In 2003, the Utah State Legislature, in H.B. 223, voted to change the state song to Utah, This is the Place. The former state song, Utah, We Love Thee, officially became the state hymn (Utah Code).

In 1996, Sam and Gary Francis wrote Utah, This is the Place for Utah’s centennial celebration. Representative Dana Love (R-Syracuse) sponsored the change at the behest of the Cook Elementary School in Syracuse. Fourth-graders from Cook Elementary wanted a song that was “more fun to sing.” See the Utah State Song for more information.

Utah, We Love Thee written by Evan Stephens for Utah’s statehood festivities and inauguration of Governor Heber Wells in 1896. S.B. 38 was sponsored by Mrs. Anthony C. Lund (Senator Cornelia Sorenson Lund). It was adopted by the State Legislature on February 17, 1937 and became effective on February 24, 1937 when it was signed into law by Governor Henry Blood.

Evan Stephens was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square) conductor from 1890 to 1916. The author builds the theme of this song about Utah’s mountains, sunny skies, State flag, pioneers, and closes by predicting that Utah will grow along the lines of wealth, peace, fame, and glory. He also stresses the great love of the people of Utah for their State. This song with words and music was published by the Deseret Sunday School Union in 1909.

Utah, We Love Thee

Land of the mountains high, Utah, we love thee!
Land of the sunny sky, Utah, we love thee!
Far in the glorious west, Throned on the mountain’s crest,
In robes of statehood dressed, Utah, we love thee!
Columbia’s newest star, Utah, we love thee!
Thy lustre shines afar, Utah, we love thee!
Bright in our banner’s blue, Among her sisters true,
She proudly comes to view, Utah, we love thee!
Land of the pioneers, Utah, we love thee!
Grow with the coming years, Utah, we love thee!
With wealth and peace in store, To fame and glory soar,
God guarded, evermore, Utah, we love thee!