Pianist/composer Garth Smith follows up his beautiful debut album “Sacred Hymns” with “How Beautiful Thy Temples: Sacred Hymns Volume II.” The new music features lovely piano arrangements of temple-themed hymns such as “I Love to See the Temple” and “Families Can Be Together Forever,” along with Christ-centered classics such as “Abide With Me; ‘Tis Eventide” and “There is a Green Hill Far Away.”
Smith strikes a nice balance between skillful arrangements and drawing attention to the sacred music more than his own talents; by this I mean he honors the hymns instead of turning into an overwrought personal showcase. I recently attended the Payson, UT temple open house; this album brought back to me those feelings I experienced in the temple. It’s the perfect music to set the tone around your home on the Sabbath or to invite the Spirit more fully into your life day-to-day. I highly recommend it.
For more about Garth Smith, please like his Facebook page. It is available to purchase in LDS retail stores such as Deseret Book, BYU bookstores, and more.
Jonathan Decker is a licensed marriage and family therapist available for face-to-face and online webcam sessions. He’s also a film critic for KJZZ-TV Mormons at the Megaplex, and Movie Dad. His book, 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families, is available in paperback and Kindle.
