As part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ new global hymnbook project, some of the lyrics to Nita Dale Milner’s popular children’s song “When I Am Baptized” have been changed.
The refreshed song was published in the January 2026 issue of Friend magazine on December 20th.
The updated lyrics are below. Changes from the original are shown in bold.
1. I like looking for rainbows when it rains.
And think about the beauty of a clean earth again.
(chorus)
I want my life to be as clean as the soil after it rains.
I want to live with God again as best I can.
2. When I am baptized, I know that I am choosing the way of the Savior.
And when I turn to the Lord daily, I will be forgiven.
(chorus)
I want my life to be as clean as the soil after it rains.
I want to live with God again as best I can.
Previously, the first verse said, “Earth,” and the second verse said, “My mistakes are washed away, I am forgiven, and I can improve myself every day.”
Primary President Susan H. Porter said in a social media video that these changes were made to more clearly teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ in the song.
“We know that when our children choose to be baptized, we are choosing to enter into a covenant with our Heavenly Father,” President Porter said.
Although the previous quote referred to water washing away their mistakes, President Porter wants parents to teach their children that water does not wash away sins, but that “it is a symbol.”
Alma 7:14 says: “Come therefore, and be baptized of repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, and have faith in the Lamb of God, who is mighty to take away the sins of the world, and to save and cleanse from all unrighteousness.”
President Porter said Alma clearly recognized that the Savior is the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit.
“What a gift it is for children to know that once they are baptized, they can joyfully repent of their sins every day of their lives, washed away by the blessings of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ,” she said.
These conversations may be part of preparing children for baptism. Another way to prepare children is to hold a Baptism and Confirmation preparation meeting for children turning eight years old near the beginning of the year. A new section about this gathering has been added to the General Handbook.
Create a new hymnbook
As the Church creates a new global hymnbook, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are involved every step of the way, Steve Shank, chairman of the hymnbook committee, told Church News in June. “Senior leaders of the church are closely involved in every decision that is made.”
One of the goals of this project is to teach the core doctrines of the gospel with force and clarity. Therefore, each song and hymn in the new collection was carefully considered and the lyrics adjusted as necessary.
Other goals are to strengthen faith and worship in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, to encourage joyful singing in homes and churches, and to inspire and unite members throughout the Church worldwide.
“There’s something about music that makes the gospel penetrate our hearts and minds in an unforgettable way. Sacred music teaches us the gospel in a non-threatening way. It’s easy to understand,” Shank said.
More new hymns will be released in 2026, and a printed version of Hymns for Home and Church will be available in mid-2027.
