Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

First line: Oh, how lovely was the morning / O how lovely was the morning! / Oh, how lovely was the morning! Radiant beamed / Oh, how lovely was the morning! Radiant beamed the sun

Original language: English

Words: George Manwaring
Music: Sylvanus Billings Pond

Lyrics
Statistics
Tunes

English

This song has been indexed in 105 languages:

About the text author

George Manwaring

Song arrangements

Find sheet music and arrangements for this song via the BYU library.

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer
Hymns (1985, 2002 ed.), 26

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!Radiant beamed the sun above.Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,Music ringing thru the grove,When within the shady woodlandJoseph sought the God of love,When within the shady woodlandJoseph sought the God of love.
2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—’Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer—When the pow’rs of sin assailingFilled his soul with deep despair;But undaunted, still he trustedIn his Heav’nly Father’s care,But undaunted, still he trustedIn his Heav’nly Father’s care.
3. Suddenly a light descended,Brighter far than noonday sun,And a shining, glorious pillarO’er him fell, around him shone,While appeared two heav’nly beings,God the Father and the Son,While appeared two heav’nly beings,God the Father and the Son.
4. “Joseph, this is my Beloved;Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,And he listened to the Lord.Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,For he saw the living God,Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,For he saw the living God.

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

X:26 Q:1/4=92 M:4/4 L:1/8 K:Bb D3/2E/ | F2 F2 F2 B2 | B2 A4 A3/2B/ | c2 c2 c2 e2 | (e2 d4) yy

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns (1985, 2002 ed.), 26

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Selected Hymns (1989, 1989 ed.), 5

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns Made Easy (1990, 2012 ed.), no. 10

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns: Simplified Accompaniments (1986, 1986 ed.), no. 19

Arr.: Darwin Wolford

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Manual-Only Hymns for Organ (2010, 2010 ed.), 6

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Transformations (2010, 2010 ed.), 2b

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2018

Arr.: Shelley Hannig

Contributor: Shelley Hannig

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Sing-Along Videos (2011–Present), Jan 2017

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults , 2

Artist: Ogden Institute Choir; Alan T. Saunders (director); Edward Poston (piano)

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults , 1

Artist: Congregation; Stephanie Morgan (conductor); Richard Clinger (organ)

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults , 1

Artist: Congregation; Reagan Gabbitas (conductor); Bonnie Goodliffe (organ)

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from Face to Face for Young Adults , 3

Artist: Jonathan Meyers; Savannah Porter; CJ Madsen (piano); Karen Ferry (violin); Charles Ferry (cello)

Arr.: Kendra Lowe

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from the Friend (1971–Present), May 1973

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Arr.: Margaret C. Richards

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (Simplified)

Music from the Friend (1971–Present), Jan 2017

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (April 2008)

Music from April 2020 General Conference (2020, 2020-04 ed.), 5

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 2016 General Conference (2016, 2016-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Missionaries from the Provo MTC

Arr.: James C. Kasen

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2008 General Conference (2008, 2008-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 2007 General Conference (2007, 2007-10 ed.), 2

Artist: Young Women choir

Arr.: James C. Kasen

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 2005 General Conference (2005, 2005-10 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Mack Wilberg

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2005 General Conference (2005, 2005-04 ed.), 3

Artist: Young Women choir

Arr.: James C. Kasen

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2005 General Conference (2005, 2005-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Mack Wilberg

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2004 General Conference (2004, 2004-04 ed.), 3

Artist: Young Women choir

Arr.: James C. Kasen

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Principles of the Gospel (2003) (2003, 2014 ed.), no. 284

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2003 General Conference (2003, 2003-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Mack Wilberg

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Principles of the Gospel (2003) (2003, 2003 ed.), no. 288

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2002 General Conference (2002, 2002-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Mack Wilberg

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 2001 General Conference (2001, 2001-04 ed.), 3

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1997 General Conference (1997, 1997-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Combined Institute choir

Arr.: J. Spencer Cornwall

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1996 General Conference (1996, 1996-04 ed.), 5

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1994 General Conference (1994, 1994-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Relief Society choir

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 1993 General Conference (1993, 1993-10 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Gospel Fundamentals (1992, 2002 ed.), no. 222

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 1992 General Conference (1992, 1992-10 ed.), 2

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1991 General Conference (1991, 1991-04 ed.), 1

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 1989 General Conference (1989, 1989-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Polynesian Choir from the Salt Lake Valley

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1989 General Conference (1989, 1989-04 ed.), 4

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1987 General Conference (1987, 1987-04 ed.), 5

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from October 1986 General Conference (1986, 1986-10 ed.), 3

Artist: Murray Region Family Choir

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns (1985, 1998 ed.), 26

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from April 1985 General Conference (1985, 1985-04 ed.), 5

Artist: Primary choir; Clark Utterback (solo); Clay Christiansen (organ); Susan Kenney (director)

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns (1985, 1985 ed.), 26

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from October 1984 General Conference (1984, 1984-10 ed.), 6

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from October 1980 General Conference (1980, 1980-10 ed.), 7

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

O How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from April 1980 General Conference (1980, 1980-04 ed.), 1

Artist: Relief Society choir

Arr.: Darwin Wolford

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Hymns and Children’s Songs (1978, 2004 ed.), no. 14

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Gospel Principles (1978, 1997 ed.), no. 322

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Gospel Principles (1978, 1979 ed.), no. 239

