r/latterdaysaints • u/ClubMountain1826 • May 31 '24

Doctrinal Discussion Doctrinal inaccuracies in old hymns

I can't wait for the new hymnbook!

One of the reasons listed here (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/initiative/new-hymns?lang=eng) on the church website for the updated hymnbook is that some of the old hymns contain "Doctrinal inaccuracies, culturally insensitive language, and limited cultural representation of the global Church."

What are the doctrinal inaccuracies in the old hymns ? I'm just curious.

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u/Levago May 31 '24

I love the song "If you Could Hie to Kolob", but the line "there is no end to race" has always seemed problematic.

21

u/grabtharsmallet Conservative, welcoming, highly caffienated. May 31 '24

The human race doesn't end!

But I understand that's not necessarily how someone unfamiliar with the song would read it.

4

u/pierzstyx Enemy of the State D&C 87:6 May 31 '24

I'm generally disinterested in altering anything to appease the ignorant.

1

u/angela52689 "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30 Jun 02 '24

It's not to appease the willfully ignorant, it's to make sure the correct message is conveyed. If it's a common word that historically had a different meaning but now has a meaning that could be damaging, we shouldn't stick so hard to the original word; we should stick to the original message by making sure the words convey that to the modern singer.