The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning

The hymn was sung for the dedication of Kirtland Temple, 27 March 1836. In the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Keith W. Perkins has stated that the hymn was written for this occasion. A Latter Day Saint hymnal including the hymn was published in February 1836 (though dated 1835 on the title page), and it had been sung at Latter Day Saint meetings before the Kirtland Temple was completed. The song continues to be sung throughout the various Latter Day Saint denominations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), Community of Christ, and the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is sung as part of the Hosannah Anthem, a special piece for the dedication of LDS Church temples. == Tune ==

Early printings of the hymn contain text only, although tune names were given twice in the church newspaper, the Messenger and Advocate. The January 1836 issue of the Messenger and Advocate specifies the tune American Star. On the other hand, the March 1836 issue specifies the different tune Hosanna when it was sung for the dedication service of the Kirtland Temple. At least four tunes have been associated with the hymn since it was written, including: The American Star, Hosanna, and Assembly (also known as Paraclete). While these tunes were likely familiar to many of the members of the church at the time, there is some ambiguity today as to how these tunes were sung. Karen Lynn Davidson has stated that some believe Assembly to be another name for the Hosanna tune used at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. J. C. Little and G. B. Gardner published an unofficial hymnal in 1844 in Bellows Falls, Vermont, which is the first Latter Day Saint hymnal to include any music. "The Spirit of God," is included as the very first hymn and it is set to the same tune used today—although the notes in the refrain differ slightly from modern editions, and it contained only soprano and bass instead of the four parts typical of modern editions. == Lyrics and commentary ==

The hymn was a last minute addition to the first church hymnal, Collection of Sacred Hymns published in Kirtland, Ohio, 1835 or 1836. It appears as the last song (hymn 90) and in a different typeset than the rest of the hymnal. This original version had six stanzas. In some cases the lyrics borrow words from the patriotic folk song, "The American Star." Stanza one ::The Spirit of God like a fire is burning; ::The latter day glory begins to come forth; ::The visions and blessings of old are returning; ::And angels are coming to visit the earth. The words of the first stanza capture the millennialist spirit of the early Latter Day Saint movement. Phelps supposedly wrote the words following a meeting during which the leaders of the church were overcome by the Spirit. Joseph Smith speaks of the meeting in his diary, 17 January 1836: The Lord poured out his spirit upon us and the brethren began to confess their faults one to the other. The congregation was soon overwhelmed in tears and some of our hearts were too big for utterance. The gift of tongues come upon us also like the rushing of a mighty wind and my soul was filled with the glory of God. The first words come from "The American Star" which begins, "The spirits of Washington, Warren, Montgomery" and "then goes on to praise these heroes of the Revolution who yet watch over nineteenth-century patriots." Stanza two ::''The Lord is extending the saints' understanding—'' ::Restoring their judges and all as at first; ::The knowledge and power of God are expanding ::''The vail o'er the earth is beginning to burst.'' The word "vail" is the (now archaic) spelling of "veil" as found in the original 1830 hymnal. The King James Version of the Bible uses both spellings of the word interchangeably. Stanza three ::We call in our solemn assemblies, in spirit, ::To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad, ::That we through our faith may begin to inherit ::The visions, and blessings, and glories of God. Further parallels between patriotic "American Star" and "The Spirit of God" are found in stanza three. :The patriotic song declares that "to us the high boon has been granted." Phelps elaborates on this: "We...begin to inherit the visions and blessings and glories of God." "The American Star" urges all "to spread the glad tidings of liberty far." Phelps urges the Saints "to spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad." == See also ==