Music Grading - LDS Hymn Book

One piano, 341 songs--a surprising number of which I am unfamiliar with even though I have been LDS my whole life--several hours of spare time and voila: another list of music graded by relative difficulty! These songs are from the 1985 official LDS hymnal. As always, this is a subjective list and not intended to be the final word.

LDS Hymns often follow very formulaic patterns. Some of the challenges associated with playing hymns include the fact that they are almost always written in four parts and include many difficult or impossible left-hand intervals (since they are written for organ, not piano). Many songs on the list below can be made much easier simply by eliminating a few of the more challenging notes.

EASIEST
3 - Now Let Us Rejoice
6 - Redeemer of Israel
14 - Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings
19 - We Thank Thee, O God, for  Prophet
33 - Our Mountain Home So Dear
34 - O Ye Mountains High
38 - Come, All Ye Saints of Zion
44 - Beautiful Zion, Built Above
59 - Come, O Thou King of Kings
67 - Glory to God on High
84 - Faith of Our Fathers
98 - I Need Thee Every Hour
109 - The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare
116 - Come, Follow Me
117 - Come unto Jesus
137 - Testimony
141 - Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
142 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
144 - Secret Prayer
145 - Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
152 - God Be with You Till We Meet Again
153 - Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part
156 - Sing We Now at Parting
167 - Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn
180 - Father in Heaven, We Do Believe
195 - How Great the Wisdom and the Love
196 - Jesus, Once of Humble Birth
204 - Silent Night
234 - Jesus, Mighty King in Zion
237 - Do What Is Right
239 - Choose the Right
247 - We Love Thy House, O God
258 - O Thou Rock of Our Salvation
294 - Love at Home
302 - I Know My Father Lives
303 - Keep the Commandments
304 - Teach Me to Walk in the Light
306 - God's Daily Care

MODERATELY EASY
4 - Truth Eternal
7 - Israel. Israel, God is Calling
16 - What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold
20 - God of Power, God of Right
21 - Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice
23 - We Ever Pray for Thee
26 - Joseph Smith's First Prayer
28 - Saints, Behold How Great Jehovah
29 - A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
30 - Come, Come, Ye Saints
31 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past
36 - They, the Builders of the Nation
39 - O Saints of Zion
41 - Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise
42 - Zion Stands with Hills Surrounded
45 - Lead Me into Life Eternal
47 - We Will Sing of Zion
49 - Adam-ondi-Ahman
50 - Come, Thou Glorious Day of Promise
52 - The Day Dawn Is Breaking
53 - Let Earth's Inhabitants Rejoice
55 - Lo, the Mighty God Appearing!
57 - We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord
58 - Come, Ye Children of the Lord

