CREATED BY: Mark M. Salud, Executive Secretary, Sweetwater 2nd Branch,

IDEA: Brother Salud’s idea is “Name that Hymn”. Using the same concept as the old game show “Name That Tune” they originally selected five hymns. His brother liked the idea so much that they enlarged it and used it as a successful Group Family Home Evening activity in their branch. Now the Primary President has asked Brother Salud to help her create a version she can use in Primary especially for the children.

HOW IT WORKS: They set it up on Microsoft PowerPoint but Brother Salud also has a written version. They rules follow those of the game show. Players try to underbid their opponent by naming a hymn using the fewest notes.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The branch had 15 people show up and all participated.

SET UP: Brother Salud asked one of the members to volunteer as the piano player and then explained the rules. To help demonstrate, he asked the full-time missionaries to be the first contestants. So that everyone had a chance, he randomly selected members to participate.

HOW THEY SELECTED THE HYMNS: Hymn selection was based on what they knew would be the most recognizable ones. “For example, we knew that everyone knew Count Your Blessings, Put Your Shoulder To The Wheel, and The Spirit of God, so what we did was come up with clues that will help them "name that hymn" in 10 notes or less. We selected 15 of those hymns.

HOW THEY DEVELOPED THE CLUES: “We looked at the hymns themselves to see if either the sound of the hymns or words from the chorus could help them name that hymn." There are also books available which give some of the history or story behind the LDS hymns. You may even be able to adapt clues to be more personal. For example, if using this game for FHE you may be able to say, “This is Dad’s favorite hymn” or “Sister sang this song in Sacrament meeting last year”, etc.

TIME NEEDED: The activity lasted for about 30 minutes and “the response was very positive. They thought it was a great game and they told me I should consider expanding it by adding more hymns.”

SPECIAL ADAPTIONS: To add fun to the game or if you do not have enough participants, try Brother Salud’s score card:
15 points for getting them all right.
10 points for getting half of them right.
3 points for getting some of them right.
0 points for getting them all wrong.
200 points if you sing the hymns in their entirety (without a hymn book).

SMILE MOMENT: “By the way,” Brother Salud writes, “our Branch President is so smart he can name many of the hymns in one note!”

CLUES YOU CAN USE:
“Praise to the Man”
This hymn was written by William W. Phelps.
The music sounds closely like a Scottish folk tune
In the chorus the last part goes, “Death cannot conquer the hero again.”

“Come, Come Ye Saints”
This hymn was written by William Clayton.
The song is based on an old English folk song.
The most well-known line for this song is, “All Is Well.”

“Count Your Blessings”
This song was written by Edwin O. Excell.
Many other churches sing this hymn.
At the end of the song it says, “See what God hath done.”

“Ye Elders of Israel”
The music was written by Thomas A. Bayly.
The text of the song was written by Cyrus H. Wheelock.
Basically, this hymn was written for a men’s chorus.
The chorus begins with, “O Babylon, O Babylon, We bid thee farewell.”

“Israel, Israel, God I Calling”
The text of this hymn was written by Richard Smyth.
The music was originally created by Charles C. Converse.
Other churches sing this song but in a country-music style.
This is sung to the tune of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.

“Who’s On The Lord’s Side?”
The text was written by Hannah Last Cornaby.
The music is by Henry H. Russell.
Upon singing this song, it sounds like an old sailor’s song.
Part of the chorus includes, “now is the time to show, we ask it fearlessly…”

“Put Your Shoulder To The Wheel”
The text and music were written by Will S. Thompson.
A song like this you can march to.
It begins with “The world has need of willing men…”

“Called To Serve”
This hymn was written by Grace Gordon and the music by Walter G. Tyler.
The song has a nice marching beat.
It is probably a favorite hymn among our full-time and member missionaries.

“The Spirit Of God”
This is another hymn by William W. Phelps.
According to history, this was included in the first LDS hymn book.
This was sung at the Kirtland Temple Dedication in 1836.
One of the verses mentions the lamb and the lion lying down together without any ire.

“The Star-Spangled Banner”
The song was written by Francis Scott Key.
It was originally a poem.
In 1931 it became our National Anthem.

“Redeemer of Israel”
This is another hymn by William W. Phelps.
The hymn has six verses.
This was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.
Contained in the first verse: “our shadow by day, and our pillar by night”.

“Nearer My God To Thee”
This is a hymn by Sarah F. Adams.
This hymn is well-known by other churches.
A line includes “E’en Though it be a cross that raiseth me”.

“Behold, A Royal Army!”
This song was written by Fanny J. Crosby.
You might want to march to this particular hymn, if you are tempted to.
The chorus includes: “Victory, victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“The Lord Is My Shepherd”
This was created by Thomas Koshat.
This hymn is based on scripture in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 26:3-4.
The words are actually found in Psalms 23.

“Come Ye Children Of The Lord.”
This hymn was created by James H. Wallis.
The melody is based on a Spanish melody.
There is mention that the earth will be cleansed from inquity.
A line proclaims: “Let us sing with one accord”.