There's something about music that takes the gospel and sinks it into our hearts and our minds in a way that it cannot be forgotten.

Sacred music teaches the gospel in a way that's not threatening it is easy to understand

many of us as we're learning and growing in the gospel have our a little wall around our hearts

to protect us sacred music has a way of finding the cracks in the walls we build around our hearts and seeping through

and touching our hearts and bringing us along. In church, it's the way we open a meeting or the way

we close a meeting. It's a way to connect with the divine. It's a way for me to bring an offering

to the Lord and the Lord will be pleased, and he will

answer with a blessing upon my head.

Music is not filler, it's worship.

This is Mary Richards, reporter at the Church News.

Welcome to the Church News podcast. Today we are taking you on a journey

of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One year ago, the first batch of new hymns was released for a new hymn book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hymns for home and church is for members to use as part of their worship and gospel study.

These songs can be found on the church's website, the sacred music app, and the gospel library app.

Since May 2024, 37 new hymns have been released in English, Spanish,

Portuguese, and French, with translations coming in phases in several other languages.

The church's hymn book committee chair, Steve Shank, joins this episode of the Church News

podcast to talk about this sacred ongoing project. Welcome, Steve, to the

Church News podcast. Thank you. It's a pleasure to be with you. What is it like to share the

hymn book committee? And what is your assignment entail? It's such a privilege to work with some of the

most talented and inspired and inspiring individuals that I've ever met. I think that the most important

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