60 - Battle Hymn of the Republic

61 - Raise Your Voices to the Lord

65 - Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth

75 - In Hymns of Praise

76 - God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee

77 - Great Is the Lord

80 - God of Our Fathers, Known of Old

85 - How Firm a Foundation

87 - God Is Love

92 - For the Beauty of the Earth

96 - Dearest Children, God Is Near You

99 - Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee

102 - Jesus, Lover of My Soul

106 - God Speed the Right

107 - Lord, Accept Our True Devotion

115 - Come, Ye Disconsolate

119 - Come, We That Love the Lord

123 - Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee

125 - How Gentle God's Commands

128 - When Faith Endures

133 - Father in Heaven

139 - In Fasting We Approach Thee
140 - Did You Think to Pray?
143 - Let the Holy Spirit Guide
147 - Sweet Is the Work
150 - O Thou Kind and Gracious Father
165 - Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide
171 - With Humble Heart
173 - While of These Emblems We Partake
176 - 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
182 - We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name
184 - Upon the Cross of Calvary
187 - God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son
188 - Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done
199 - He Is Risen!
201 - Joy to the World
206 - Away in a Manger
210 - With Wondering Awe
211 - While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
217 - Come, Let Us Anew
220 - Lord, I Would Follow Thee
221 - Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd
224 - I Have Work Enough to Do
225 - We Are Marching On to Glory
241 - Count Your Blessings
245 - This House We Dedicate to Thee
250 - We Are All Enlisted
261 - Thy Servants Are Prepared
266 - The Time Is Far Spent
268 - Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted
270 - I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go
273 - Truth Reflects upon Our Senses
278 - Thanks for the Sabbath School
282 - We Meet Again in Sabbath School
283 - The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone
285 - God Moves in a Mysterious Way
286 - Oh, What Songs of the Heart
289 - Holy Temples on Mount Zion
292 - O My Father
296 - Our Father, by Whose Name
299 - Children of Our Heavenly Father
301 - I Am a Child of God
307 - In Our Lovely Deseret
308 - Love One Another
309 - As Sisters in Zion (Women)
314 - How Gentle God's Commands (Women)
315 - Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Women)
316 - The Lord Is My Shepherd (Women)
319 - Ye Elders of Israel (Men)
322 - Come, All Ye Sons of God (Men)
339 - My Country, 'Tis of Thee
341 - God Save the King

MODERATELY DIFFICULT
1 - The Morning Breaks
5 - High on the Mountain Top
8 - Awake and Arise
9 - Come, Rejoice
10 - Come, Sing to the Lord
15 - I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly
17 - Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!
18 - The Voice of God Again Is Heard
22 - We Listen to a Prophet's Voice
24 - God Bless Our Prophet Dear
27 - Praise to the Man
35 - For the Strength of the Hills
40 - Arise, O Glorious Zion
42 - Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad Morning!
46 - Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
48 - Glorious Things Are Sung of Zion
51 - Sons of Michael, He Approaches
54 - Behold, the Mountain of the Lord
63 - Great King of Heaven
64 - On This Day of Joy and Gladness
66 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!
69 - All Glory, Laud, and Honor
70 - Sing Praise to Him
72 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
73 - Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice
74 - Praise Ye the Lord
78 - God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
79 - With All the Power of Heart and Tongue
81 - Press Forward, Saints
83 - Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah
86 - How Great Thou Art
89 - The Lord Is My Light
90 - From All That Dwell below the Skies
93 - Prayer of Thanksgiving
94 - Come, Ye Thankful People
95 - Now Thank We All Our God
100 - Nearer, My God, to Thee
103 - Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer
104 - Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
108 - The Lord Is My Shepherd
111 - Rock of Ages
113 - Our Savior's Love
124 - Be Still, My Soul
127 - Does the Journey Seem Long?
129 - Where Can I Turn for Peace?
131 - More Holiness Give Me
132 - God Is in His Holy Temple
134 - I Believe in Christ
135 - My Redeemer Lives
136 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives
146 - Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
149 - As the Dew from Heaven Distilling
151 - We Meet, Dear Lord
157 - Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls
158 - Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head
161 - The Lord Be with Us
162 - Lord, We Come before Thee Now
163 - Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
164 - Great God, to Thee My Evening Song
166 - Abide with Me!
169 - As Now We Take the Sacrament
170 - God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray
172 - In Humility, Our Savior
174 - While of These Emblems We Partake
175 - O God, the Eternal Father
177 - 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
178 - O Lord of Hosts
179 - Again, Our Dear Redeeming Lord
181 - Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King
183 - In Remembrance of Thy Suffering
185 - Reverently and Meekly Now
186 - Again We Meet around the Board
190 - In Memory of the Crucified
191 - Behold the Great Redeemer Die
192 - He Died! The Great Redeemer Died
193 - I Stand All Amazed
194 - There Is a Green Hill Far Away
198 - That Easter Morn
202 - Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
203 - Angels We Have Heard on High
205 - Once in Royal David's City
207 - It Came upon the Midnight Clear
208 - O Little Town of Bethlehem
209 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
213 - The First Noel
216 - We Are Sowing
218 - We Give Thee But Thine Own
219 - Because I Have Been Given Much
222 - Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord
226 - Improve the Shining Moments
227 - There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today
228 - You Can Make the Pathway Bright
229 - Today, While the Sun Shines
230 - Scatter Sunshine
231 - Father, Cheer Our Souls Tonight
232 - Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words
233 - Nay, Speak No Ill
235 - Should You Feel Inclined to Censure
236 - Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom
238 - Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord
240 - Know This, That Every Soul Is Free
242 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
244 - Come Along, Come Along
246 - Onward, Christian Soldiers
248 - Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion
252 - Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
253 - Like Ten Thousand Legions Marching
257 - Rejoice! A Glorious Sound Is Heard
259 - Hope of Israel
260 - Who's on the Lord's Side?
263 - Go Forth with Faith

264 - Hark, All Ye Nations!

