“The Children’s Songbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been in use since 1989 and is used for ages 18 months to twelve years old.” So begins a recent report given to the First Presidency’s Commission on Church Publications for Review. A copy of which has been shared with the author of this blog. The report continues to outline that the 21 year old publication is in need of immediate revision.
The report included a draft of a more modern songbook that would include songs like “Scripture Power” among the revised music. On page two the report plainly describes the need for this revision. “It’s initial audience are now the parents who are loosing their hair and chasing after their own crew of primary aged children. We’ve already alienated them by adopting songs such as Scripture Power which is not in the current songbook. One of the major comments from newly called primary workers is their general frustration at singing songs not listed in the current songbook. It’s clear that either Bishops need to be instructed to call younger primary workers, or the book needs to be revised.”
The review board was instructed to secure songs written by non LDS authors for inclusion in the new book. Similar efforts were made to include now LDS favorite “Love at Home” in the current hymnal. Among the list of new songs appears Tom Petty’s 1989 hit single, Won’t Back Down. “We felt this was a way to connect with the now balding generation the Children’s Songbook was intentionally written for, while appealing to the younger generation that are their children. 
We felt particularly passionate about this song choice after reading Malachi 4:6, specifically where it talks about ‘turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.’ The song very plainly discusses standing by one’s beliefs even though the “gates of hell” are before you. Clearly this is a message needed in these latter-days.”
Copyright issues with using the piece were easily resolved. Missionaries in Mr. Petty’s mission district were all given a contract to have him sign if spotted in the area. When one companionship spotted him entering a local Atlanta Bread Company they decided to fast the rest of the month in order to afford a meal with the Rock and Roll Giant. They essentially gave Mr. Petty two options for the lunch conversation, baptism or copyrights. Mr. Petty chose to discuss copyrights and the rest is history.
Of lesser note, a song about dinosaurs will be included in the upcoming version because (according to the report) “they’re just cool and certainly underrepresented in the LDS song library.” I can’t disagree with logic like that!
If approved the English printing of the songbook will begin in the spring of 2012 with a announcement expected at General conference in October of that year. Translations in other languages will follow throughout 2012 and 2013. This timeline would allow the song to be included in the 2013 primary program. Although the church’s news and events website has not been updated to note any announcement of the upcoming songbook at the time of publication many in the LDS community (including this author) await its anticipation.
Author’s note: This blog post is categorized as sarcasm. I’m sorry to report that nothing in here is actually true. This post actually started when my six year old started singing “Won’t Back Down” At first I wanted to correct him, but then realized the song’s actually got a good message behind it. Hope you got a laugh reading. Please share it with your friends, and here’s to hoping the next songbook has something about dinosaurs! After all they’re just really cool!
