Latter-day Hymn Stories

While in college, the spirit whispered to Sherrie Boren that she would one day write songs for the Church. Many years later, her children's song, "Holy Places," was selected for our new hymnal, "Hymns -- for Home and Church." Join our conversation with her to hear how a childhood concern planted the seed for this song, how a rigorous music review altered the message and character of the song, and how we can make our homes and hearts as holy as the temple and spread that holiness throughout the world.Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesSHOW NOTES0:00 – Podcast Intro00:08 – Episode Teaser01:17 – Love of Primary Songs02:29 – Music as a Family05:11 – Childhood Pianist Expression06:10 – Piano Performance Major07:44 – A First Christmas Hymn08:18 – An Early Impression09:50 – A First Piano Arrangement12:05 – Why So Early?13:10 – Other Selected Church Music15:03 – Writing Holy Places17:02 – The Lyric Review18:08 – The Music Review20:56 – A Lesson in Humility22:30 – Why a Temple Theme?23:44 – The Temple as a Holy Place26:00 – The Home as a Holy Place27:31 – Our Heart as a Holy Place29:34 – The Whole Earth Holy, Clean, & New31:10 – A Holy Place & A Holy People33:14 – Our Offerings Make Us Holy34:44 – It’s Time to Start Preparing36:19 – Holy Places37:04 – Podcast OutroOther Music by SherrieSee other songs written by Sherrie Boren on her website, sherrieborenmusic.com, and via the Church website links below.Abide with Me (vocal solo) - bit.ly/abidewithme_sherrieborenHow Great the Wisdom and the Love (piano solo) - bit.ly/howgreatthewisdom_sherrieborenDear to the Heart of the Shepherd (new musical setting) - bit.ly/deartotheheart_sherrieborenThe Standard of Truth (SATB choir) - bit.ly/standardoftruth_sherrieborenFollow UsYouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesInstagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstoriesWebsite: latterdayhymnstories.orgSupport UsBy purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon.Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.orgPatreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstoriesDisclaimerLatter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

We sat down with Angie Killian, songwriter of "Anytime, Anywhere," to hear the story of how her little song was unexpectedly selected for our new hymnal. Loveingly nicknamed "the nursery version of My Own Sacred Grove," she shares how her popular song about Joseph Smith's First Vision and earlier works paved the way for this bite-sized hymn, which adapts the message of praying and receiving answers to some of our youngest singers. An affiliation for the math side of music, a strong testimony of prayer, and a promise to share her music with the world, yielded in this sweet song that will surely be sung by many across the globe.Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesSHOW NOTES0:00 – Podcast Intro00:08 – Episode Trailer01:03 – A Backsplash for a Piano02:35 – Music, Math & Marriage04:52 – Postpartum Depression05:39 – Songwriting as Therapy07:07 – A Promise with Heavenly Father07:52 – I Ask in Faith09:00 – Vacation Funds for a Music Video09:52 – My Own Sacred Grove12:10 – A Jonah Moment13:39 – Inspiration vs Perseverance15:54 – A Children’s Version17:36 – The Lord’s Timing18:32 – A Little Cake First20:01 – Submitting to the Church20:34 – So Surprised22:33 – The Review Process23:04 – Writing the Song24:19 – Teaching Children to Receive Revelation27:33 – Prayer for a Private Beach30:33 – Super Special Experience31:06 – Testimony in Music32:55 – Anytime, Anywhere33:46 – Podcast OutroOther Music by AngieSee other songs written by Angie Killian on her website, angiekillian.com, or by visiting her YouTube channel at youtube.com/@angiekillianmusic.Follow UsYouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesInstagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstoriesWebsite: latterdayhymnstories.orgSupport UsBy purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon.Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.orgPatreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstoriesDisclaimerLatter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

