SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Among the new batch of 48 hymns released by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you'll find an African American spiritual.

"I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me" was released along with 10 other songs in June of 2025 as an addition to "Hymns—For Home and Church."

According to the church, the song is an African American spiritual and was likely passed down among West and Central African people enslaved in the United States.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sing hymns during their sacrament meeting. (Courtesy//The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

"Because of the importance of sacred music in the Church, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have been intimately involved in every aspect of the new hymnbook,

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