I have no idea where things stand with the new hymnbook, Hymns—For Home and Church, but I think it’s safe to say that the pieces I submitted were not selected. So, for fun, I thought I would share them here. Submission options included up to five texts and/or five tunes. I submitted five total (two for the texts and three for the tunes)

The first of the five texts is a sacrament hymn I wrote to go with the early American hymn tune DETROIT.

 

O God on High, We Gather Here

DETROIT

8.6.8.6

 

O God on high, we gather here

And pray with one accord

As we break bread and drink the cup

In mem’ry of our Lord.

 

Our thoughts are turned to Calvary

As we receive the bread:

He died for us upon the cross,

A crown upon his head.

 

While we lift up the cup this day,

We think how Jesus bled

When he went to Gethsemane

And for our souls he pled.

 

O God above, we thank Thee now

For sending us thy Son:

For through his suff’ring long ago

The victory was won.

 

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The second text I submitted was written while I was on my mission for a special zone conference with a visiting general authority (with lyrics based on what we were asked to study in preparation). I originally paired it with the tune Lower Lights (“Brighly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”), but when I submitted it for consideration years later, I paired it with a tune I originally wrote in high school that I’ve toyed with ever since.

 

Go, Ye Messengers of Glory

MISSIONARY HYMN, by Chad L. Nielsen

8.7.8.7 D

 

You were called by Heav’nly Father

To proclaim the Gospel plan.

Now as angels, mercy bearing,

Lead His children home again.

 

Chorus:

Go, ye messengers of glory,

Bear the gospel flame abroad.

Gather in the cov’nant people;

Bring them back unto their God.

 

Christ the Lord, our risen Savior

Told his followers of old:

Go, therefore, to teach and baptize,

Saving all within my fold.

 

Chorus

 

Abraham of old was promised

That his children should be blessed,

Then that they, with priesthood power,

Share these things with all the rest.

 

Chorus

 

Israel long ago was scattered,

But shall now be gathered home.

Righteousness and truth from heaven

Sweep them in no more to roam.

 

Chorus

 

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The third hymn I submitted was a new tune for an old text, specifically Eliza R. Snow’s “Behold the Great Redeemer Die.” I based the tune on a piano piece by Anatoly Lyadov entitled Prelude Op.11 No.1.

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The final two hymns are ones that I have already shared, since they were new tunes written for the Mexican Mission Hymns Project, specifically for the texts “¿Por qué somos?” and “Tened en Dios Confianza,” so I’ll just leave the links here. Go to the “New Music” section of each page. The “¿Por qué somos?” is actually my favorite thing that I submitted (the tune is something of a love letter to some Utah folk songs).

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So, there you have it! The five hymns I submitted to Hymns—For Home and Church. As I indicated up-front, I have heard no indication that they are interested in using them, but I had fun writing them and still wanted them to see the light of day. Plus, I think Kent told me I should share them at some point, even though that was several years ago at this point.