About William W. Phelps
William Wines Phelps (1792–1872) was a foundational figure, printer, newspaper editor, and hymn writer in the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement. Born on February 17, 1792, in Hanover, New Jersey, Phelps initially pursued a career in politics and journalism in New York, where he edited an anti-Masonic newspaper. After discovering the Book of Mormon, he traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831, where he met Joseph Smith and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Phelps was quickly appointed as the church printer, a role in which he set up the first Latter-day Saint printing press in Independence, Missouri. He edited the church's first periodical, The Evening and the Morning Star, and was tasked with printing the Book of Commandments. Throughout his life, he remained deeply involved in the community's westward migrations, ultimately serving as a prominent lawmaker, judge, and scribe in Utah. He passed away in Salt Lake City on March 7, 1872.
Lyrical Focus and Thematic Legacy
Phelps holds a monumental place in restoration hymnology. Joseph Smith specifically requested that Phelps assist Emma Smith in compiling the church's first official hymnal in 1835. Because the young movement lacked its own musical tradition, Phelps adapted many popular Protestant melodies and lyrics, rewriting them to reflect unique Latter-day Saint theology.
His original texts are defined by an intense eschatological focus, celebrating the restoration of ancient authority, the building of Zion, the gathering of Israel, and the impending second coming of Christ. His writing was bold, triumphant, and distinctively millennial, providing a dramatic musical identity for a heavily persecuted people.
Summary of Core Hymnological Contributions
| Hymn Title / Common Incipit | Primary Liturgical and Thematic Focus | Historical and Cultural Impact |
| The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning | The restoration of truth, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and temple worship. | Sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in 1836; remains an essential anthem for every LDS temple dedication today. |
| Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah | A powerful eulogy for the martyred prophet Joseph Smith, focusing on his legacy and the afterlife. | Written shortly after Smith's death in 1844; set to the traditional Scottish tune "Scotland the Brave" and sung globally. |
| Redeemer of Israel, our only delight | Divine protection, the gathering of the saints, and deliverance from affliction. | Adapted from a text by Joseph Swain; it became a defining pioneer marching song during the trek across the American plains. |
| If You Could Hie to Kolob | Eternal progression, the endless nature of time and space, and cosmic theology. | One of the most doctrinally unique hymns in the restoration catalog, exploring the vastness of God's creation. |
| O God, the Eternal Father, Who Dwells Amid the Sky | A reverent sacramental hymn focused on the atonement of Jesus Christ. | A foundational piece utilized weekly during congregational communion (sacrament) services. |
An Enduring Voice of the Restoration
William W. Phelps succeeded in giving a voice to a new religious movement during its most fragile and turbulent decades. By capturing complex theological revelations in verse, he helped unify an early faith community across multiple continents. Translated widely into Spanish, Portuguese, and other global tongues, his sweeping anthems of restoration and eternal progression continue to shape the worship and cultural identity of millions of Latter-day Saints today.
