Inspired Wisdom

Eliza R. Snow — Divine Inspiration in Poetry and Hymn Composition ('O My Father', 1845)

Published March 25, 2026 at 7:29 PM

1840s · 1845
Nauvoo, Illinois
Todd Morgan

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Todd Morgan

Beaumont, CA, 92223

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Eliza R. Snow composed over 100 poems and hymn texts that she and others regarded as divinely inspired expressions of theological truth. Her best-known composition, the hymn ‘O My Father’ (1845), testifies of God the Father and Mother in Heaven; other notable works cited include “How Great the Wisdom and the Love” and “In Our Lovely Deseret.” Snow produced numerous compositions for literary and musical organizations such as the Polysophical Society and the Deseret Literary and Musical Assembly, and her poems and hymns were published in Mormon newspapers and periodicals. These writings are presented as evidence that she received spiritual manifestations and divine inspiration enabling her to articulate eternal principles and profound theological insights.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in O My Father - Wikipedia):

"O My Father" (originally "My Father in Heaven", also "Invocation, or The Eternal Father and Mother") is a Latter-day Saint hymn written by Eliza R. Snow, who felt inspired to write the lyrics after Joseph Smith had taught her the principle of heavenly parents. Snow wrote "O My Father" as a poem under the title "My Father in Heaven" in October 1845 in the home of Stephen Markham in Nauvoo, Illinois. The Times and Seasons first published the words on 15 November 1845, more than a year after Smith was killed.

Sources & References

Eliza R. Snow Poetry Collection and Hymn Texts Eliza R. Snow Poetry Collection and Hymns Fuller account: O My Father - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_My_Father

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