Church History
  • Publications
    • Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days
    • Prophets of the Restoration
    • Global Histories
    • Revelations in Context
    • Women of Conviction
    • Joseph Smith Papers
    • Church Historian’s Press
    • More
  • Visit
    • Church History Museum
    • Historic Sites
    • Church History Library
  • Research
    • Church History Catalog
    • Missionary Database
    • Pioneer Database
    • Treasures of the Collection
    • Pioneer Resources
  • Quick Links
    • Church History Library
    • Church History Museum
    • Church Historic Sites
    • Church History Catalog
    • Church Historian’s Press
    • Joseph Smith Papers
    • Missionary Database
    • Pioneer Database

First Hymnal (1835)

First hymnal

In a revelation given to Joseph Smith in July 1830 (see Doctrine and Covenants 25), his wife, Emma, was called to select hymns for use by Church members. Her compilation included the text of 90 hymns, 35 of which were written by Latter-day Saints. The hymnal used by Latter-day Saints today contains 26 songs from the original, including “The Spirit of God” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”

Emma Smith was called by revelation to “make a selection of sacred hymns.”

Related Resources

Lucy Mack Smith
Lucy Mack Smith was the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Architect’s Renderings Nauvoo Temple (circa 1841-1845)
Architect William Weeks made this sketch of the angel weathervane placed atop the Nauvoo Temple in January 1846.
Foundations of Faith