The Church released eight more songs for "Hymns for Home and Church" on Thursday, including the Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision," the Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and a new temple hymn by Mack Wilberg and David Warner, "How I Love the House of God." That brings the total to 90, now in the Gospel Library in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. The Church also unveiled the hymnbook's cover; printing is underway for publication in late 2027 (Church Newsroom).
A statement on the Great Salt Lake. The Church encouraged members to take personal steps to conserve water and to join friends of other faiths in prayer and fasting for relief from drought. It listed its own efforts, including a $3 million gift in 2026 for the state's phragmites control and nearly 30,000 acre-feet of water donated or leased to the lake (Church Newsroom).
Children lead the music. The October 2026 General Handbook update lets wards and stakes hold children's devotionals. Valiant-age children (8-11) can plan and conduct, lead the music, play, sing, give talks and bear testimony. In Spokane, Washington, four children each spoke about a Primary song, then a ward Primary sang it (Church News).
Game day in Provo. No. 8 BYU (6-1) hosts Arizona State (4-3) on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1:30 p.m. MT at LaVell Edwards Stadium, on FOX (BYU Athletics). After last week's double-overtime loss at UCF, coach Kalani Sitake said, "We need better technique" (Deseret News).
"Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end."
— The First Presidency, preface to Hymns (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Oct. 30, 1838: Militiamen attacked the Latter-day Saint settlement at Hawn's Mill, Missouri, killing 17 Saints (Church History Topics). Amanda Barnes Smith lost her husband and a son. Praying in a cornfield for her wounded son Alma, she heard a voice recite the seventh verse of "How Firm a Foundation," and Alma made a full recovery (Church History Topics). That verse ends, "I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" (Hymns, no. 85).
In July 1830 the Lord called Emma Smith "to make a selection of sacred hymns," and explained why: "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 25:11–12). The Church's first hymnal, with hymns selected by Emma, came out in 1835, at a time when hymnals were rarely compiled by women (Church History Topics).
Reflect: Which hymn has been a prayer for you?
The first temple on the African continent, dedicated Aug. 24, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the First Presidency. Before then, South African Saints had to travel to England or the United States to attend the temple (official temple page, Church Newsroom, Africa South Area).
Yesterday's answer: Seven days. In 2018, President Russell M. Nelson invited youth to "disengage from a constant reliance on social media by holding a seven-day fast from social media" (Hope of Israel).
Today’s question: About how many hymns and children's songs are planned for the printed edition of "Hymns for Home and Church"?
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Which new hymn are you most excited to sing?
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