Lift Up Your Voice

Boys and girls in Primary all over the world do lift up their voices in song. But many of them do not know that just three months after the organization of the Church, the Lord revealed His feeling about singing to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

In a revelation given at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1830, the Lord directed the Prophet’s wife Emma to make a selection of sacred hymns. He said: “… it shall be given thee, [Emma] … to make a selection of sacred hymns, … which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church (D&C 25:11).”

Emma was obedient in fulfilling the Lord’s will and accomplished this great task. A selection of sacred hymns was compiled into the first Latter-day Saint hymnbook published two years later in 1832. Other editions of the hymnbook have been published since then, and in many languages for Latter-day Saints around the world.

All through the scriptures references are made to “singing praises” to God. It pleases Him when we lift up our voices in song. He tells us: “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads (D&C 25:12).”