Join our conversation with Melanie Hoffman, lyricist and songwriter of "Gethsemane," to hear the faith-filled events and personal backstory that led to the creation of a song loved by children (and grown-ups!) worldwide. Hear how her life took a turn when she married her future arranging partner, Roger Hoffman, and how a walk into the creative wilderness (led only by the spirit), an unexpected opportunity to become a songwriter, a personal journey through the Holy Land and the Garden itself, and a sincere desire to create musical works for the Lord, resulted in this simple, yet profoundly doctrinal, children's song about the Savior's Atonement.Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesSHOW NOTES00:00 – Podcast Intro00:32 – Welcome01:37 – Guitar Chords & Art03:05 – BYU & Meeting Roger05:34 – Divine Discontent06:32 – Struggling Financially07:32 – An Unexpected Opportunity09:08 – Scripture Scouts10:03 – Onward to More Projects11:35 – The Value of Courage12:51 – Depending Upon Inspiration15:04 – Stories of Jesus16:50 – Jesus Loves Me18:20 – The Bridge19:30 – The Message & Meaning20:40 – Kids Need to Know21:20 – And Grown-ups22:10 – The Holy Land23:49 – The Garden Tomb25:23 – Can I Sing Gethsemane?26:33 – Takes Off on YouTube27:38 – Published in The Friend28:40 – The Review Process30:32 – Adopted by Other Faiths32:31 – Now It's Everyone's Song33:52 – Choose to Be Chosen35:27 – Gethsemane36:44 – Podcast OutroOther Music by MelanieSee other songs written or arranged by Melanie and Roger Hoffman on their website at hoffmanhouse.comFollow UsYouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesInstagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstoriesWebsite: latterdayhymnstories.orgSupport UsBy purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon.Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.orgPatreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstoriesDisclaimerLatter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

Join our conversation with Annette Dickman, songwriter of "Bread of Life, Living Water," to hear how this 2011 church music submission became a sacrament hymn in the new hymnal by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A personal desire to understand the sacrament better and two years of consistent, dedicated work produced a unique and uplifting hymn featuring these titles of the Savior. Hear also of a couple of Annette's sacred experiences with the sacrament and how she overcame depression and perfectionism in her pursuit to follow Jesus Christ.Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesSHOW NOTES00:00 – Podcast Intro00:47 – Pioneers & Piano02:31 – Organ Lessons04:36 – 30 Songs in 30 Years07:02 – My Eternal Family08:55 – Inspiration for a Sacrament Hymn09:54 – A Hospital Room Sacrament11:42 – Emblems & Titles13:06 – Whole & Holy15:36 – Mental Wholeness18:44 – Perfectionism20:26 – The Dishwasher22:29 – A Gradual Process24:19 – The Music Review25:47 – The Lyric Review27:30 – Uplifting & Simple28:25 – Come as You Are30:55 – Watch with Me 33:02 – It Was a Gift34:02 – Greatest Hope34:50 – Bread of Life, Living Water36:01 – Podcast OutroOther Music by Annette"My Eternal Family"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/my-eternal-family?lang=eng"Repentance (Alma's Song)"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/repentance-dickman?lang=eng"Even as I Am"https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/even-as-i-am-dickman?lang=engSee other songs submitted to the Church by Annette Dickman on the Church's website at bit.ly/annettedickmanchurchmusicFollow UsYouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesInstagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstoriesWebsite: latterdayhymnstories.orgSupport UsBy purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon.Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.orgPatreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstoriesDisclaimerLatter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

Join our conversation with Lane Johnson, songwriter of "When the Savior Comes Again," to hear the inspiring story behind the song selected from 17,000 submissions to be included in the new hymnal by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Years of music study, a prophetic dream, and a lifelong prayer to use his musical talents to build the kingdom, yielded in a beautiful children's song about the Second Coming. Hear also how a poignant tragedy forever altered the composition of Lane's family and gave him added perspective and hope for the return of our Savior and future resurrection.Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesSHOW NOTES00:00 – Podcast Intro00:32 – One of 17,000 Songs01:08 – Singing Harmony at 202:41 – Music and Computers05:14 – Writing Choral Music08:07 – A Prophetic Dream10:31 – Sacrament Mtg Revelation12:03 – The Wolf and the Lamb13:45 – Reviewing the Text15:03 – I Will Rejoice16:57 – A Poignant Family Situation18:13 – You’ve Got to Take My Kids18:59 – 5 Injured Kids with 6 a Home20:34 – An Outpouring of the Spirit22:26 – Coping Through Music24:44 – Teens and Disneyland26:14 – The Joy of Growth28:01 – The Day and Hour29:01 – A Lifelong Prayer30:22 – Look Forward with Joyful Anticipation31:09 – When the Savior Comes Again32:22 – Podcast OutroOther Music by LaneSee other songs written or arranged by Lane Johnson on the Church's website at bit.ly/lanejohnsonchurchmusic or on his own website at lanejohnsonmusic.comFollow UsYouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstoriesInstagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstoriesFB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstoriesWebsite: latterdayhymnstories.orgSupport UsBy purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon.Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.orgPatreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstoriesDisclaimerLatter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.