Come, Hear the Word the Lord Has Spoken
#1031 Hymns—For Home and ChurchLyrics
The Story Behind “Come, Hear the Word the Lord Has Spoken”
A Dutch organist's 1992 hymn of modern revelation — the earliest hymn brought into the English hymnbook from one of the Church's international hymnals.
A Hymn from Holland
Frans Heijdemann (1952–2015) spent his life in service of Latter-day Saint music and words in the Netherlands. An accomplished organist, conductor, and translator, he worked for years in Church publishing — editing the Dutch edition of the Liahona and contributing to the Dutch hymnbook and children's songbook published in the 1990s.
In 1992 he wrote 'Luister naar het woord des Heren' — 'Listen to the Word of the Lord' — for the Church's Dutch hymnal, where it became No. 16 and stayed through every edition since. The Church's hymn resource says of him: 'For him music was a natural means of expressing faith, praising the Lord, and uniting people of different religions.'
The Word the Lord Has Spoken
The hymn is a celebration of something the Restoration claims boldly: that the heavens are open again. Its verses rejoice in living prophets, modern revelation, Christ's redeeming power, and the promised day when He will 'gather together in one all things' — the word of the Lord not as a relic, but as news.
Heijdemann died in 2015, a decade before his hymn's biggest journey. He never knew it would leave Dutch.
The First to Cross Over
On February 13, 2025, 'Come, Hear the Word the Lord Has Spoken' was released as hymn #1031 — the earliest hymn brought into the English Hymns—For Home and Church from one of the Church's international hymnbooks. Others followed from Sweden, Mexico, Tonga, and Germany, but the Dutch hymn crossed first.
For a hymnbook whose stated dream is one collection for the whole world, it was a fitting pioneer: a song about hearing the Lord's voice, arriving in a language its writer never sang it in.
Did You Know?
- This was the earliest hymn brought into the English hymnbook from one of the Church's international hymnals — Dutch Saints sang it for 33 years first.
- Frans Heijdemann was the editor of the Dutch edition of the Liahona and helped produce the Church's Dutch hymnbook and children's songbook.
- The original title, 'Luister naar het woord des Heren,' means 'Listen to the Word of the Lord.'
- Heijdemann died in 2015 — he never knew his hymn would be translated for the whole Church.
- The Netherlands has been part of Latter-day Saint history since 1861, and The Hague Temple was dedicated in 2002.
Scripture Connections
- Doctrine and Covenants 1:1–2, 11–12 — 'Hearken, O ye people' — the voice of the Lord to all people, the hymn's opening summons.
- Doctrine and Covenants 84:99–102 — A revealed song of redemption — the Lord's word set singing.
- Ephesians 1:10 — God will 'gather together in one all things in Christ' — the promise the hymn rejoices toward.
Talk About It
Questions to spark a conversation with your family or Primary class:
- The hymn celebrates that God still speaks today. What has a living prophet said recently that mattered to you?
- Frans Heijdemann served quietly — translating, editing, playing the organ. How do quiet talents build the kingdom?
- This hymn crossed from Dutch into English. Why do you think the Church wants one hymnbook for the whole world?
- What helps you really listen when the word of the Lord is being spoken?
Teaching Resources
Categories
Attribution
Music by: Frans Heijdemann, 1992; alt. | LUISTER NAAR HET WOORD DES HEREN
Text by: Frans Heijdemann, 1992; English transl. 2025
Audio files from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints