Pres. Hunter now included in 'prophets' song
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A popular song in the Children's Songbook that helps youngsters learn the names and sequence of the presidents of the Church has been updated to include the current prophet, President Howard W. Hunter.
The song, "Latter-day Prophets" with its updated words, will be included in future editions of the Children's Songbook, said Michael F. Moody, chairman of the General Church Music Committee.In addition to including President Hunter's name, the new version includes an asterisk on the last line referring to this footnote at the bottom of the page: "Succeeding presidents' names may be substituted on this line."
Cynthia Pace, who wrote the words to the song, recalled that a dedicated mother asked her to write the song to help her daughter remember the names of the prophets.
"I knelt down and poured out my heart to my Father in Heaven
in thanksT for my many blessings. I also asked Him to help me write a little song to help this girl. At the close of my prayer the words to the first line of the song came: `Latter-day prophets are number one, Joseph Smith, then Brigham Young,' with the impression, `I have given you the first line, you write the rest!' " (See Our Children's Songs by Virginia B. Cannon, p. 128.)
After quoting the account, Sister Cannon added in her book: "An indication of the great popularity of `Latter-day Prophets' came at the death of Spencer W. Kimball. The Primary office received many requests and suggestions for a revision to include the new prophet, Ezra Taft Benson. This updated version is the one included in the Children's Songbook."
Now, with the most recent revision, the song can be updated indefinitely as each new president is called and sustained. The revised sheet music is reproduced on this page.
