News on the Updated LDS Version of “Amazing Grace”
By Jonathan D. Whitcomb (Murray, Utah, USA)
As of the morning of July 24, 2025, the following is the most recent news on the revised text for “Amazing Grace”, which I wrote for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Members I’ve talked with locally, recently, have reacted positively in support of new lyrics for the old hymn. My meeting with President Dredge (Murray Utah North Stake) went very well, and he will contact the Area Seventy who is responsible for the stakes in this part of the Salt Lake County. Please be aware that neither President Dredge nor the Area Seventy should be expected to predict the outcome of my effort to introduce this new hymn variation to the general leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I told President Dredge that I will accept the final decision of the general leaders of the Church, and as I recall, I admitted that there may be a reason for those leaders to support the traditional words of “Amazing Grace” in the upcoming new hymn book. Whatever happens, I am very grateful for President Dredge’s support in my bringing up details, to the general leaders, regarding the new words that would modify a very beloved hymn of the Christian world.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (July 25, 2025)
I no longer suggest that the new *version of “Amazing Grace” must replace the old version that is now #1010 for the new hymn book. I now ask that *”2025-July-22″ be considered for an additional hymn in Hymns—For Home and Church, with different uses for the two.
Having two hymns with the same title, in an LDS hymn book, is not in itself revolutionary. In the 1985 hymn book we have #176 and #177 (“‘Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love”) and #173 and #174 (“While of These Emblems We Partake”). The differences with those two pairs are mostly with the music. With “Amazing Grace”, however, the traditional tune can be identical in the two versions (at present the harmonization differs).
Here is the point: How the two versions are used—that will differ. The new version will be mostly for home use with children and for sacrament-meeting congregational singing. The #1010 (already approved for the new hymn book) I suggest for choir performances and especially for many interdenominational gatherings. Other usages may be found, but generally #1010 should not be chosen for children to sing and probably not for most singing by youth.
In harmony with the Savior’s teachings about little children, the version to be used should be “2025-July-22”, or something with a similar kind of wording, when children might be expected to sing. If the general Church leaders choose to have two versions of “Amazing Grace” in Hymns—For home and Church, then #1010 (with the traditional words of the first verse) will very likely be the version that will NOT be used in sacrament meetings.
I have in mind three possible avenues to contact the leaders in the music department of the Church. As of early July 25th, I have not spoken with any of them. If anyone has any direct contact with someone in the music department or a general authority, I will also be open to that. Thank you.
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This includes “Gethsemane”, a favorite children’s song about the Savior’s experience in that garden, regarding His atoning sacrifice on that night.
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Hymns and some potential hymns for the LDS Church
These include “Amazing Grace” and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “Now in the Garden” (here referred to with the words “Christ in Gethsemane”)
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This is an alphabetical listing, as of July 12, 2025, for the upcoming Hymns—For Home and Church
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A new LDS version of “Amazing Grace”
As of at least June 1, 2025, this version of “Amazing Grace” has not been promoted or accepted for publication by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at least not yet.
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Details about the traditional “Amazing Grace”
It is possibly the most sung and most recorded hymn in the world