QUOTES
from Latter-day Saint General Conference Addresses
on Music and Hymn
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"Years ago I was singing
Handel's Messiah with a group of people from different faiths. Even
though our beliefs were different, we were all singing about the same
Messiah, our own personal Savior. I had sung this oratorio many times,
but during one particular practice, the Spirit told me that I was not
only singing notes, I was singing my testimony: "Surely, he hath borne
our griefs, and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4). I knew with all my
soul that He had done that for me. For a moment the 300 other voices
became a whisper and I felt like I was all alone with the Lord. I felt
His love and reassurance that He had carried the griefs and the sorrows
of my teenage heart, and through my obedience, He would continue to walk
with me for the rest of my life. To feel that blessing and comfort and
complete love from the Lord is worth any price." ("Standing in Holy
Places", Sister Sharon G. Larsen, April 2002 Young Women's Meeting)
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"While prayer, scripture study,
and service in the Church helped me to learn the Father's plan and gain
and develop an eternal perspective, I have an increased appreciation for
the contribution that sacred hymns bring to conversion.
"During my childhood and youth and especially in
Primary, the hymns of the Restoration, written by true servants of God,
played a profound role in my conversion to the gospel and an
understanding of His plan. President Packer has said, "If we will
listen, they are teaching the gospel, for the hymns of the Restoration
are, in fact, a course in doctrine!" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991,
29; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22).
"In the First Presidency preface of the current hymnal,
we are reminded that "inspirational music is an essential part of our
church meetings. . . . Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the
singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build
testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and
inspire us to endure to the end" (Hymns, ix).
"Many hymns reveal the doctrines of the great plan of
redemption. Some hymns came as a result of great sacrifice, the ultimate
being death, and they communicate a spirit of holiness and consecration
to lead us to conversion to the Father and His plan.
"With the teacher improvement emphasis this year,
parents, teachers, and missionaries will improve gospel teaching by
ensuring they understand the plan themselves and sing the hymns that
carry the same spirit. Sing them—hopefully not in a perfunctory way,
rather with purpose—to begin and end meetings and as part of lessons or
to introduce or summarize ideas in the lessons." (Keep an Eternal
Perspective: Elder Jay E. Jensen, April 2000)
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"I must admit that my heart beat
a little faster with spiritual emotion as the choir was singing..." ("Feed My Sheep", Elder David B. Haight, April 1979)
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"No matter where we are, no
matter our circumstances, we all can be faithful Latter-day Saints. We
can pray and worship the Lord in the privacy of our own closet. We can
sing anthems of praise to the Almighty even when we are alone. We can
study the scriptures. We can live the gospel. We can pay our tithes and
offerings though the amount be ever so small. We can walk in faith. We
can strive to live lives patterned after the life of our Master."
(Welcome to Conference: President Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1998)
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"I have a final suggestion. With
the single exception of those priests occupied breaking the bread, all
who hold the Aaronic Priesthood should join in singing the sacrament
hymn by which we worship and prepare to partake. No one needs that
spiritual preparation more than the priesthood holders who will
officiate in it. My young brethren, it is important that you sing the
sacrament hymn. Please do so." (The Aaronic Priesthood and the
Sacrament: Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 1998)
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"You have just listened to the
strains of "Come, Come, Ye Saints. My first opportunity to really become
acquainted with "Come, Come, Ye Saints" was in a little stone tabernacle
in southern Idaho, where I grew up as a boy. Inside that little
tabernacle built out of lava rock by the local members of the Church
back in the late 1880s there was a stand, a podium similar to what we
have here, and then a pipe organ in the back, like this beautiful pipe
organ we have here, but smaller. This was before electricity and motors,
and it had a pump system. The way to get air into the pipe organ is
through a bellow system. Someone would sit on a stool and pump the lever
at the back of the organ. It was always a great privilege to a young man
to be selected to sit on that stool and pump the organ.
"In that little tabernacle, when we would sing "Come,
Come, Ye Saints," I felt the spirit and power of the music would raise
the roof. You could feel it because of the power, the faith, and the
testimony of the members. In that little tabernacle we would have
Aaronic Priesthood choruses where we'd learn to sing. It was there we
would sing "A Mormon Boy." We don't hear that song much anymore. I wish
we would. "A Mormon boy, A Mormon boy, I am a Mormon boy. I might be
envied by a king, for I am a Mormon boy" (Evan Stephens, in Best-Loved
Poems of the LDS People, comp. Jack M. Lyon and others [1996], 296).
