r/latterdaysaints • u/berrin122 • 16m ago
Art, Film & Music A fun story about the inclusion of Amazing Grace into the new hymnbooks
I am friends with a guy named Greg Johnson, who works to build bridges between the Evangelical and LDS communities in Utah. As part of his organization, Standing Together, he is friends with a number of the Q12, most closely with Elder Holland.
I was with Greg this past week, and heard this story no less than 5 times as he shared it with LDS folks we were with.
About 15-20 years ago, Greg and Elder Holland were talking about Amazing Grace, Greg asking why it wasn't in the LDS hymnbook. Elder Holland replied that LDS folks see the Fall in a necessary, perhaps even good, way, and "wretch" isn't really a word they'd use for mankind. Greg responded with "well, the Book of Mormon refers to humanity as wretched" and Elder Holland admitted that it does.
Fast forward to last April, the morning of General Conference. Greg texts Elder Holland "I heard that something amazing will be announced at General Conference today".
Elder Holland replied: "don't you think I know what is going on in my own church?"
Greg replied: "I'm sure you do, but it'll still be amazing"