What is the shortest hymn in the LDS hymn book?

Answer 1

Probably #160, Softly Now the Light of Day. The music is only two lines and there is only one verse, which reads:

"Softly now the light of day Fades upon my sight away.

Free from care, from labor free, Lord, I would commune with thee."

Or #242, Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I timed them based on the time signature and tempo and they are the exact same length. Lyrics are:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him a creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

Hymn 136 Love One Another is also pretty short, although it's a bit longer than the other two it's still very short with the hymn stating

As I have loved you, Love one another.

This new commandment: Love one another.

By this shall men know Ye are my disciples,

If ye have love One to another.

Answer 2

There are many very short songs in the Children's Songbook (the official book used in LDS Primaries). The shortest is one line with one verse - "For Health and Strength" on page 21. The words are "For health and strength and daily food we praise thy name oh Lord."

Here are those short songs with only two or three lines of music and only one or two verses:

Two lines, one verse:

A song of Thanks (pg 20)

For Thy bounteous blessings (pg 21)

A prayer song (pg 22)

Father up above (pg 23)

Heavenly Father, while I pray (pg 23)

Reverence (pg 27)

I want to be reverent (pg 28)

I will try to be reverent (pg 28)

This is God's house (pg 30)

Our chapel is a sacred place (pg 30)

Jesus said love everyone (pg 61)

Listen, Listen (pg 107)

A special gift is kindness (pg 145)

Kindness begins with me (pg 145)

Remember the Sabbath Day (pg 155)

I pledge myself to love the right (pg 161)

Dearest Mother, I love you (pg 206)

The Oxcart (pg 219)

Rain is falling all around (pg 241)

Falling snow (pg 248)

Sing a song (pg 253)

Fun to do (pg 253)

Hello Friends (pg 253)

Our door is always open (pg 253)

A smile is like the sunshine (pg 267)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (pg 275)

To get quiet (pg 275)

youve had a birthday (pg 285)

Three lines, one verse:

Father we thank Thee for the night (pg 8)

If with all your hearts (pg 15)

I need my Heavenly Father (pg 18)

Stand for the right (pg 159)

I am like a star (pg 163)

Come with me to primary (pg 255)

Here we are together (pg 261)

I wiggle (pg 271)

Hinges (pg 277)

happy happy birthday (pg 284)

Two lines, two verses:

We bow our heads (pg 25)

I love to pray (pg 25)

Heavenly Father, Now I pray (pg 19)

A prayer (pg 22)

We are reverent (pg 27)

Little Jesus (pg 39)

Shepherd's Carol (pg 40)

Little lambs so white and fair (pg 58)

Jesus is our loving friend (pg 58)

Jesus loved the little children (pg 59)

Help us, O God, to understand (pg 73)

The Golden Plates (pg 86)

I'm glad to pay a tithing (pg 150)

I want to give the Lord my tenth (pg 150)

I am glad for many things (pg 151)

Go the second mile (pg 167)

A happy helper (pg 197)

A happy family (pg 198)

When we're helping (pg 198)

God is watching over all (pg 229)

The world is so lovely (pg 233)

Springtime is coming (pg 238)

Birds in the tree (pg 241)

Little seeds lie fast asleep (pg 243)

It's Autumntime (pg 246)

Smiles (pg 267)

Oh how we love to stand (pg 279)

(there are also several more with two or three lines of music but more verses, although you could choose to sing only one verse. Also, the Articles of Faith songs were not included in this list, although many are only two or three lines.)