A description of the hymnal on the Christie's Web site states, "In response to a revelation to Joseph Smith in July 1830, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879) was enjoined to compile a collection of hymns for the use of the new church."

It continues: "W.W. Phelps was delegated to correct and print her anthology, but the project was delayed while the Book of Commandments (1833) was prepared and printed. Then, before that work was completed, a mob destroyed the Independence, Missouri, printing office (20 July 1833). Once a new press had been acquired Phelps was then occupied with the issuance of the Doctrine and Covenants (Kirtland, 1835). Finally in the fall of 1835 Phelps was able to devote his attention to the editing and printing of the hymnal.

"According to one scholar ... 33 of the 90 hymns are of Mormon authorship: 26 are attributed to W.W. Phelps, 3 to Parley B. Pratt, 1 to Thomas P. Marsh and Pratt, and 1 each to Liza R. Snow, Edward Partridge and Philo Dibble. The remaining 57 hymns were adapted and partially rewritten versions of hymns in general use by the Baptists and the Campbellites, including 17 by Isaac Watts. Forty-two had been printed in one of several Mormon periodicals," the Web site stated.

The book's preface is unsigned but is believed to have been written by Phelps. It states: "In order to sing by the Spirit, and with the understanding, it is necessary that The Church of the Latter Day Saints should have a collection of 'Sacred Hymns,' adapted to their faith and belief in the gospel. .. Notwithstanding the church, as it were, is still in its infancy, yet, as the song of the righteous is a prayer unto God, it is sincerely hoped that the following collection ... may answer every purpose till more are composed, or till we are blessed with a copious variety of the songs of Zion."

The verses of the hymnal are numbered and are arranged by subject — "Morning Hymns," "Farewell Hymns," "Evening Hymns," "On Baptism," "On Sacrament," and so on.

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