The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has added twelve new hymns to its “Hymns for Home and Church” collection, emphasizing Old Testament stories and teachings. These latest additions aim to support members in their ongoing study of the Old Testament, which is a focus of the church’s current curriculum.
The newly released hymns are now available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Songs like “When I Am Baptized”—featuring updated lyrics to better reflect teachings about Jesus Christ and his atonement—are among the collection. Other titles include “Joyfully Bound,” “My Covenants,” “The Power of the Holy Ghost,” “Elijah and the Still, Small Voice,” “Jesus Is My Shepherd,” “My Song in the Night,” “This Is My Father’s World,” “Build an Ark,” “Love Will Bless Our Home,” “Lord, Accept Our Humble Fast,” and “Long Ago, Within a Garden.”
Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson expressed enthusiasm for the new hymns, stating that the music helps teach gospel doctrines with power and clarity both in homes and church settings. Johnson encouraged church members to incorporate the songs into their daily lives by singing, memorizing lyrics, and listening to recordings. He also suggested using hymns as teaching tools and sharing them during lessons and meetings.
Several songs draw directly from Old Testament scriptures, such as “Jesus Is My Shepherd,” inspired by Psalm 23, and “Elijah and the Still, Small Voice,” which recounts how the prophet Elijah received divine guidance. The church notes that these hymns can deepen understanding during both church meetings and personal study. Updated lyrics, such as those in “When I Am Baptized,” are intended to clarify doctrine and remove outdated language.
The release also marks expansions in other languages. Alongside the twelve new songs, eleven hymns were issued in German, Korean, and Tagalog. For the first time, thirteen additional hymns are available in languages such as Cebuano, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Samoan, Tongan, and Vietnamese. Church leaders say these incremental additions will help families and congregations learn the music in preparation for a comprehensive new hymnbook expected in the coming years.
