#312 "We Ever Pray for Thee"

This hymn was discussed when Hymn #23 was played back on January 23rd.  Hymn #312 is a women's arrangement that I remember singing years ago as part of a trio.  I like this women's arrangement when it is sung a capella.  It makes a lovely musical setting for a special trio for sacrament meeting or a Relief Society meeting.

#311 "We Meet Again As Sisters"

When I read the information about this hymn in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, I found some interesting information.  Bonnie Goodliffe, a Tabernacle Choir organist, said that she wrote this hymn to have an interesting alto part (since she is an alto).  In the third line, the melody goes to the altos!  (Since I am an alto, too, I appreciate that.)  It was also noted that this hymn could be sung to the tune  "St. Theodulph", which is Hymn #69 "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" in the 1985 hymnal.  The two different hymn tunes make for either a powerful message or a devotional message.  It would be fun to try the tune change.  Also, the composer writes that the left-hand part is strictly an accompaniment and was not intended to be sung.  This is just a two-part women's hymn.

#310 "A Key Was Turned in Latter Days"

This hymn about the Relief Society is new to the 1985 hymnal.  The tune was not easy for me and it isn't very "catchy".  That may be the reason it isn't sung much in Relief Society.  It isn't my favorite.

#309 "As Sisters in Zion"

This song was a welcome addition to the 1985 hymnal.  This is such a perfect hymn for Relief Society.  When I read about the history of the hymn, I was surprised to find out the text was written in 1874.  Janice Kapp Perry wrote the music while waiting for her tour bus to be repaired.  It is a favorite of the sisters of Relief Society.  I like the simple tune and the text.

#308 "Love One Another"

This is a great hymn.  I remember learning a choir version of it years ago in the old Monterey Park Ward.  "There they were in the upper chamber, Jesus and his disciples.  There to eat the supper of the passover e'er the end should come.  Then Jesus looked in their faces and unto them He spake..." and then it would go into the chorus, which ends up being the hymn we have in the 1985 hymnal.
This hymn is also included in the current Children's Songbook along with the American Sign Language signs for the text.
This is a favorite of the congregation, the choir, and the primary children.  It is already a classic!

#307 "In Our Lovely Deseret"

I remember teaching this to the primary children for a sacrament meeting program years ago.  However, I don't remember singing it in my youth.  It has a catchy rhythm and tune.  When the 1985 edition of the hymnbook came out, the congregation in the Baldy Mesa Branch learned this, too.  I was the Ward Music Director at the time and back then we had some time during the opening exercises of Sunday School for "Worship Through Music" and that's when I first remember learning it. 

#306 "God's Daily Care"

This hymn is another Primary Children's song that isn't sung too often.  I like the simpleness of the words and the melody line.  It is unusual because, rather than talking about the setting of the sun and the end of the day, it talks about the rising sun.  This would be a nice one to sing with a children's choir.  It is also good to have available on those days when you know you will need a short opening or closing hymn.