne,
Mary D. Poulter, “
Emily Parker Updegraff,
Newell B. Weight, “An Historical Study of the Origins and Character of the Indigenous Hymn Tunes of the Latter-day Saints” (DMA. diss., University of Southern California, 1961).
Newell B. Weight,
Walter Whipple,
Weldon Whipple,
Williams, Frederick G. Williams, “
Books
J. Spencer Cornwall, Stories of Our Mormon Hymns (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1961). (
Karen Lynn Davidson, Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988). (
Patricia Kelsey Graham, We Shall Make Music: Stories of the Primary Songs and How They Came to Be (Springville, Utah: Horizon, 2007). (
Patricia Kelsey Graham, Stories of the Children’s Songbooks: How the Primary Songs Came to Be (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Publishing, 2015). (
Michael Hicks, Mormonism and Music: A History (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1989). (
Michael Hicks, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir: A Biography (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2015). (
Michael Hicks, Spencer Kimball’s Record Collection: Essays on Mormon Music (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, 2020). (
George Pyper, Stories of Latter-day Saint hymns, their authors and composers (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1939). (
LaVonne VanOrden, Blessed by the Hymns (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1989). (
Other Online Resources
The BYU library’s subject guide for Latter-day Saint music contains a bevy of resources that include information about hymn arrangements, links to hymn databases, historical essays on the hymns, non-English hymn resources, and much more. It also houses a
Of special interest to this research guide is the BYU library’s specific subject guides on
BYU’s Latter-day Saint music subject guide also has several helpful lists for researchers:
Alphabetical hymn cross-reference between English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese Hymns not found in English but that appear in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German Kurt Kammeyer’s Latter-day Saint Hymn Database and aguide to the databaseLatter-day Saint Hymn Cross Reference by Page Number —A list of corresponding hymns in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and GermanMusic in the Children’s Friend from 1902 to 1970
From the website: “The following lists are hymns found in the current editions of LDS foreign language hymnals, but which cannot be found in the 1985 English hymnal.”
“
From the website: “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.”
From the website: “Do you search for hymns and worship music for worship services? Are you researching a particular hymn? Looking for an arrangement or media file? If so, Hymnary.org is for you. Hymnary.org is an online hymn and worship music database for worship leaders, hymnologists, and amateur hymn lovers alike. At Hymnary.org you can search or browse hymns by title, tune, meter, key, scripture reference, and more.”
The Church History Library has provided Hymnary.org with an
BYU has digitized Flake and Draper’s comprehensive bibliography, which contains information on all known Latter-day Saint hymnals before 1930.
The Church’s official music page provides lay members and researchers resources regarding hymns, such as a
SingPraises.net is a massive database that seeks to collect hymns of the Church (and other related faiths) in one location. It is maintained by Samuel Bradshaw and is the most comprehensive database of hymns of the Church.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has compiled a list of all of their hymn history blog posts into one convenient webpage.
Church History Library Collections
To find collections in the Church History Catalog relating to music and hymns of the Church, perform a search for CR 108. To see the Church History Library’s vast collection of hymnals in all languages, perform a search for M285.2.
Below is a list of useful collections in the catalog relating to hymns:
This document contains a brief history of the General Music Committee since its inception in 1920. It includes the process the committee used to determine how to create new hymnbooks.
This manual was created to outline the duties and responsibilities of stake and ward musicians. It contains suggestions to systematize the work of conductors and organists.
Davidson served on the music committee during the creation of the 1985 hymnal. This collection includes her comments on her involvement in the preparation of the Latter-day Saint hymnal.
Lauper Goodliffe served on the music committee during the creation of the 1985 hymnal. She gives details about the work of the committee that produced the new Latter-day Saint hymnal.
Discussion of Moody’s service as chairman of Church’s General Music Committee, focusing on his service from 1985 to 2000.
Collections about Non-English Hymns
This bibliography contains a large collection of non-English hymnals up to 1986.
Contains hymn lyrics in Danish.
Includes a discussion about the creation of a German choir book and hymnbook.
Includes a discussion of his help in translating the hymns into Russian.
Includes a discussion of his help in translating the hymns in Ukrainian.
Includes a discussion of Ruth Rees’s work to compile Latter-day Saint hymns translated into Lithuanian.
Includes a discussion of Daniela’s work translating hymns into Albanian.
Includes a discussion about Anahit’s work translating hymns into Armenian.
Explores the history of hymns published in Denmark from 1850 to 2018.
Brief history of the development of the Latter-day Saint German hymnbook.
A series of essays written in Spanish about the hymns of the Church with biographies about the people who produced them.
Biography picture book about Sister Toshiko Yanagita, who translated English hymns into Japanese.
Contains Joseph T. Wilkinson’s handwritten Tahitian songbook from his mission in Tahiti from 1905 to 1908.
Notes
Notes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 25:11.
2. All digital formats for current language editions of Hymns will redirect to the hymnal’s page at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
3. Garrett H. Garff, “The Hymnbook Turns 30,” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 75.
4. As of November 2021.
5. These hymnals do not include children’s songbooks or Primary books.
6. To access this collection, you need to sign in the Church History Library Catalog and request access.
2. All digital formats for current language editions of Hymns will redirect to the hymnal’s page at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
3. Garrett H. Garff, “The Hymnbook Turns 30,” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 75.
4. As of November 2021.
5. These hymnals do not include children’s songbooks or Primary books.
6. To access this collection, you need to sign in the Church History Library Catalog and request access.