The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released 10 new hymns for its global "Hymns for Home and Church" collection on Thursday, July 23, bringing the total number of new songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French to 82. The release, which includes both traditional Christian hymns and new submissions, is part of an ongoing phased rollout intended to increase worship and connection to Jesus Christ through sacred music.
A Diverse Musical Collection
The latest batch of songs includes a mix of familiar classics and new compositions. According to reporting by The Church News, the collection features "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "Fight the Good Fight," "To God Be the Glory," and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," some of which were composed nearly 200 years ago and are borrowed from other Christian traditions. Other additions include "Peace, Peace, Be Still," "What God Calls Us To," "Speak to Us, Lord," and "The Miracle."
New and Familiar Melodies
The new release also features works that have previously gained recognition or popularity within the faith. "Peace, Peace, Be Still" and "What God Calls Us To" were both past winners of the Church Music Submission merit award. Additionally, "Isaiah Said" was originally published in The Friend magazine in 1998 and is designed to make Old Testament teachings accessible to children. The song "The Miracle" includes a third verse that was added after the original version by Shawna Edwards became popular, while "It's Joyful To Live the Gospel" is a children's song focused on the theme of joy in discipleship.
Global Language Rollout
The Church is implementing a multi-language rollout strategy to reach its global membership. While the current release focuses on English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, additional hymns are being released in several other languages. This includes 22 hymns in Armenian and Malagasy, 12 in German, Korean, and Tagalog, and nine hymns each in Cebuano, Indonesian, Italian, Samoan, and Tongan. A new batch of hymns is expected later this year and another in 2027, leading up to the projected launch of the full print hymnbook in late 2027.
Focus on Joyful Worship
The emphasis on joyful music follows guidance from Church leadership. According to Steve Schank, the Church's Hymnbook Committee chair, some of the new hymns and songs are intended to sound more joyful in response to direction from Church leaders, following Elder Patrick Kearon's October 2024 general conference address titled "Welcome to the Church of Joy."
The Spiritual Impact of Music
Ryan Eggett, a music manager in the Church's Priesthood and Family Department, noted in an April podcast that sacred music has the power to bring the Spirit into homes. He explained that when sacred music is played, the gospel is being taught within the home, facilitating the sharing of the gospel in a natural way. Schank added that sacred music teaches the gospel in an easy-to-understand manner, promising that the Lord will bless those who use it in their individual lives, homes, and Church meetings, citing Doctrine and Covenants 25:12.
Inclusion Through Song
Members across the globe are already integrating the new music into their worship. In Sweden, Hanna Saffer, a member of the Swedish translation team, noted that the new hymnbook is helping children feel more included in ward settings. Saffer observed that after a friend's child expressed interest in singing more songs in Primary, the ward began singing more Primary songs, including new ones, during sacrament meetings.
Engagement in Provo, Utah
In Provo, Utah, Mateus Rangel, a music coordinator for a Portuguese-speaking ward, has used the new hymns to increase engagement. Rangel, originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shares recordings of the hymns in advance via text to help members and their families learn the melodies. Rangel noted that the recordings, which include children's voices, help his own children connect with the music more deeply than through lyrics alone.
