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Studying the Hymns: The Stories Behind the Songs

© Eric Jordan Jensen

Hymns play an enormous role in the way members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship the Lord. Sunday meetings open and close with sacred music as do firesides and other special assemblies. Often, ward choirs or individual members will perform special musical numbers, which involve the singing or playing of hymns. In addition, the First Presidency counsels families to use music at home, especially in Family Home Evening. Why? Anyone who has listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir can tell you: Music is powerful. Through the singing of hymns, Latter-day Saints can be lifted and strengthened; they can be touched and inspired.

The words and music of our beloved hymns impact us so greatly because their authors wrote under the divine influence of the Almighty. By studying the stories behind the songs, we can gain great insight and meaning from the tunes we sing all the time. Allow me to present you with three examples:

Come, Come Ye Saints

The author of this favorite LDS hymn, William Clayton, was a member of one of the first companies of Saints to head westward to Utah. Forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois, William and the other pioneers faced great difficulties on the muddy trail. Not only did they battle the weather, but they also faced sickness, hunger and exhaustion. William carried an added burden; his pregnant wife, Diantha, remained in Nauvoo, too sick to travel. When word from his sweetheart finally came, William learned that she had given birth to a healthy baby boy. Ecstatic with joy, he penned the lines to this now famous song, stressing the point that all was well.

The song became popular with the traveling Saints, and remains a stirring tribute to the courage and faith of pioneers like William Clayton.

Lead, Kindly Light

In 1833, John Henry Newman was traveling in Europe. While in Sicily, he became ill due to the heat and the poor living conditions that surrounded him. In his misery, he decided that God must have some work for him to do in England; somewhat heartened, he headed for home. Soon after setting sail, his ship hit bad weather. The vessel became engulfed in fog, and Newman suffered not only from melancholy and seasickness, but also from an attack of malaria. He longed for the security of home, a desire which he soon began to associate with a fierce yearning for heavenly light and comfort. He spilled his feelings into the words of this well-loved hymn.