The 1844 Bellows Falls hymnal: Its significance in early Latter-Day Saint hymnody and an historical survey of its sources

This study of early American hymnody in general, and Latter-Day Saint hymnody specifically, is focused on three main concerns: (a) An historical survey of the Bellows Falls hymnal, its compilers, the tunes, composers and authors, and the significant role they played in early Mormon hymnody, (b) Four-part editions of all forty-eight of the hymns included in The Bellows Falls hymnal to be incorporated in present worship services, and (c) descriptions and listings of where these hymns are available in arrangements specifically for church choirs.;It is also hoped that promulgation of these hymns as sources of literature for church choirs will also be enhanced.;The Bellows Falls hymnal was the first Latter-Day Saint hymnal published with printed tunes. All of the tunes were borrowed from tune books and hymnals of the period. The hymn texts comprise both hymns borrowed from other sources, and many by Latter-Day Saint authors. These hymns and tunes can enhance and uplift any Christian worship service.;It is hoped that this study will provide a source of Mormon and interdenominational Christian hymns that have fallen into obscurity to be used in present worship services.