Latter-day Saint Hymnbook and Children’s Songbook to Be Revised

News Release: Church Global Newsroom, 18 June 2018

Two books of sacred music published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are about to undergo significant changes. An official notice has been sent to Church leaders around the world announcing a revision to “Hymns” and the “Children’s Songbook” used in worship services.

girls singing — Two girls sing from a Latter-day Saint hymnbook

'Along with prayer and the scriptures, hymns invite the Spirit into our hearts and strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel,' said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

'We recognize the power that sacred music has to unify the members of the Church throughout the world,' added Elder Rasband. 'We desire to offer a consistent core collection of hymns and songs in every language that reflects the diverse needs of the global Church in our day.'

singing in meeting — Latter-day Saints in Mongolia enjoy singing from the hymnbook

The new music collections will be created over the next several years to unify members and reflect the needs of members around the world. Selections will include core hymns and songs that teach the doctrines of the gospel.

Elder Erich W. Kopischke of the Seventy said, 'The language of music is universal. Even if we come from different cultures and speak different languages, singing together brings the same spirit to everybody.'

singing at family home evening — A Latter-day Saint family in Bolivia sings a song during home evening.

'I still remember singing songs in Primary as a young child growing up in Argentina,' said Sister Cristina B. Franco, second counselor in the Primary general presidency. 'Those songs still ring in my ears, along with the gospel principles that they taught me while I was very young.'

Under the direction of the First Presidency, committees have been assembled to recommend revisions to the current music collections.

The new music will be compiled into one hymnbook and one children’s songbook, offering the same hymns and songs in all languages. In addition to the printed books, new audio of the hymns and songs will be recorded. The music will be available online once the new books are available. National anthems will not be included in the printed hymnbooks.

girl playing piano from hymnbook — A young woman plays a hymn on the piano from the Church’s Spanish hymnbook

Sacred music has been important to Latter-day Saints from the earliest days of the Restoration. The first collection of hymn texts for members of the Church, gathered by Joseph Smith’s wife, Emma, was published in 1835. The current hymnbook was revised in 1985.

sacrament meeting — Latter-day Saint hymnbooks are used during a meeting in Ghana.

'Perhaps the most meaningful hymns and songs of the Restoration have not yet been written,' remarked Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. of the Seventy. 'We encourage our talented members to prayerfully consider what they might add to the body of music already known and loved by the Church.'

men singing — A group of men sing together during a Sunday meeting in Mexico.

Additional hymns and songs applicable to specific languages and areas will also be distributed through digital channels.

Original hymns, children’s songs, song texts without music or music without text can be submitted for consideration at newmusic.lds.org.

sister missionaries singing — Sister missionaries on Temple Square sing from the hymnbook during the Christmas season.

Up to five hymns and five children’s songs may be submitted by an individual for consideration. Feedback can also be provided about the current music through an online survey. New submissions must be received by July 1, 2019.

A composer or author will need to create a profile using his or her LDS Account to submit music or lyrics. Anyone (member or nonmember) may obtain an LDS Account free of charge at ldsaccount.lds.org.