Episode #161
The Untold History of Latter-day Saint Hymns with Michael Hicks | 161
Acclaimed musicologist, composer, and author Dr. Michael Hicks served on the BYU faculty for 35 years, retiring as Professor Emeritus of Music. In our conversation, we delve into the rich and often surprising history of Latter-day Saint hymnody, looking at everything from the earliest frontier gatherings to the forthcoming global hymnbook. Michael shares how early Saints truly experienced music in their worship, shedding light on the untold stories behind iconic hymns, the shifts across different church hymnals, and the musical tastes of church leaders. We also dive into the oral practice of “lining out” hymns, the stark divide between Emma Smith’s personal, grace-centered hymn selections and the Apostles’ second-coming anthems, and the peculiar tale of how President Spencer W. Kimball’s personal record collection made its way across the Atlantic. Some highlights from this episode include: The Lost Art of “Lining Out”: How early Latter-day Saints sang without hymnals or printed musical notation, relying on an oral, line-by-line call-and-response tradition that mirrors modern campfires and concerts. Emma Smith vs. The British Apostles: The dramatic divergence in early LDS hymnody—how Emma Smith favored deeply personal hymns centered on grace, individual redemption, and grief (including "Amazing Grace"), while the Apostles in Manchester compiled bold, millenarian songs of triumph and Zion. Joseph Smith's Real Musical Favorites: Debunking the popular myth that "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" was Joseph Smith’s personal favorite song, and revealing why four out of his five most requested tunes were melancholy soldier ballads about the grief and regret of war. Gospel Hymnody & "Pub Songs": How 19th-century revivalist music, jaunty 3:1 rhythms, and slow harmonic changes reshaped Latter-day Saint worship—and why British and Welsh members initially dismissed these upbeat tunes as mere "pub songs." The "Alleged" New Hymnbook: Michael's insider perspective on the monumental process of revising the Church's hymnbook, the tension between British Anglican choral aspirations and eclectic multilingual expansion, and what really happens behind closed doors when committee selections are presented to the Quorum of the Twelve. President Kimball’s Secret Record Collection: The funny and heartwarming story of how Michael acquired Spencer W. Kimball's personal vinyl and 78 RPM record collection—complete with the prophet's red-inked initials over his son's name—and ended up handwriting a certificate of authenticity on a fast-food receipt for two shocked British shoppers at Deseret Industries. Resources Mentioned: • Website: Visit Michael Hicks’ official site for his full catalogue of music, articles, and scholarly work: https://michaelhicks.org • Book (Print/eBook): "Spencer Kimball's Record Collection: Essays on Mormon Music" by Michael Hicks (Signature Books): https://www.signaturebooks.com/books/p/spencer-kimballs-record-collection • Audiobook: "Spencer Kimball's Record Collection" (Audible Edition, narrated by Michael Hicks): https://www.audible.com/pd/Spencer-Kimballs-Record-Collection-Audiobook/B08N6WX14P • Scholarly Article: "What Hymns Early Mormons Sang and How They Sang Them" by Michael Hicks (BYU Studies): https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/what-hymns-early-mormons-sang-and-how-they-sang-them Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith.
