A Summary of Suggestions

Here is a summary of several of the suggestions that have been raised through the site.

RACE

Remove any reference that indicates that God favors or chooses one race over another, including the following references:

• the chosen race – Come, O Thou King of Kings
• holy race – Adam-ondi-Ahman
• the people of his choice – Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
• chosen band – Sing Praise to Him
• chosen Israel – For the Strength of the Hills

Remove references to certain nations being heathen, in error, in darkness or symbols of evil, including:

• Babylon being used as a symbol of wickedness in Ye Elders of Israel and Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
• a dark, benighted land – Go, Ye Messengers of Heaven (Men’s Choir)
• heathen nations – Come, O Thou King of Kings
• deliver their land from error’s chain – Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted

Remove anti-semitic references to Israel being wicked

• Israel! Israel! Canst thou linger still in error’s gloomy ways? – Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
• redeem thine ancient people; their transgressions from them turn – Come, Thou Glorious Day of Promise

Remove references that celebrate supplanting Native Americans or claims that God prepared their lands to be taken by the pioneers, including:

• Where roamed at will the fearless Indian band, the templed cities of the Saints now stand – The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close
• the place which God for us prepared, far away in the West – Come, Come, Ye Saints

Remove anything that might suggest that people can receive special blessings through their birthright or their race, including:

• Ephraim be crowned with his blessings in Zion – The Spirit of God
• youth of a nobel birthright – Carry On

Remove any reference that makes assumption about race or spiritual heritage, such as:

• Faith of Our Fathers
• God of Our Fathers
• We’re going to the mountains of Ephraim – Ye Elders of Israel

GENDER

Replace male-centric language with gender-inclusive language, such as:

• Savior, may I love my brother neighbor – Lord, I Would Follow Thee
• Who said to men us: “Come, follow me” – I Believe in Christ
• Bring to men all the glorious gospel – Come, Rejoice
• My will to his, like son child to sire – God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son
• To all the sons souls of earth – Upon the Cross of Calvary
• Then when the elders When missionaries find their door – The Things I Do
• God of our fathers us all – God of Our Fathers

Better representation of Heavenly Mother, such as:

• Change references to Heavenly Father to Heavenly Parents
• Include this verse of Our Savior’s Love in the hymnbook
• Additional songs and verses about Heavenly Mother

More songs with female role models, such as scripture heroines and sister missionaries. Several blog posts have suggested additional lyrics such as:

• I’ll Stand Tall – new song published in Friend
• Heroes of the Scriptures – new song published in Friend
• Follow the Prophet(ess) lyrics – Additional verse for Follow the Prophet
• Let’s Sing Follow the Prophet – Additional verse for Follow the Prophet
• Primary Songs for Girls – Additional verse for Book of Mormon Stories
• Singing about Sister Missionaries – Additional verse for As Sisters in Zion

Make sure gender roles are balanced:

• Add alternative lyrics for Daddy’s Homecoming for Mommy to come home.
• Less songs about women and flowers and more about women in power
• More songs about sister missionaries
• Include generic songs about family and home under both Fatherhood and Motherhood topics in the back of the book
• Remove any absolutes on gender and gender expression, such as:
  • the errand of angels is given to women – As Sisters in Zion
  • missionaries advised to acquit yourselves like men – Ye Who Are Called to Labor

CIVILITY

Remove references that wish harm on others, including:

• Earth must atone for the blood of that man – Praise to the Man
• The wicked who fight against Zion will surely be smitten at last – We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
• He loves the Saints, he knows them well, but turns the wicked down to hell – Praise Ye the Lord
• The God of Jacob does not sleep; his vengeance will not slumber long – Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!

Remove references that encourage striking others, including

• Strike for Zion – Hope of Israel
• Every strike disarms a foeman – Hope of Israel
• Remember the trials of Missouri… we’ll not rest till our foes are retreating – Up Awake Ye Defenders of Zion
• Let us wield a sword – Let Us All Press On

Remove name-calling, or calling everyone our enemy, including:

• Foul oppressors – For the Strength of the Hills
• Traitors and tyrants – Praise to the Man
• Assisted by legions infernal – Up Awake Ye Defenders of Zion
• The world is our foe – We are All Enlisted

Remove references that disparage people who are depressed or have a hard time to sit still, such as:

• It shouldn’t be hard to sit very still – To Think about Jesus
• No one likes a frowning face. Change it for a smile. – Smiles

To provide feedback to the Church, follow this link:

https://lds.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2m20pSAlCEcevVb

Are there more suggestions that can help the new hymnbook be the best possible? Let us know in the comments below.