"That made a great impression upon me. Just think of
that for a moment. "I might be envied by a king." Here's a king with all
the power, all the pomp, all the wealth the king would have. But I was
beginning to learn that we held, as members of the Church, blessings,
priesthood blessings, knowledge, information that the king wouldn't know
about and didn't have. "I might be envied by a king, for I am a Mormon
boy." (Hymn of the Obedient: "All Is Well": Elder David B. Haight,
October 1997)
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"Perhaps you know people in the
broad congregation of this conference, or in your local ward or stake—or
in your own home—courageous people who are carrying heavy burdens and
feeling private pain, who are walking through the dark valleys of this
world's tribulation. Some may be desperately worried about a husband or
a wife or a child, worried about their health or their happiness or
their faithfulness in keeping the commandments. Some are living with
physical pain, or emotional pain, or disabilities that come with age.
Some are troubled as to how to make ends meet financially—and some ache
with the private loneliness of an empty house or an empty room or simply
empty arms.
"These beloved people seek the Lord and His word with
particular urgency, often revealing their true emotions only when the
scriptures are opened or when the hymns are sung or when the prayers are
offered. Sometimes only then do the rest of us realize they feel near
the end of their strength—they are tired in brain and body and heart,
they wonder if they can get through another week or another day or
sometimes just another hour. They are desperate for the Lord's help and
they know that in such times of extremity nothing else will do." (The
Peaceable Things of the Kingdom: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October 1996)
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"When Newel Knight informed his
wife, Lydia, that the Saints would have to leave Nauvoo and move yet
again, she responded with tenacious faith, saying, "'Well, there's
nothing to discuss. Our place is with the Kingdom of God. Let us at once
set about making preparations to leave."' Brother Knight had moved his
family several times already as many of the Saints had moved from New
York to Ohio to Missouri and to Illinois. Lydia Knight's devoted
submission to what she knew was God's will typifies powerfully the faith
of those heroic early Saints. With their faith in mind, the words of a
familiar hymn take on added meaning:
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death!
(Faith of Our Fathers: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 1996)
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"The administration and passing
of the sacrament is preceded by a hymn which all of us should sing. It
doesn't matter what kind of musical voice we have. Sacramental hymns are
more like prayers anyway—and everyone can give voice to a prayer!
We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.
(Hymns, 1985, no. 194)
"It is an important element of our worship to unite in
such lyrical and moving expressions of gratitude. ("This Do in
Remembrance of Me": Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October 1995)
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"When you are young not all of
life's questions and difficulties have arisen yet, but they will arise,
and, unfortunately for your generation, they will arise at a younger and
younger age. The gospel of Jesus Christ marks the only sure and safe
path. So older men, seasoned men—men passing on to you the legacy of
history—continue to call out to youth.
"This call from one generation to another is one of the
reasons we hold priesthood meetings with dads seated next to sons, and
priesthood leaders at the side of those whose fathers may be absent. It
was in a stake priesthood meeting with a format very much like this one
that the then twelve-year-old Gordon B. Hinckley stood in the back of
the old Salt Lake Tenth Ward building—his first such stake priesthood
meeting as a newly ordained deacon—feeling just a bit lonely and a
little out of place.
"But upon hearing the men of that stake sing W. W.
Phelps's stirring memorial tribute "Praise to the Man," this young boy,
who would one day be a prophet himself, had it borne upon his soul that
Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God, that he had in truth "communed
with Jehovah," that "millions shall know Brother Joseph' again" (Hymns,
1985, no. 27). Yes, some part of the preparation for this morning's
solemn assembly began when a twelve-year-old deacon heard faithful,
experienced, older men sing the hymns of Zion in a priesthood meeting.
"Now, very few twelve-year-olds will live to become the
President of the Church, nor do we need to in order to prove our
faithfulness, but let us never forget that "in every place a man now
stands, a boy once used to be," and all of you young men have the
opportunity—and the responsibility—to be just as faithful in gaining a
testimony and standing for the truth as did the men we have sustained as
prophets, seers, and revelators down through the dispensations. Indeed,
this is one of those things history calls out to us—that the future may
be daunting, but you young men are more than equal to the task." (Our
Priesthood Legacy: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (April 1995)
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"Much will be said, written, and
recorded about President Hinckley during the time he presides over the
Church. Much less will be recorded about his dear companion, Marjorie.
For you who have not had the opportunity of meeting Sister Hinckley, I
would like to tell you something about her. What an example she has been
and will continue to be to the women of the Church and to all the world.
She is such a loyal, supportive companion to our President.