265 - Arise, O God, and Shine

267 - How Wondrous and Great

269 - Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth

272 - Oh Say, What Is Truth?

274 - The Iron Rod

279 - Thy Holy Word

280 - Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning

281 - Help Me Teach with Inspiration

287 - Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter

288 - How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord

290 - Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days

291 - Turn Your Hearts

293 - Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

295 - O Love That Glorifies the Son
297 - From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise
300 - Families Can Be Together Forever
305 - The Light Divine

311 - We Meet Again As Sisters (Women)
312 - We Ever Pray for Thee (Women)
313 - God Is Love (Women)
317 - Sweet Is the Work (Women)
318 - Love at Home (Women)
320 - The Priesthood of Our Lord (Men)
321 - Ye Who Are Called to Labor (Men)
324 - Rise Up, O Men of God (Men)
338 - America the Beautiful

MORE DIFFICULT
2 - The Spirit of God
11 - What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
12 - 'Twas Witnessed in the Morning Sky
13 - An Angel from on High
25 - Now We'll Sing with One Accord
32 - The Happy Day at Last Has Come
37 - The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close
56 - Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning
68 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
71 - With Songs of Praise
88 - Great God, Attend While Zion Sings
91 - Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Raise
97 - Lead, Kindly Light
101 - Guide Me to Thee
105 - Master, the Tempest Is Raging
110 - Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord
112 - Savior, Redeemer of My Soul
114 - Come unto Him
118 - Ye Simple Souls Who Stray
122 - Though Deepening Trials
126 - How Long, O Lord Most Holy and True
130 - Be Thou Humble
138 - Bless Our Fast, We Pray
148 - Sabbath Day
154 - Father, This Hour Has Been One of Joy
155 - We Have Partaken of Thy Love
159 - Now the Day is Over
160 - Softly Now the Light of Day
189 - O Thou, Before the World Began
212 - Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
214 - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
215 - Ring Out, Wild Bells
223 - Have I Done Any Good?
243 - Let Us All Press On
251 - Behold! A Royal Army
255 - Carry On
256 - As Zion's Youth in Latter Days
262 - Go, Ye Messengers of Glory
271 - Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love
275 - Men Are That They Might Have Joy
276 - Come Away to the Sunday School
277 - As I Search the Holy Scriptures
284 - If You Could Hie to Kolob
298 - Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth
310 - A Key Was Turned in Latter Days (Women)
340 - The Star-Spangled Banner

MOST DIFFICULT
62 - All Creatures of Our God and King
82 - For All the Saints
120 - Lean on My Ample Arm
121 - I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a Stranger
168 - As the Shadows Fall
197 - O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
200 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
249 - Called to Serve
254 - True to the Faith
323 - Rise Up, O Men of God (Men's Choir)
325 - See the Mighty Priesthood Gathered (Men's Choir)
236 - Come, Come, Ye Saints (Men's Choir)
372 - Go, Ye Messengers of Heaven (Men's Choir)
328 - An Angel from on High (Men's Choir)
329 - Thy Servants Are Prepared (Men's Choir)
330 - See, the Mighty Angel Flying (Men's Choir)
331 - Oh Say, What is Truth? (Men's Choir)
332 - Come, O Thou King of Kings (Men's Choir)
333 - High on the Mountain Top (Men's Choir)
334 - I Need Thee Every Hour (Men's Choir)
335 - Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy (Men's Choir)
336 - School Thy Feelings (Men's Choir)
337 - O Home Beloved (Men's Choir)