Old Testament Themed Hymns Join Hymns for Home and Church

The release of the new hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues with the addition of 12 new songs to the “Hymns for Home and Church” collection in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. These songs will be available on the online Music Library and Gospel Library app within the next 24 hours. 

The new hymns now available are:

These additions bring the total number of songs in “Hymns for Home and Church” to 72 in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Eleven hymns are being released today in German, Korean and Tagalog.

For the first time, thirteen new hymns are being released in the following eight languages: Cebuano, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Samoan, Tongan and Vietnamese.

Hymns to Improve Study of the Old Testament

“This is an exciting day,” said Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson. “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.”

The course of study for the Church of Jesus Christ in 2026 is the Old Testament, making these hymns a timely addition.

“We study the [Old Testament] at home, and we study it in church, and the hymns help teach the doctrine and principles of the gospel with power and clarity,” said President Johnson.

“Elijah and the Still, Small Voice” is about how the Old Testament prophet Elijah went to a mountain to seek God. While he was there, a strong wind, an earthquake and a fire passed by, but he realized God was not in any of them. After the fire, Elijah heard a “still small voice” and finally received the direction he had been seeking.

“I love this message,” said President Johnson. “The Lord communicated with [Elijah] with a still, small voice, and I know that He can do that with us, too.”

“Long Ago, Within a Garden” is inspired by a message shared by Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985. 

Elder McConkie invited individuals to deepen their understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and said, “As we read, ponder and pray, there will come into our minds a view of the three gardens of God — the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Garden of the Empty Tomb where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.”

The 23rd Psalm influenced the author of “Jesus Is My Shepherd” to write lyrics reminding all they are known and loved by the Savior Jesus Christ.

President Johnson shared the following ways to use these new hymns:

• Memorize the lyrics.
• Listen to the prerecorded songs throughout the day.
• Teach from and sing together as a family.
• Sing enthusiastically at home and church.
• Invite someone to play or sing as part of a lesson at church.

“I would encourage you to do whatever you can to incorporate these new hymns into your life,” said President Johnson.

Updates to Lyrics and Music

As part of the new hymnbook, changes have been made to some familiar hymns. Lyric changes focus on improving doctrinal clarity or replacing culturally outdated words and phrases. Music changes have also been made to make the hymns easier to sing or accompany.

“When I Am Baptized” is the first inclusion of a song with updated lyrics. It was initially released in the January issue of the “Friend,” a magazine for children published by the Church. It is now also included in the latest batch release.

“[The Book of Mormon] clearly identifies the Savior as the cleansing power through the Holy Ghost to cleanse our hearts from sin,” said Primary General President Susan H. Porter. “What a gift it is for children to know that once they are baptized, they can joyfully repent and be forgiven of their sins every day. It will be as if their sins are washed away, but that washing will come through the blessing of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”