"Sister Hinckley's roots sink deeply into rich pioneer
soil, leaving an indelible imprint on her life and character. She wrote
this about her great-grandfather:
"On a beautiful Sunday morning in the fall of 1841, my
great-grandfather, William Minshall Evans, then sixteen years of age,
was walking down the streets of Liverpool, England, on his way to
church. Suddenly he heard singing that thrilled him beyond anything he
had ever heard before. He followed the sound down an alley and up some
rickety stairs into a room where a few people were holding a meeting.
John Taylor, who later became president of the Church and who had a
beautiful tenor voice, was the singer. The song he sang was so beautiful
that William remained to hear the sermon.
"Upon returning home, William was reprimanded by his
elder brother, David, for being absent from his accustomed place in the
choir. Asked to give an account of himself, William replied, `I have
been where you should have been, and I shall not be satisfied until you
all hear the wonderful truth I have heard this morning.'
". . . William and David were converted to the gospel,
and then helped convert other members of their family" (ENSIGN, July
1981, p. 48).
"Sister Hinckley commented, "I never sing the hymns of
the Church without remembering that it was the singing of a hymn that
opened the door to the gospel for my family and made it possible for me
to enjoy all the blessings that have followed" (p. 48). (An Elect Lady:
Elder L. Tom Perry, April 1995)
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"Inspirational music is an
essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of
the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and
provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord. "Some of the greatest
sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to
repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary,
console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end" (Hymns, 1985,
p. ix).
"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put
ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. I wonder if we are making
enough use of this heaven-sent resource in our meetings, in our classes,
and in our homes...
"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn
the doctrine of the restored gospel...
"The Apostle Paul advised the Colossians that they
should be "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col.
3:16; see also Alma 26:8).
"Modern revelation reaffirms the importance of sacred
music. In one of the earliest revelations given through the Prophet
Joseph Smith, the Lord appointed Emma Smith "to make a selection of
sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to
be had in my church.
"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea,
the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered
with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:11-12).
"In a revelation given through another prophet a
generation later, the Lord commanded his people to "praise the Lord with
singing, [and] with music" (D&C 136:28)...
"Many have difficulty expressing worshipful feelings in
words, but all can join in communicating such feelings through the
inspired words of our hymns."...
"I believe some of us in North America are getting
neglectful in our worship, including the singing of hymns. I have
observed that the Saints elsewhere are more diligent in doing this. We
in the center stakes of Zion should renew our fervent participation in
the singing of our hymns.
"There are a few conventions all of us should observe
as we worship through music. As we sing we should think about the
messages of the words.
"Our hymns contain matchless doctrinal sermons,
surpassed only by the scriptures in their truth and poetic impact.
"We depend on our choristers and organists to lead us
at the prescribed pace. Too slow or too fast can detract from a
worshipful mood.
"We should be careful what music we use in settings
where we desire to contribute to worship. Many musical numbers good for
other wholesome settings are not appropriate for church meetings."...
"Our sacred music prepares us to be taught the truths
of the gospel."
"We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in
tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and
learn our doctrine. We need to make better use of our hymns in
missionary teaching, in gospel classes, in quorum meetings, in home
evenings, and in home teaching visits.
"Music is an effective way to worship our Heavenly
Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We should use hymns when we need
spiritual strength and inspiration.
"We who have "felt to sing the song of redeeming love"
(Alma 5:26) need to keep singing that we may draw ever closer to him who
has inspired sacred music and commanded that it be used to worship him.
May we be diligent in doing so is my humble prayer, which I offer with a
testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of the
divine calling of those we have sustained today." (Worship Through
Music, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 1994)
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"Make wholesome music of all kinds a part of your life.
"Then learn what sacred music has to do with
revelation. The Lord said, “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart;
yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be
answered with a blessing upon their heads.” (D&C 25:12)
"Secular music may be inspiring in a classical or
popular sense, but it will not prepare your mind to be instructed by the
Spirit as will sacred music.
