Hymn: In Temples

by Joyce Holladay Glenn and Michael Whatcott

June 1, 2019

A new hymn, "In Temples", based on Hymn #9.

In temples let us gather now,
Our Heav'nly Father's plan to learn.
As children sent from heavn' to earth
We know He wants us to return.

With mortal bodies we are here
To learn each day to choose the right,
To love the way He loves us all,
We feel the comfort of His light.

We strive to listen and obey,
To care for others every day,
To love the way He loves us all,
To live as Jesus showed the Way.

In temples we can feel His peace,
Our Savior's and our fam'ly's love.
We gather in the temple now
And someday in our home above.

I feel that temples aren't addressed enough in our meetings and that we all can learn more, even those who aren't able to attend yet. The more temple-minded we are the more often we will attend. It's a great reminder and also not everyone fully understands how much temples and families are interconnected. Too many young people go to the temple without knowing what to expect. But there really is a great deal we can and should share with those who are preparing to go for the first time. The temple and the plan of salvation are directly related.

-Joyce Holladay Glenn

It is my hope in this hymn to have captured sing-able melody shapes and memorable harmonies. Of special harmonic interest are the "borrowed" chords (from the parallel minor key of d-minor) and a final cadence in which I avoid the standard "authentic" movement from 'Dominant' to 'Tonic' but add rhythmic augmentation to signal closure. I hope this music fosters renewed feelings of reverence and praise--in connection with Sis. Glenn's lyrics I specifically hope this music evokes renewed reverence for the temple and praise for the Savior's perfect example and our Heavenly Father's beautiful plan of salvation.

-Michael Whatcott