THOUGHTS about HYMNS

John Wesley's Singing Rules One of the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley wrote these rules for congregational singing which I find to still be timely and valid.
MARTIN LUTHER on the Importance of Hymns I am researching to see if he actually said this, but it certainly rings true!

PUBLIC ADDRESSES and Articles
on the ARTS and on HYMNS

-- The Gospel Vision of the Arts ... a landmark speech by President Spencer W. Kimball given at Brigham Young University in 1967
-- "Inspiring Music - Worthy Thoughts" ... Elder Boyd K. Packer in the October 1973 LDS General Conference ... and here are Two Other Quotes by Elder Boyd K. Packer in LDS General Conferences.
-- Guidelines for Writing Latter-day Hymns - a 1973 article by Alexander Schreiner, Tabernacle Organist & Church Music Committee member. Official church guidelines have changed and we have a new hymnal, but the spirit of the subject rings true.
-- The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord ... a 1976 BYU speech by Elder Boyd K. Packer
-- 1985 Hymnal - two ENSIGN articles and a First Presidency letter published when the 1985 LDS Hymnal was published
-- "LDS Hymns - Worshiping With Song" ... Elder Franklin D. Richards in the October 1982 LDS General Conference
-- A Closer Look at Popular Music ... March 1985 ENSIGN Magazine article by Lex de Azevedo, Latter-day Saint composer of popular and classical music
-- The Language of Prayer ... Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the April 1993 General Conference
-- Worship Through Music ... Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the October 1994 LDS General Conference
-- Learning and Singing Hymns - a 1994 conversation with the Church Music Committee Chairman Michael F. Moody
-- Filling the World with Goodness and Truth ... a 1996 Ensign Magazine article by Elder M. Russell Ballard
-- Why are we encouraged to limit our musical selections for Sacrament Meetings to hymns or other hymnlike selections? ... Daniel Carter, LDS Music Committee
-- The Power of Hymns ... by Elder Merrill J. Bateman (takes you to another website)
-- The Nourishing Power of Hymns ... by Elder Jay E. Jensen in the April 2007 LDS General Conference
been invited to other congregations to deliver it
-- Power in the Hymns to Praise the Lord ... by W. Herbert Klopfer, former member of the LDS Church music committee
-- The Power of Simple Music by composer Janice Kapp Perry; originally appeared in Meridian Magazine
-- Worship Though the Hymns ... a March 2008 NEW ERA article (takes you to another website)
-- Let the Power of Religions Music Wash Over You ... Deseret News columnist Jerry Johnson, August 2008
-- What do Hymns Tell Us? ... by David Bitten; originally published in Meridian Magazine
-- Noted Song Writer Janice Kapp Perry Shares Her Secrets on the Creative Process originally published in Meridian Magazine
-- Song of the Righteous ... LDS Church News editorial, July 25, 2008
-- Music is the Energy of Life by Professor, Director, and Singer Michael Ballam, August 2009 Education Week
-- Music Warms and Lights ... a Church News editorial

QUOTES from GENERAL CONFERENCE on Hymns and Singing

Articles I Wrote:

-- Use of 'King James English' in Hymns and Prayers ... it's easier than you think!
-- Music to Calm the Beasts of Depression, Grief, and Trauma ... my own Meridian Magazine article; part of a series on Men and Depression
-- Power in the Hymns ... an address I gave in November 2007 to my home congregation and have since given in other congregations
-- A Man as the Primary Chorister? ... tips and suggestions for other men with the best calling in the Church
-- What I Learned Teaching the Children to Sing "How Firm a Foundation" ... or, how the chorister is taught the Gospel by the children

- LDS CHURCH MUSIC RESOURCE - the church website now has a Music page with some incredible resources for Latter-Day Saints! (takes you to another website)
- IS it true LDS congregations can only use their hymnal in their church services? CLICK HERE to read straight out of the Handbook of Instructions on the subject. Or, CLICK HERE to read the same thing but with my commentary on the side.
- "Harmony on the Highway" answers some of the why and how's to memorize hymns