"The Apostle Paul counseled the Ephesians to “be filled
with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
(Eph. 5:18–19)
Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation: The Gift, the
Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994
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"Prelude music, reverently played, is nourishment for the spirit. It
invites inspiration. That is a time to, as the poet said, “go to your
bosom … and ask your heart what it doth know.” (William Shakespeare,
Measure for Measure, act 2, scene 2, lines 136–37.) Do not ever disturb
prelude music for others, for reverence is essential to revelation. “Be
still,” He said, “and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)
Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation: The Gift, the
Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994
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"I thank the Lord for the
knowledge He has given me that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living
God. I have spoken before of the experience I had as a twelve-year-old
boy, a newly ordained deacon. With my father I went to our stake
priesthood meeting. He sat on the stand as a member of the stake
presidency, and I sat on the back row of the chapel. The men of that
large congregation stood and sang, 'Praise to the man who communed with
Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last
dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.' (Hymns, 1985,
no. 27) As I heard them sing that hymn with power and conviction, there
came into my heart a witness of the divine calling of the boy Joseph,
and I am grateful that the Lord has sustained that witness through more
than seventy years since then. I am happy that my faith has not been
shaken by the writings of critics who never seem to recognize that
knowledge of things divine comes by the power of the Spirit and not of
the wisdom of men." (My Testimony, President Gordon B. Hinckley, October
1993)
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"...I know also that we can keep
this commandment if we will organize ourselves and prepare "every
needful thing." I am grateful that my parents and grandparents provided
such traditions of learning for our family. My father wrote this account
of how his parents taught their children: "The musical, cheerful voice
[of my mother] called, 'Come, children, it is the singing and story
hour.'... She seated herself in a well-used rocking chair, admonished us
to listen carefully, to sing well, and to ask questions ....
"We learned the words of the song by rote, and the
meaning or story of each song was made clear to us. 'Joseph Smith's
First Prayer' brought to us the story of the restoration of the gospel
and the story of his life was made most impressive. 'Come, Come, Ye
Saints' opened the door to the richness of pioneer achievement, faith,
and loyalty ....
"A testimony of Joseph Smith's divine calling, of the
authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and above all, the reality of our
Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, were the blessings derived
from the family song and story hour." My father further wrote: "My heart
is filled with gratitude to my angel mother for... teaching me the
doctrines of repentance, faith, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
She taught me the power and blessing of prayer, of the actual existence
of the Father and the Son, and that Joseph Smith saw and talked to them
when a boy fourteen years of age.
"We knew from her teaching that our Prophet saw other
heavenly messengers..., and that through them the Church of Jesus Christ
was restored to the earth." (Spiritually Strong Homes And Families:
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 1993)
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I am grateful for the power of the choir, the power of
music to introduce a spirit of reverence and worship." Elder Boyd K.
packer, Ensign, November 1992
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"Our sacrament meetings should
be worshipful and healing, restoring those who attend to spiritual
soundness. Part of this healing process occurs as we worship through
music and song. Singing our beautiful, worshipful hymns is food for our
souls. We become of one heart and one mind when we sing praises to the
Lord. Among other influences, worshiping in song has the effect of
spiritually unifying the participants in an attitude of reverence." (Spiritual Healing: Elder James E. Faust, April 1992)
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“Music is of enormous importance in our worship services.
I believe that those who choose, conduct, present, and accompany the
music may influence the spirit of reverence in our meetings more than a
speaker does.”
Boyd K. Packer (Ensign, Nov. 1991, p. 22)
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"Music is of enormous importance in our worship
services. I believe that those who choose, conduct, present, and
accompany the music may influence the spirit of reverence in our
meetings more than a speaker does. God bless them.
"Music can set an atmosphere of
worship which invites that spirit of revelation, of testimony. We are
told in the handbook that "music and musical texts are to be sacred,
dignified, and otherwise suitable for a Latter-day Saint meeting"
(General Handbook of Instructions, 1989, p. 2-5) and that "organs and
pianos are the standard instruments used in sacrament meetings. Other
instruments, such as orchestral strings, may be used when appropriate,
but the music must be in keeping with the reverence and spirituality of
the meeting. Brass and percussion instruments generally are not
appropriate" (Handbook for Church Music, p. 17).
"An organist who has the sensitivity to quietly play
prelude music from the hymnbook tempers our feelings and causes us to go
over in our minds the lyrics which teach the peaceable things of the
kingdom. If we will listen, they are teaching the gospel, for the hymns
of the Restoration are, in fact, a course in doctrine!
"I have noticed that an increasing number of our
leaders and members do not sing the congregational songs. Perhaps they
do not know them or there are not enough hymnbooks. We should sing the
songs of Zion-they are an essential part of our worship. We must not
neglect the hymns nor the exalted anthems of the Restoration. Read the
First Presidency's introduction in the hymnbook. The Lord said, "My soul
delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a
prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their
heads" (D&C 25:12). Do not let our sacred music slip away from us, nor
allow secular music to replace it. (Reverence Invites Revelation: Elder
Boyd K. Packer, October 1991)
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"Revitalize your weekly worship.
