A preview of the forthcoming “Hymnsβfor Home and Church” is in sight, with a segment set to debut in May. Following a six-year endeavor of sifting through numerous submissions and sourcing hymns globally, a compilation of 12 hymns is slated for release on May 30, 2024. Among the featured pieces will be the cherished hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French editions. Accessible through the Sacred Music and Gospel Library apps, as well as the online Music Library, these hymns aim to resonate with diverse audiences.
A more detailed account of this narrative is accessible in video format, while a condensed version will be presented through World Report, a biannual program spotlighting Church developments since the previous general conference. Scheduled for release on April 3 via Newsroom in 11 languages, World Report will also be broadcasted on the Church satellite system throughout and beyond the general conference weekend, in addition to airing on BYUtv and KSL-TV.
Mack Wilburg, the music director for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, expressed, “Weβre now more than ever a worldwide Church. To be able to share hymns together from the worldwide Church, I think, is a really significant and an exciting thing.”
Further releases of new hymns are anticipated every few months until the comprehensive hymnbook is finalized in 2026. This staggered release approach will also be adopted for various other languages over the next two to three years.
Ryan Murphy, an associate music director for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and a member of the hymnbook committee, remarked, “As we continue to have more members of the Church from different cultures and backgrounds and diverse life experiences, weβre increasing the reach of our offerings through the hymns that allow people to feel that they are included in this hymnbook and that their voice can be expressed in worship through the hymns.”
Selecting hymns to resonate with every Latter-day Saint poses a challenge. To address this, the hymnbook committee collaborated with senior Church leaders to establish five guiding principles for the selection process. These principles aim to:
- Foster faith and worship towards Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
- Articulate the core gospel doctrine with clarity and power
- Encourage joyful singing both at home and in church settings
- Provide solace to the weary and inspire endurance in faith
- Promote unity among Church members worldwide
Steve Schank, chair of the new hymnbook committee, expressed enthusiasm about the prospects offered by a new hymnbook:
“We are just so excited about the opportunity that a new hymnbook will give us as a Church to become unified, to meet those sacred music goals, and to come closer to our Heavenly Father and worship not only at church but at home every day. These are the ultimate goals that we hope every Latter-day Saint achieves by using the sacred music of the Church in this new collection.”
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Guest Author
J Washburn
