Pacific Mormons React to Announcement of New Global Hymnbook and Children’s Songbook

“We will carry on singing” shared Auckland woman, Alice Marie Miller, regarding the announcement on 18 June of major changes that are now underway for two books of sacred music, “Hymns” and the “Children’s Songbook,” belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.          

“An updated, international hymnbook will help unify us as a worldwide church,” Miller continues. “I love that the Church will be including hymns from all around the world, recognizing that many cultures are united in our faith in Jesus Christ.”

“I think it addresses the fact that the Church is expanding,” said Glen Innes Latter-day Saint, Kevin Roos.

“The Church is addressing the needs of its members around the world. It’s a very inclusive way of looking at worship. I think it’s a great idea.”

Mr. Roos continued, “We know that the majority of the members lie outside of a Euro-centric nation. Isn’t it fitting that the hymnbook, as an international representation of worship, would be shared in a way that someone in Chile might open it up and say, ‘I can relate to that’ or an African worshipper may find spiritual roots within some of the songs that might go into the hymnbook."

Upon learning of the announcement and reflecting on the commitment to follow the Saviour that is expressed in hymns and children’s songs, June Anderson, a member of the Albany Ward (congregation) shared that “the news of a new hymnbook being created seems almost sequential."

"When we look back at the years of joy and upliftment the current hymnbook has brought us, it seems natural that we encourage and allow the many talented musicians and lyricists of today to create more.”

“For all who have sung, read, played and heard from our hymnbook or children’s song book, the anticipation of yet more to come is met with gratitude and appreciation.”

Though the current hymnbook and song book have been treasured and put to great use for almost 33 years and 29 years respectively, many of the younger generation are not familiar with much of the music.

“Revising both gives us an opportunity to include the newest sacred music written by Church members as well as additional wonderful music from other faith traditions,” noted Church leader, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr.

The first LDS hymnbook, entitled: “A Collection of Sacred Hymns for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," was published in 1835. It was a vest pocket edition measuring three inches by four and one-half inches and contained 90 hymn texts, 39 of them written by LDS poets. Since that time there have been many revisions or editions and translations into many languages.

For information regarding musical submissions for the new hymn and song books, go here.

Mormons believe that faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ can be strengthened in many ways, including through playing, singing and listening to sacred music.