Latter-day Hymn Stories

Alaina Larsen
  • 5.0 (10)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

A podcast where we explore the stories behind our inspired sacred music to refresh, rekindle, and restore your faith.

Episodes

  1. "Holy Places" with Sherrie Boren: Where Heaven Touches Earth (Ep 5)

    09/02/2025

    "Holy Places" with Sherrie Boren: Where Heaven Touches Earth (Ep 5)

    While in college, the spirit whispered to Sherrie Boren that she would one day write songs for the Church. Many years later, her children's song, "Holy Places," was selected for our new hymnal, "Hymns -- for Home and Church." Join our conversation with her to hear how a childhood concern planted the seed for this song, how a rigorous music review altered the message and character of the song, and how we can make our homes and hearts as holy as the temple and spread that holiness throughout the world. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories SHOW NOTES 0:00 – Podcast Intro 00:08 – Episode Teaser 01:17 – Love of Primary Songs 02:29 – Music as a Family 05:11 – Childhood Pianist Expression 06:10 – Piano Performance Major 07:44 – A First Christmas Hymn 08:18 – An Early Impression 09:50 – A First Piano Arrangement 12:05 – Why So Early? 13:10 – Other Selected Church Music 15:03 – Writing Holy Places 17:02 – The Lyric Review 18:08 – The Music Review 20:56 – A Lesson in Humility 22:30 – Why a Temple Theme? 23:44 – The Temple as a Holy Place 26:00 – The Home as a Holy Place 27:31 – Our Heart as a Holy Place 29:34 – The Whole Earth Holy, Clean, & New 31:10 – A Holy Place & A Holy People 33:14 – Our Offerings Make Us Holy 34:44 – It’s Time to Start Preparing 36:19 – Holy Places 37:04 – Podcast Outro Other Music by Sherrie See other songs written by Sherrie Boren on her website, sherrieborenmusic.com, and via the Church website links below. Abide with Me (vocal solo) - bit.ly/abidewithme_sherrieboren How Great the Wisdom and the Love (piano solo) - bit.ly/howgreatthewisdom_sherrieboren Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd (new musical setting) - bit.ly/deartotheheart_sherrieboren The Standard of Truth (SATB choir) - bit.ly/standardoftruth_sherrieboren Follow Us YouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories Instagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstories Facebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstories FB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstories Website: latterdayhymnstories.org Support Us By purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon. Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.org Patreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstories Disclaimer Latter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

    38 min
  2. "Anytime, Anywhere" with Angie Killian: He Hears My Prayers (Ep 4)

    06/21/2025

    "Anytime, Anywhere" with Angie Killian: He Hears My Prayers (Ep 4)

    We sat down with Angie Killian, songwriter of "Anytime, Anywhere," to hear the story of how her little song was unexpectedly selected for our new hymnal. Loveingly nicknamed "the nursery version of My Own Sacred Grove," she shares how her popular song about Joseph Smith's First Vision and earlier works paved the way for this bite-sized hymn, which adapts the message of praying and receiving answers to some of our youngest singers. An affiliation for the math side of music, a strong testimony of prayer, and a promise to share her music with the world, yielded in this sweet song that will surely be sung by many across the globe. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories SHOW NOTES 0:00 – Podcast Intro 00:08 – Episode Trailer 01:03 – A Backsplash for a Piano 02:35 – Music, Math & Marriage 04:52 – Postpartum Depression 05:39 – Songwriting as Therapy 07:07 – A Promise with Heavenly Father 07:52 – I Ask in Faith 09:00 – Vacation Funds for a Music Video 09:52 – My Own Sacred Grove 12:10 – A Jonah Moment 13:39 – Inspiration vs Perseverance 15:54 – A Children’s Version 17:36 – The Lord’s Timing 18:32 – A Little Cake First 20:01 – Submitting to the Church 20:34 – So Surprised 22:33 – The Review Process 23:04 – Writing the Song 24:19 – Teaching Children to Receive Revelation 27:33 – Prayer for a Private Beach 30:33 – Super Special Experience 31:06 – Testimony in Music 32:55 – Anytime, Anywhere 33:46 – Podcast Outro Other Music by Angie See other songs written by Angie Killian on her website, angiekillian.com, or by visiting her YouTube channel at youtube.com/@angiekillianmusic. Follow Us YouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories Instagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstories Facebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstories FB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstories Website: latterdayhymnstories.org Support Us By purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon. Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.org Patreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstories Disclaimer Latter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

    34 min
  3. "Gethsemane" with Melanie Hoffman: Jesus Loves Me (Ep 3)

    12/11/2024

    "Gethsemane" with Melanie Hoffman: Jesus Loves Me (Ep 3)

