What Was Witnessed in the Heavens
First line: What was witnessed in the heavens? / What was witnessed in the heavens? Why, an angel / What was witness’d in the heavens? / What was witness’d in the heaven?
Original language: English
Words: John S. Davis
Music: Evan Stephens
Lyrics (Return to top)
What was witnessed in the heavens?
Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal)
(1840, 1912 ed.),
30
1. What was witnessed in the heavens?Why, an angel earthward bound.Had he something with him bringing?Yes—the Gospel—joyful sound!It was to be preached in powerOn the earth, the angel said,To all men, all tongues and nationsThat upon its face are spread.
2. Had we not before the Gospel?Yes—had several taught by men.Then what is this latter Gospel?’Tis the first one come again.This was preached by Paul and Peter,And by Jesus Christ, the Head;This we latter Saints are preaching—We their footsteps wish to tread.
3. Where so long has been the Gospel?Did it pass from earth away?Yes; ’twas taken back to heaven,Till should dawn a brighter day.What became of those departed,Knowing not the Gospel plan?In the spirit world they’ll hear it;God is just to every man.
Statistics (Return to top)
These charts show the use of this song in English hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If a song appears in multiple editions of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once. [undetermined] means that tune information has not yet been entered in.
Tunes that have appeared with this song in English
Appearances of this song over time in English
Tune: Joyful Sound (by Evan Stephens) (Return to top) Tune 11
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1930 ed.), 55
Arr.: B. Cecil Gates
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1927 ed.), 55
Arr.: B. Cecil Gates
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1923 ed.), 55
Arr.: B. Cecil Gates
Tune: Erie / Converse (by Charles C. Converse) (Return to top) Tune 7
Unofficial or Local Publications
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens
Tune: In Babilone (by Dutch melody) (Return to top) Tune 48
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984, 2008 ed.), 206
[undetermined] (Return to top)
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed In The Heavens?
Zion’s Hymnal (Church of Christ, Temple Lot) (1975, 2013 ed.), 96
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984, 1998 ed.), 198
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984), 198
Other Restoration-Based Denominations
What Was Witnessed In The Heavens?
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899, 1909 ed.), 56
Arr.: Evan Stephens
What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899), 56
Arr.: Evan Stephens
