Those of you who know me well, know that I’m not the best at tooting my own horn. But every once in awhile something happens and I just can’t keep it inside! I hope you will indulge me for a minute…
Just a week ago today, I saw the realization of one of my lifelong dreams—I found out the my hymn “Welcome Home” was going to be included in the new hymnal that our church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—is publishing the end of 2026.
To begin familiarizing the worldwide Church membership with the new hymns, they have begun digitally releasing them in small batches every few months. My hymn was selected for last Thursday’s release and is one of only 37 that has gone out to the Church so far. It has already been translated into several languages.
In the summer of 2018 the call went out from the Church for new music and I went to work. I submitted 10 hymns/songs for consideration by the deadline of June 2019. I knew this would be the last opportunity in my lifetime, since the last hymnal was published in 1986. There were over 17,000 submissions from musicians from all over the world. It took years for the various hymn committees to review and consider them all.
To be among those that have been selected is completely overwhelming!
As I was growing up, and as we raised our own children, the hymns of the Church were always core to my faith. This music taught me, it healed me, and it brought me closer to Jesus. To think that my music might now be an instrument to do the same for others, is so very humbling.
I’m feeling very grateful. In fact, sometimes, just out of the blue, I’m overcome with emotion and I shed a joyful tear or two.
I’m so thankful for music and the gift it has been in my life.