    Join our conversation with Melanie Hoffman, lyricist and songwriter of "Gethsemane," to hear the faith-filled events and personal backstory that led to the creation of a song loved by children (and grown-ups!) worldwide. Hear how her life took a turn when she married her future arranging partner, Roger Hoffman, and how a walk into the creative wilderness (led only by the spirit), an unexpected opportunity to become a songwriter, a personal journey through the Holy Land and the Garden itself, and a sincere desire to create musical works for the Lord, resulted in this simple, yet profoundly doctrinal, children's song about the Savior's Atonement. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories SHOW NOTES 00:00 – Podcast Intro 00:32 – Welcome 01:37 – Guitar Chords & Art 03:05 – BYU & Meeting Roger 05:34 – Divine Discontent 06:32 – Struggling Financially 07:32 – An Unexpected Opportunity 09:08 – Scripture Scouts 10:03 – Onward to More Projects 11:35 – The Value of Courage 12:51 – Depending Upon Inspiration 15:04 – Stories of Jesus 16:50 – Jesus Loves Me 18:20 – The Bridge 19:30 – The Message & Meaning 20:40 – Kids Need to Know 21:20 – And Grown-ups 22:10 – The Holy Land 23:49 – The Garden Tomb 25:23 – Can I Sing Gethsemane? 26:33 – Takes Off on YouTube 27:38 – Published in The Friend 28:40 – The Review Process 30:32 – Adopted by Other Faiths 32:31 – Now It's Everyone's Song 33:52 – Choose to Be Chosen 35:27 – Gethsemane 36:44 – Podcast Outro Other Music by Melanie See other songs written or arranged by Melanie and Roger Hoffman on their website at hoffmanhouse.com Follow Us YouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories Instagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstories Facebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstories FB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstories Website: latterdayhymnstories.org Support Us By purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon. Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.org Patreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstories Disclaimer Latter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

    37 min
  4. "Bread of Life, Living Water" with Annette Dickman: Make Me Whole & Holy (Ep 2)

    09/25/2024

    "Bread of Life, Living Water" with Annette Dickman: Make Me Whole & Holy (Ep 2)

    Join our conversation with Annette Dickman, songwriter of "Bread of Life, Living Water," to hear how this 2011 church music submission became a sacrament hymn in the new hymnal by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A personal desire to understand the sacrament better and two years of consistent, dedicated work produced a unique and uplifting hymn featuring these titles of the Savior. Hear also of a couple of Annette's sacred experiences with the sacrament and how she overcame depression and perfectionism in her pursuit to follow Jesus Christ. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories SHOW NOTES 00:00 – Podcast Intro 00:47 – Pioneers & Piano 02:31 – Organ Lessons 04:36 – 30 Songs in 30 Years 07:02 – My Eternal Family 08:55 – Inspiration for a Sacrament Hymn 09:54 – A Hospital Room Sacrament 11:42 – Emblems & Titles 13:06 – Whole & Holy 15:36 – Mental Wholeness 18:44 – Perfectionism 20:26 – The Dishwasher 22:29 – A Gradual Process 24:19 – The Music Review 25:47 – The Lyric Review 27:30 – Uplifting & Simple 28:25 – Come as You Are 30:55 – Watch with Me  33:02 – It Was a Gift 34:02 – Greatest Hope 34:50 – Bread of Life, Living Water 36:01 – Podcast Outro Other Music by Annette "My Eternal Family" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/my-eternal-family?lang=eng "Repentance (Alma's Song)" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/repentance-dickman?lang=eng "Even as I Am" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/even-as-i-am-dickman?lang=eng See other songs submitted to the Church by Annette Dickman on the Church's website at bit.ly/annettedickmanchurchmusic Follow Us YouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories Instagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstories Facebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstories FB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstories Website: latterdayhymnstories.org Support Us By purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon. Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.org Patreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstories Disclaimer Latter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

    36 min
  5. "When the Savior Comes Again" with Lane Johnson: A Joyful Day (Ep 1)

    08/11/2024

    "When the Savior Comes Again" with Lane Johnson: A Joyful Day (Ep 1)

    Join our conversation with Lane Johnson, songwriter of "When the Savior Comes Again," to hear the inspiring story behind the song selected from 17,000 submissions to be included in the new hymnal by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Years of music study, a prophetic dream, and a lifelong prayer to use his musical talents to build the kingdom, yielded in a beautiful children's song about the Second Coming. Hear also how a poignant tragedy forever altered the composition of Lane's family and gave him added perspective and hope for the return of our Savior and future resurrection. Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories SHOW NOTES 00:00 – Podcast Intro 00:32 – One of 17,000 Songs 01:08 – Singing Harmony at 2 02:41 – Music and Computers 05:14 – Writing Choral Music 08:07 – A Prophetic Dream 10:31 – Sacrament Mtg Revelation 12:03 – The Wolf and the Lamb 13:45 – Reviewing the Text 15:03 – I Will Rejoice 16:57 – A Poignant Family Situation 18:13 – You’ve Got to Take My Kids 18:59 – 5 Injured Kids with 6 a Home 20:34 – An Outpouring of the Spirit 22:26 – Coping Through Music 24:44 – Teens and Disneyland 26:14 – The Joy of Growth 28:01 – The Day and Hour 29:01 – A Lifelong Prayer 30:22 – Look Forward with Joyful Anticipation 31:09 – When the Savior Comes Again 32:22 – Podcast Outro Other Music by Lane See other songs written or arranged by Lane Johnson on the Church's website at bit.ly/lanejohnsonchurchmusic or on his own website at lanejohnsonmusic.com Follow Us YouTube: youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories Instagram: instagram.com/latterdayhymnstories Facebook: facebook.com/latterdayhymnstories FB Group: facebook.com/group/latterdayhymnstories Website: latterdayhymnstories.org Support Us By purchasing our merch and joining our monthly membership on Patreon. Merch Shop: latterdayhymnstories.org Patreon: patreon.com/latterdayhymnstories Disclaimer Latter-day Hymn Stories is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views, opinions, and thoughts of our host and guests are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.

    33 min
  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

A podcast where we explore the stories behind our inspired sacred music to refresh, rekindle, and restore your faith.

Information

  • Creator
    Alaina Larsen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Latter-day Hymn Stories
  • Show Website
    Latter-day Hymn Stories