This is the first official Latter-day Saint hymnal and one of three hymnals compiled by Emma Hale Smith (1804 -1879). The collection contains 90 hymns without musical notation. At least 33 are of Latter-day Saint authorship. Many of the other hymns are from the Baptist or the Campbellite tradition. Several were adapted to reflect doctrinal positions beyond traditional protestant teachings and more in harmony with the Latter-day Saint view of a restored gospel.