I’m not a very good piano player; however, somehow I’ve been roped into playing every other week in Church. So, I began this year with a desperate plan to go through the entire hymnbook, reconnecting myself with all of the hymns.

It turned out to be a wonderful experience and I might just keep going through the hymnbook throughout the year. I had no idea there were so many beautiful hymns. And I had forgotten so many old favorites that we never seem to sing anymore.

I invite all of you to do the same. Yes, I know, some of you may not play the piano, or feel you are musical in any way. That’s why the Church sells the hymns on tape. Do yourself a favor and listen to all of the hymns. And enjoy the beauty of these forgotten melodic scriptures.

Now, if you are in a leadership position, in a musical calling, or have an interest in the hymns we sing, I encourage you to make it known what you desire to sing and sing ALL of our hymns of Zion.

Just a few tidbits of information I’d like to pass on to you.

• We often call our hymns–songs, but they are more than just songs. According to the dictionary they are “to express (praises, thanks, etc.) by singing hymns”. A hymn is really a prayer set to music. As we sing, we should pay attention to the words, because they are our words, from our own grateful heart. Think of the Jaredites, who crossed the waters, “And they did sing praises unto the Lord” (Ether 6:9) while they traveled under the waters in those (more than likely) cramped, smelly, suffocating barges. Singing the hymns shows our gratitude, and keeps us grateful.
• It’s also common to tell everyone to turn to page # ___ to find the hymn when actually the pages aren’t numbered, but the hymns are.
• When Emma put the first hymnbook together there was no music. Old and new hymns assembled together like poetry on a page. The music leader would call out the name of a familiar tune so everyone would know what melody to sing the words to.
• As I went through the hymnbook, I noticed who was writing the words. Eliza R. Snow wrote many of our hymns and each one speaks the doctrine of Christ in depth. When I sing her words, my heart fills because I know that what I am singing is Truth Restored.
• President John Taylor, who had a beautiful singing voice, wrote two of our hymns, both of which I don’t think I’ve ever heard before. What a shame.
• There was once a time when the Music Chorister, in Sunday School and Relief Society, could teach us a little background about the author and composer, and how the hymn came to be written. Maybe an additional RS meeting could be scheduled so we can learn and sing several of our beloved and “rediscovered” hymns.
• We often sing As Sisters in Zion in Relief Society, which is a favorite. But do any of us know A Key Was Turned in Latter Days? May I suggest we learn this hymn before the Relief Society’s birthday, and add it to our repertoire? In fact, we don’t often sing the hymns that come after these two, which are meant for the women. In double fact, I enjoyed playing through the men’s hymns and think we women should have a shot at them occasionally. Can’t we sing Ye Sisters of Israel or Ye Who Are Called to Labor (which was written by a woman)?

I’d like to share with you some of my favorite rediscoveries.

Hymn #33  —  Emmeline B. Wells wrote this. It’s a sweet little hymn about the beauties all around us. And no, you do not have to live in Utah to sing it.

Hymn #35  —  Another hymn you can sing without being in Utah. How sad to exempt yourself from any of these beautiful hymns.

Hymn #37  —  One of the most beautiful hymns in the book. This season is the time to sing this hymn, again no matter where you live.

Hymn #38  —  You know that hymn they sing in the Joseph Smith movie? Where the girl starts singing in a shaky voice and then the rest join in? It’s right here! We can sing it too!

Hymn #49  —  This hymn was in the first hymnbook put together by Emma, and many of us have never sung it. It’s a sweet little tune with great meaning to the Latter-day Saint.

Hymn #306  — I fell in love with this little piece. So simple. So earnest. So sweet.

Hymn #335  —  Why is this in the Men’s Choir only? This is a great visual hymn that reminds us that we should be looking out for our brothers and sisters all over the world. Missionary work? Visiting teaching? It definitely applies to us sisters!

In the back of the hymnbook, on page 405, you’ll find the hymns listed by meters. It’s quite fun to sing the words to a familiar hymn to the tune of another.

The hymns are beautiful! The music is nice, but the words can melt the crust off our small cold hearts and enlarge us all. May you always remember All of the hymns of Zion. And may we always remember to praise our Lord with an assortment of all that is ours to enjoy.