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| Addition of 12 new songs to the “Hymns for Home and Church” collection in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French |
SALT LAKE CITY — In a move designed to harmonize modern worship with ancient scripture, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the release of 12 new hymns as part of the ongoing rollout for the Hymns for Home and Church collection.
The release, made public on February 26, 2026, comes at a pivotal moment for the global faith. As the Church’s 2026 curriculum focuses on the Old Testament, these musical additions are intended to serve as more than just Sunday accompaniment; they are being positioned as vital pedagogical tools for home and congregational study.
The New Musical Additions
The latest batch of 12 hymns features a blend of newly composed works and adapted classics, all selected to strengthen the spiritual landscape of the home and the chapel. These songs are now available in the online Music Library and the Gospel Library app:
The new hymns now available are:
1. “Joyfully Bound” — Covenants and the joy of gospel living.
2. “My Covenants” — Personal commitment to the Lord's path.
3. “When I Am Baptized” — Updated lyrics emphasizing the Savior’s cleansing power.
4. “The Power of the Holy Ghost” — The role of the Spirit in guiding and sanctifying.
5. “Elijah and the Still, Small Voice” — Based on 1 Kings 19; seeking personal revelation.
6. “Jesus Is My Shepherd” — Inspired by the 23rd Psalm; being known and loved by Christ.
7. “My Song in the Night” — Finding peace and light in times of trial.
8. “This Is My Father’s World” — Celebrating the Creation and God’s hand in nature.
9. “Build an Ark” — Faith and obedience, drawing from the story of Noah.
10. “Love Will Bless Our Home” — The importance of domestic harmony and service.
11. “Lord, Accept Our Humble Fast” — The law of the fast and sacrifice.
12. “Long Ago, Within a Garden” — Spanning the Garden of Eden to the Empty Tomb.
A Global Musical Expansion
This latest release brings the total number of songs in the Hymns for Home and Church collection to 72. While the English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French versions received the full dozen, the Church is also significantly expanding its linguistic reach:
German, Korean, and Tagalog: 11 hymns released today.
New Language Frontiers: For the first time, 13 new hymns were released in eight additional languages, including Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Vietnamese.
Enhancing the Study of the Old Testament
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| The hymns help teach the doctrine and principles of the gospel with power and clarity." |
Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson emphasized that the timing of this release is far from coincidental. With members worldwide currently immersed in the Old Testament, these hymns provide a melodic bridge to the stories of prophets and the nature of God’s early covenants.
"Many of these hymns have ties with the Old Testament, and we think it’ll be a blessing to people in their study of the Bible," President Johnson stated. "The hymns help teach the doctrine and principles of the gospel with power and clarity."
One standout addition is “Elijah and the Still, Small Voice,” which dramatizes the prophet’s encounter on the mountain. By recounting Elijah’s realization that God was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, the hymn reinforces the principle of personal revelation.
Another significant piece, “Long Ago, Within a Garden,” draws inspiration from a landmark 1985 address by the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie. The lyrics guide the singer through the "three gardens of God": Eden, Gethsemane, and the Empty Tomb, weaving a narrative thread from the Fall to the Resurrection.
Modernizing the Catalog: Updates and Clarity
The project is not only about adding new content but also refining the existing catalog. The Church is systematically updating lyrics to improve doctrinal clarity and replacing culturally outdated phrasing.
A notable example in this release is the beloved children’s song “When I Am Baptized.” The updated lyrics aim to more explicitly connect the concept of "washing away sin" to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.
Primary General President Susan H. Porter noted the importance of this shift: "What a gift it is for children to know that once they are baptized, they can joyfully repent and be forgiven... that washing will come through the blessing of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."
Implementation in the Home
Church leadership is encouraging members to do more than just listen. President Johnson suggested several practical ways for families to integrate these new hymns into their daily lives, including memorizing the lyrics, listening to prerecorded tracks throughout the day, and teaching from the songs during family study.
“I would encourage you to do whatever you can to incorporate these new hymns into your life,” said President Johnson.
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