Richard Leighton Evans
1906–1971 · USA · Modern
Richard Leighton Evans (1906-1971) was an American religious writer, composer, and speaker who made significant contributions to hymnody through his affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He authored numerous hymns and religious compositions that transcended denominational boundaries, earning recognition for their theological depth and musical accessibility. Evans served as a general authority in the LDS Church and was known for his eloquent spoken word contributions, including decades of radio and television broadcasts. His hymns, characterized by thoughtful lyrics and singable melodies, have been adopted by congregations beyond the LDS tradition. His work represents an important bridge between sectarian and ecumenical Christian musical expression in twentieth-century American hymnody.