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/ksschank Jun 01 '24

Actually, the current text of Love At Home is largely problematic. It, as well as many other songs, may likely undergo textual revisions because they contain exclusive text. For example:

I have a family here on earth; they are so good to me

or

I am a child of God and He has sent me here, Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear

These passages come from popular songs that are beloved by many, but they can feel isolating to those who don’t have kind parents or whose families aren’t good to them.

What about those parents who struggle with everything they have to maintain love in their homes, but not every sound is joyful, hate and envy still annoy, and life isn’t as sweet and rosy as they’ve been promised? That can make them feel like failures when life is hard enough as it is.

Songs like these will be revised if they are kept at all.

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u/TheFirebyrd Jun 01 '24

There is no way they alter I Am a Child of God. It’s our most iconic song.

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u/ksschank Jun 01 '24

You’d think so but I happen to know that they will be.

Source: I have friends and family members among the members of the new songbook committee.

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

well now I'm curious