What songs are you hoping they keep? Which ones do you want to see fall by the wayside? Anything not in the current editions that you'd like to see added?
The Music Submission Content Guidelines for new music may also give us a window into what existing music they are thinking to keep/add:
https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsor...PD60008660_000 MusicSubmission.pdf?lang=eng
What do you think of the doctrinal points of emphasis?
The Music Submission Content Guidelines for new music may also give us a window into what existing music they are thinking to keep/add:
Music Submission Content Guidelines
Hymnbook and Children’s Songbook Revision
The contribution of hymns and songs that teach the gospel of Jesus Christ is immeasurable. The sacred music of the
Church can have a powerful effect on the minds and hearts of members worldwide—inviting the Spirit into their
lives and bringing them closer to their Savior. We are grateful for the many powerful hymns and songs that have
already been submitted by members worldwide, and for those who have not yet submitted music, the following
guidelines and points of emphasis may help invite additional inspiration. Petition your Heavenly Father for help as
you give consecrated effort of your time and talents, your gifts and your love, and He will bless you with wisdom and
understanding as you help to build His kingdom in this important way.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
• Sacred music is most effective when it:
1. Increases faith in and worship of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Teaches core doctrine with power and clarity.
3. Invites joyful singing at home and at church.
4. Comforts the weary and inspires members to endure in faith.
5. Unifies members throughout the Church.
• Writers can use the scriptures and messages from modern prophets for inspiration. Hymns and songs
emphasizing the doctrinal points listed below are especially encouraged.
• Instead of just teaching about Church doctrine and principles, texts can invite a personal connection to the topic,
with language that includes all members regardless of culture, level of spirituality, and life situation.
• Hymns and songs should present gospel truths in a positive, hopeful light and not make members feel burdened
with more to do.
• Texts should avoid obscure words and phrases and difficult Church jargon.
• In addition to music and text that appeals to adults or to children, tunes and messages that will strengthen and
appeal to youth are also encouraged.
• Music composed in traditional styles (similar to previously requested and published pieces) and in more modern or
culturally varied styles, which may resonate with the Church’s increasingly diverse membership, will be considered.
• Hymns that invite unison singing and those that invite part singing are both encouraged.
DOCTRINAL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
• Praise and Worship—We should honor our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, through regular,
meaningful praise and worship.
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ—The Atonement of Jesus Christ overcomes the effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
◦ Jesus Christ conquered spiritual death and paid the price for sin; He offers us mercy and peace as we repent
and come unto Him in faith.
◦ Jesus Christ conquered physical death; we can rejoice in knowing that all of us will be resurrected and
live forever.
◦ Jesus Christ suffered every mortal pain, temptation, and affliction; as we place our trust in Him, He will
strengthen us to endure the trials of mortality.
◦ Jesus Christ offers grace to help us change and become like Him. We can humbly ask God to bless and help us
as we seek to develop Christlike attributes.
• The Plan of Happiness—We will find lasting joy as we follow our Heavenly Father’s plan for us.
◦ God invites us to walk in His covenant path, which marks our way back to Him.
◦ We bind ourselves to Jesus Christ by receiving essential ordinances and by making and keeping sacred
covenants.
◦ We can show our love for Heavenly Father by obeying His commandments.
◦ We can choose to be happy and grateful, even during times of trial.
• Gospel Learning and Revelation—We can seek spiritual knowledge and receive personal revelation for our lives.
◦ We can receive answers to gospel questions through the Holy Ghost, who will teach us the truth, guide and
protect us, and help us live righteously.
◦ We can move forward in faith as we strengthen our own personal testimonies.
◦ Gospel learning is centered in the home through regular individual and family scripture study and prayer.
◦ Temples are holy places of worship and learning where we can receive peace and revelation.
• The Family of God—As beloved spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents, we are all members of the family
of God, and each of us has a divine identity and purpose.
◦ We have a responsibility to minister in love to our brothers and sisters.
◦ Jesus Christ will help us speak, act, and serve as He would.
• Our Families—“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the
Lord Jesus Christ” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).
◦ Jesus Christ has given sacred responsibilities to mothers and fathers.
• Priesthood Power and Authority—Jesus Christ’s priesthood power and priesthood authority are given to
women and men as they unitedly participate in the work of salvation. All of us—including girls and boys—are
blessed through God’s priesthood.
• The Restoration of the Gospel—We are blessed to live in the time of the Restoration of the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
◦ Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith.
◦ The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ. It confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. We can
read and ponder its teachings and then pray to God to know of its truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.
◦ Jesus Christ continues to direct His Church through living prophets.
• The Gathering of Israel—Jesus Christ has invited us to participate in the gathering of Israel on both sides of
the veil.
◦ We have been promised blessings as we participate in the redemption of the dead through family history work
and temple worship.
◦ We have been promised blessings as we share the gospel with all of God’s children.
• The Sabbath Day—We show our Heavenly Father that we love Him by keeping His Sabbath day holy.
• The Second Coming—Jesus Christ will come to the earth again to rule and reign.
◦ Although the last days will be filled with wickedness and difficulty, living the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us
strength. As disciples of Jesus Christ we can stand in holy places and need not fear.
