W. W. Phelps: The Voice of the Early Restoration

The Man Who Helped the Saints Find Their Song

If Isaac Watts gave the early Saints words that connected them to the wider Christian world, William Wines Phelps helped give the Restoration its own voice.

Few individuals shaped early Latter-day Saint hymnody more profoundly than W. W. Phelps. He wasn't merely a hymn writer. He was a newspaper editor, printer, publisher, poet, teacher, and devoted servant of the Restoration. His pen helped preserve revelations, proclaim doctrine, and inspire a people who believed God was once again speaking from heaven. Many of the hymns Emma Smith selected for the 1835 hymnal came from that remarkable pen.

A Gift for Words

Phelps had an unusual ability to express profound spiritual truths in language that ordinary believers could sing.

His hymns celebrated the Restoration.

The gathering of Israel.

The building of Zion.

The Book of Mormon.

Missionary work.

The Second Coming.

The joy of the Gospel.

While many earlier Christian hymns looked backward to Christ's earthly ministry, Phelps often looked forward—to the promises God was unfolding in his own day.

More Than a Hymn Writer

One of the things I've come to appreciate during this project is that Phelps was much more than a songwriter.

He printed revelations.

Published newspapers.

Defended the Church during difficult years.

Helped preserve historical records that might otherwise have been lost.

His fingerprints are everywhere in early Restoration history.

Without realizing it, many of us have benefited from his work countless times.

Songs That Still Unite Christians

Some of his best-known hymns continue to be sung nearly two centuries later.

"The Spirit of God"

"Praise to the Man"

"Redeemer of Israel"

"Now Let Us Rejoice"

"If You Could Hie to Kolob"

Many have become woven into the worship traditions of generations of believers.

Others, found in Emma's original hymnal, deserve to be rediscovered today.

That has been one of the greatest joys of restoring this collection.

Why Emma Chose Phelps

Emma wasn't simply collecting good poetry. She needed hymns that reflected the unfolding Restoration. Phelps provided them.

His hymns taught doctrine.

Encouraged faith.

Strengthened courage.

Helped a young church understand who they were becoming.

His words gave voice to a people discovering their divine calling.

A Restoration Still Singing

One of the things I appreciate most about Phelps is that he wrote with hope.

Even in times of persecution and uncertainty, his hymns looked beyond present trials toward God's promises. That hopeful spirit continues to resonate today. Whatever our circumstances, the invitation remains the same:

Trust the Lord.

Build Zion.

Lift your voice.

Sing with joy.

Why This Matters

As we restored the Emma Smith Hymnal, I found myself appreciating Phelps in a new way.

He wasn't writing merely for his own generation.

He was writing for ours as well.

His hymns remind us that sacred music can teach, strengthen, encourage, and unite believers across centuries.

That is a remarkable legacy.

Editor's Discovery

One of the unexpected blessings of this project has been discovering that W. W. Phelps wasn't simply documenting the Restoration—he was helping shape its voice. Through his hymns, generations of Christians have learned not only what the early Saints believed, but what they hoped for, rejoiced in, and looked forward to.

Continue the Journey

Next time, we'll meet another remarkable contributor to Emma Smith's hymnbook—Parley P. Pratt—and discover how one missionary-poet helped teach the Restoration through song.