How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord
288
Text: Frank I. Kooyman (1880–1963; LDS)
Music: Tracy Y. Cannon (1879–1961; LDS)
Tune name: JUDITH
One of the most beautiful and comforting doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that of the redemption of the dead. Those who die without the privilege of hearing the gospel message in this life will be able to receive it in the hereafter. This hymn gives thanks for temples and temple work, through which we may make these blessings available to those who have departed.
J. Spencer Cornwall quoted Frank I. Kooyman’s account of his writing of this hymn:
“When in 1945 the Church Music Committee sent out a call to songwriters for additional sacred songs to be included in a contemplated new hymnbook, this hymn was one of the several written in response to that appeal. From the laboratory of his old- world experience the author could bring forth nothing pertaining to the work for the dead. It was a brand- new principle to him, appealing strongly to the devotional side of his nature. A spiritual experience of his paternal grandfather which he heard from his mother’s lips after he embraced the restored gospel also impressed him deeply. The grandfather, at one time, in vision— as father Lehi calls an inspired dream- experience (1 Nephi 8:2)—found himself in the spirit-world in front of what seemed to be the gates of heaven. Many were entering, and [my] sincere grandfather (who had conscientiously lived according to the light granted him) was about to enter also when somebody held him back, placing a hand on his shoulder: ‘No, Kooyman, you cannot go in yet; something has to be done first.’ Greatly surprised, he woke up and for the balance of his earthly life wondered what it was that ‘had to be done first.’ The Rev. Polman, his dominie [pastor], too, was puzzled. ‘Why, my good friend, you are one of the best sheep of my flock,’ he exclaimed. ‘If you cannot go to the green pastures of heaven, what will become of the rest of us!’” (in Stories of Our Mormon Hymns, 77).
Temple work is the “something that must be done.” Grandfather Kooyman and other righteous men and women who have gone before will receive a full measure of blessings because of men and women upon the earth who perform temple ordinances in their behalf.
The tune name, JUDITH, honors the daughter of composer Tracy Y. Cannon.