◦ We can rejoice in Jesus Christ’s assurance of deliverance: “I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven, to
fulfil the promises that I have made unto your fathers” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:16).
◦ As we help to build the kingdom of God on the earth, we prepare ourselves and others for Jesus Christ’s return.
Hymnbook and Children’s Songbook Revision
The contribution of hymns and songs that teach the gospel of Jesus Christ is immeasurable. The sacred music of the
Church can have a powerful effect on the minds and hearts of members worldwide—inviting the Spirit into their
lives and bringing them closer to their Savior. We are grateful for the many powerful hymns and songs that have
already been submitted by members worldwide, and for those who have not yet submitted music, the following
guidelines and points of emphasis may help invite additional inspiration. Petition your Heavenly Father for help as
you give consecrated effort of your time and talents, your gifts and your love, and He will bless you with wisdom and
understanding as you help to build His kingdom in this important way.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
• Sacred music is most effective when it:
1. Increases faith in and worship of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Teaches core doctrine with power and clarity.
3. Invites joyful singing at home and at church.
4. Comforts the weary and inspires members to endure in faith.
5. Unifies members throughout the Church.
• Writers can use the scriptures and messages from modern prophets for inspiration. Hymns and songs
emphasizing the doctrinal points listed below are especially encouraged.
• Instead of just teaching about Church doctrine and principles, texts can invite a personal connection to the topic,
with language that includes all members regardless of culture, level of spirituality, and life situation.
• Hymns and songs should present gospel truths in a positive, hopeful light and not make members feel burdened
with more to do.
• Texts should avoid obscure words and phrases and difficult Church jargon.
• In addition to music and text that appeals to adults or to children, tunes and messages that will strengthen and
appeal to youth are also encouraged.
• Music composed in traditional styles (similar to previously requested and published pieces) and in more modern or
culturally varied styles, which may resonate with the Church’s increasingly diverse membership, will be considered.
• Hymns that invite unison singing and those that invite part singing are both encouraged.
DOCTRINAL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
• Praise and Worship—We should honor our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, through regular,
meaningful praise and worship.
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ—The Atonement of Jesus Christ overcomes the effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
◦ Jesus Christ conquered spiritual death and paid the price for sin; He offers us mercy and peace as we repent
and come unto Him in faith.
◦ Jesus Christ conquered physical death; we can rejoice in knowing that all of us will be resurrected and
live forever.
◦ Jesus Christ suffered every mortal pain, temptation, and affliction; as we place our trust in Him, He will
strengthen us to endure the trials of mortality.
◦ Jesus Christ offers grace to help us change and become like Him. We can humbly ask God to bless and help us
as we seek to develop Christlike attributes.
• The Plan of Happiness—We will find lasting joy as we follow our Heavenly Father’s plan for us.
◦ God invites us to walk in His covenant path, which marks our way back to Him.
◦ We bind ourselves to Jesus Christ by receiving essential ordinances and by making and keeping sacred
covenants.
◦ We can show our love for Heavenly Father by obeying His commandments.
◦ We can choose to be happy and grateful, even during times of trial.
• Gospel Learning and Revelation—We can seek spiritual knowledge and receive personal revelation for our lives.
◦ We can receive answers to gospel questions through the Holy Ghost, who will teach us the truth, guide and
protect us, and help us live righteously.
◦ We can move forward in faith as we strengthen our own personal testimonies.
◦ Gospel learning is centered in the home through regular individual and family scripture study and prayer.
◦ Temples are holy places of worship and learning where we can receive peace and revelation.
• The Family of God—As beloved spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents, we are all members of the family
of God, and each of us has a divine identity and purpose.
◦ We have a responsibility to minister in love to our brothers and sisters.
◦ Jesus Christ will help us speak, act, and serve as He would.
• Our Families—“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the
Lord Jesus Christ” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).
◦ Jesus Christ has given sacred responsibilities to mothers and fathers.
• Priesthood Power and Authority—Jesus Christ’s priesthood power and priesthood authority are given to
women and men as they unitedly participate in the work of salvation. All of us—including girls and boys—are
blessed through God’s priesthood.
• The Restoration of the Gospel—We are blessed to live in the time of the Restoration of the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
◦ Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith.
◦ The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ. It confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. We can
read and ponder its teachings and then pray to God to know of its truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.
◦ Jesus Christ continues to direct His Church through living prophets.
• The Gathering of Israel—Jesus Christ has invited us to participate in the gathering of Israel on both sides of
the veil.
◦ We have been promised blessings as we participate in the redemption of the dead through family history work
and temple worship.
◦ We have been promised blessings as we share the gospel with all of God’s children.
• The Sabbath Day—We show our Heavenly Father that we love Him by keeping His Sabbath day holy.
• The Second Coming—Jesus Christ will come to the earth again to rule and reign.
◦ Although the last days will be filled with wickedness and difficulty, living the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us
strength. As disciples of Jesus Christ we can stand in holy places and need not fear.
◦ We can rejoice in Jesus Christ’s assurance of deliverance: “I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven, to
fulfil the promises that I have made unto your fathers” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:16).
◦ As we help to build the kingdom of God on the earth, we prepare ourselves and others for Jesus Christ’s return.
What do you think of the doctrinal points of emphasis?
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