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns and Children’s Songs (1978, 1978 ed.), no. 12

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Gospel Principles (1978, 1978 ed.), no. 304

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from October 1977 General Conference (1977, 1977-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Young Women choir

Oh, How Lovely Was The Morning

Music from April 1976 General Conference (1976, 1976-04 ed.), 1

Artist: Primary choir

O How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from October 1975 General Conference (1975, 1975-10 ed.), 4

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

O How Lovely Was The Morning

Music from April 1975 General Conference (1975, 1975-04 ed.), 5

Artist: Primary choir

O How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from October 1974 General Conference (1974, 1974-10 ed.), 3

Artist: Choir from Ricks College

O How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from April 1973 General Conference (1973, 1973-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Ogden Institute of Religion Combined Choruses

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Music from April 1973 General Conference (1973, 1973-04 ed.), 1

Artist: Aaronic Priesthood choir

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns: Simplified Accompaniments (1972, 1976 ed.), no. 89

Oh How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from April 1972 General Conference (1972, 1972-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Oh How Lovely Was the Morning

Music from April 1971 General Conference (1971, 1971-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Favorite Seminary Songs (1961, 1965 ed.), no. 26a

Oh, How Lovely was the Morning

The Children Sing (1951, 1951 ed.), 46

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 136

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns (1948, 1961-b ed.), 136

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns (1948, 1960-a ed.), 136

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Hymns (1948, 1950 ed.), 136

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning (Joseph Smith’s First Prayer)

Hymns (1948, 1948 ed.), 136

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Aaronic Priesthood Choruses (1945, 1945 ed.), no. 112

Arr.: N. Lorenzo Mitchell

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Relief Society Songs (1940, 1940-a ed.), no. 34

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (Transposed)

Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1930 ed.), 30

Arr.: B. Cecil Gates

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (Transposed)

Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1927 ed.), 30

Arr.: B. Cecil Gates

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (Transposed)

Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1923 ed.), 30

Arr.: B. Cecil Gates

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (Transposed)

Relief Society Song Book (1919, 1919 ed.), 30

Arr.: B. Cecil Gates

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1937 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Songs (Selections) (1909, 1909 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1909 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Songs of Zion (1908, 1925 ed.), 41

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Songs of Zion (1908, 1920 ed.), 41

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Songs of Zion (1908, 1918 ed.), 41

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Songs of Zion (1908, 1912 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Songs of Zion (1908, 1908 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1908 ed.), no. 114

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1907 ed.), no. 114

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1906 ed.), no. 114

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1905-b ed.), no. 114

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1894 ed.), no. 114

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Union Music Book (1884, 1888 ed.), no. 87

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Union Music Book (1884, 1884-b ed.), no. 87

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Deseret Sunday School Union Music Book (1884, 1884-a ed.), no. 87

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Children’s Primary Tune Book (1880, 1880 ed.), no. 27

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

A Selection from the Songs of Zion (, 1953 ed.), 10

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

A Selection from the Songs of Zion (, 1935 ed.), 41

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

2021 Church Music Festival (2021, 2021 ed.), 7

Artist: Utah Valley Institute Singers; Ryan Eggett (director); Unknown (piano)

X:292 Q:1/4=56 M:3/4 L:1/8 K:G (3(DG)A | B2 B2 (3(BA)G | A2 A2 (3(DF)A | c3 c (3(cB)A | B4 yy

X:28218 Q:1/4=180 M:9/8 L:1/8 K:Ab EA B | c6/2 c6/2 cB A | B6/2 B6/2 EG B | d6/2-d2 d dc B | c6/2-c6/2 yy

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2018

Arr.: Beth Emmers

Contributor: Beth Emmers

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2012

Arr.: Tami N. Petersen

Contributor: Tami N. Petersen

Other Restoration-Based Denominations

In the Grove

Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984, 2008 ed.), 216

Adapt.: Clarice Hanson

Other Restoration-Based Denominations

In the Grove

Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984, 1998 ed.), 196

Other Restoration-Based Denominations

In the Grove

Hymns of the Restoration (Restoration Hymn Society) (1984, 1984 ed.), 196

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899, 1909 ed.), 12

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899, 1899 ed.), 12

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Young Women Camp Manual (1992, 2002 ed.), no. 78a

Adapt.: A. C. Smyth

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

Songs and Hymns for Latter-day Saints (1980, 1980 ed.), 10

Unofficial or Local Publications

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Favorite Seminary Songs (O. C. Tanner) (1950, 1950 ed.), 31

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1908 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1906 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1903 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1901 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1899 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1897 ed.), 96

Joseph Smith’s first prayer

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1896 ed.), 96

Oh how lovely was the morning!

Hymns and Sacred Songs for Children (1888, 1888 ed.), 47

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1893 ed.), no. 71

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1888 ed.), no. 71

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1880 ed.), no. 71

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

Lyrics (Return to top)

Statistics (Return to top)

Tunes that have appeared with this song in English

Appearances of this song over time in English

Tune: Divinity (by Sylvanus Billings Pond) (Return to top) Tune 26

Tune: Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (by Rachel P. Mohlman) (Return to top) Tune 8031

Tune: My Redeemer / Admonition (by James McGranahan) (Return to top) Tune 292

Tune: Nettleton (by John Wyeth) (Return to top) Tune 727

Tune: In the Grove (by Silas J Vail) (Return to top) Tune 6945

[undetermined] (Return to top)

Text only (Return to top)