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Here’s what you need to know about the updated Hymns and Children’s Songbook submissions process

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Various publications of the Church’s songs for children, including the current Children’s Songbook. The Church has announced it is revising the hymnbook and children’s songbook and invites members to participate. Credit: Bill-C-Bruce, Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
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Sacred music teaches the doctrines of the gospel, nourishes us spiritually and has the power to unify Church members throughout the world. The Church has announced that it will revise the Hymns and the Children’s Songbook and invites members to participat Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
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Church members in Ghana sing from a hymnbook in a worship service. Church leaders announced in June 2018 that they have formed a committee to suggest major revisions to the “Hymns” and “Children’s Songbook” for the first time since it was published in 198

By Alexa Reimschussel

The Church has announced revised submission guidelines for the new "Hymns" and "Children’s Songbook."

According to the news release, hymn submissions should accomplish a variety of goals — inspire faith, teach doctrine, invite joyful singing, comfort the weary and unite Latter-day Saints everywhere.

“We invite all who are gifted with musical and poetic talent to share those gifts,” said Elder Erich W. Kopischke, a General Authority Seventy and adviser to the songbook revision project.

In June 2018, the Church announced plans to publish new versions of the "Hymns" and "Children's Songbook." Following the announcement, the Church News issued a survey asking Latter-day Saints which songs they would most like to see included in the new hymnal. Over 400 people responded with their favorite hymns:

  • "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing": 57 votes
  • "I Stand All Amazed": 21 votes
  • "How Great Thou Art": 17 votes
  • "Because I Have Been Given Much": 16 votes
  • "Be Still, My Soul": 16 Votes
  • "If You Could Hie To Kolob": 15 votes
  • "How Firm a Foundation": 14 votes
  • "Amazing Grace": 12 votes
  • "I Know That My Redeemer Lives": 12 votes
  • "Where Can I Turn for Peace": 11 votes

Additional favorite hymns from that survey that are not currently listed in the hymnal included the following:

  • "Be Thou My Vision"
  • "Consider the Lilies"
  • "Each Cooing Dove"
  • "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"
  • "Take Time to Be Holy"
  • "Holy, Holy, Holy"
  • "In the Garden"
  • "I Will Be What I Believe"
  • "Just As I Am"
  • "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
  • "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
  • "Softly and Tenderly"

Two committees with experience in music, education, literature, world cultures and Church doctrine will recommend songs to the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on which songs should be included in each book.

Those who wish to write, compose and submit potential works for upcoming revised "Hymns" and "Children’s Songbook" may do so by July 1, 2019. Additionally, those who would like to participate in the revision process can do so through an online survey.

Read the full release on Church Newsroom.

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