When you sing the hymns, for instance, ponder the meaning of the words,
enjoy the spirit of the music. Sing with enthusiasm without regard to
your tones. You will have a good feeling, and your spirit will be
enlivened; and as you join with the Saints in the songs of the heart,
the Lord promises to answer this with blessings upon your head (see D&C
25:12). (The Voice Is Still Small: Elder Graham W. Doxey, October 1991)
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"...Sing enthusiastic praises to
God. As we sing wholeheartedly, reaffirming our love for the Savior, we
can feel the Spirit. I must admit that I'm the world's worst singer. In
junior high school, my music teacher said to me, "Mack, do us a favor
and just move your lips when you try to sing." But I still try, and I
feel the Spirit when I sing. It's a blessing available to all of us."
(Sunday Worship Service: Elder W. Mack Lawrence, April 1991)
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"Use music. Using recorded hymns
or singing the songs of Zion with or to the Saints in their homes, as
prompted, will always bring the Spirit of the Lord (see D&C 25:12,
Matthew 26:30, Colossians 3:16, 1 Samuel 16:23). For example:
A priesthood leader said with a smile, "I could never
sing, I have a terrible voice. But we were prompted to do so. My voice
was as the voice of an angel." The less-active man wept and returned to
the Church.
A home teacher said, "I sang with his children. The
crusty old fellow cried and humbled himself for the first time in
years." (Inviting Others To "Come Unto Christ": Elder Gene R. Cook,
October 1988)
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"As deacons and teachers we sat
on the first row, prepared to pass the sacrament. I recall how shiny the
bread trays appeared, and the individual glass cups for the water
sparkled. Everything about the sacrament table, including the linen, was
immaculate and ready on time.
"Everyone was expected to sing the special sacrament
hymn. Everyone did sing. Children were trained not only to be reverent
but to know some of the words of the most familiar sacrament songs. I
can still see Sister Ella Jack, who led the music, standing in full view
between the sacrament table and piano, as she would pause and look over
the congregation to be sure everyone had a songbook and was ready to
sing. She gave special attention to see that the Aaronic Priesthood boys
had songbooks. We would all sing. We were learning in our youth that to
feel of the Spirit we must experience a change in our hearts, and to be
in harmony on this sacred occasion required our singing the sacrament
hymns. As we personally sang the words, our souls were better prepared
to understand this sacred ordinance. At the Last Supper the early
Apostles joined with the Savior in singing. Matthew records, "And when
they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." (Matt.
26:30.)
"And as we would sing in that sacrament meeting
In humility, our Savior,
Grant thy Spirit here, we pray;
As we bless the bread and water
In thy name, this holy day.
Let me not forget, O Savior,
Thou didst bleed and die for me
When thy heart was stilled and broken
On the cross at Calvary.
Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving;
Teach us tolerance and love;
Let our prayers find access to thee
In thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy
Of thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain thy presence;
Let thy glory round us shine.
(Hymns, no. 49.)
"These words would be impressed upon our hearts because
we had actually sung them. There come to one's soul heavenly thoughts as
he joins in heavenly expressions coupled with heavenly melody." (The
Sacrament: Elder David B. Haight, April 1983)
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"Every sacrament meeting ought
to be a spiritual feast. It ought to be a time for meditation and
introspection, a time for singing songs of praise to the Lord, a time of
renewing one's covenants with him and our Eternal Father, and a time for
hearing the word of the Lord with reverence and appreciation.
"If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with
music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." (D&C
136:28; italics added.) (The Priesthood Of Aaron: President Gordon B.
Hinckley, October 1982)
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"It has been said that the poets
stand next to the prophets in their ability to lift us up. I have never
heard of Eliza R. Snow being sustained as a prophet, and yet she wrote
"O My Father." Sometimes we merely read these great lyrics out of the
hymnbook instead of memorizing them and loving them and frequently
saying them over to ourselves. Just think what would happen in the world
if each person made his own selection of those ninety great poems of
faith that most thrill him." (The Poetry Of Success: Elder Sterling W.
Sill, April 1978)
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"The hymns that we sing have an
influence for good upon our lives. The music of the Tabernacle Choir
has a faith-promoting and cultural influence upon the listeners. The
spirit with which the Choir sings the words and melodies of our own
hymns and of compositions by other inspired people creates a desire upon
those who listen or participate to serve the Lord. The inspired hymns
that we sing in our congregations are prayers and songs of rejoicing
unto our Lord." (Being "Anxiously Engaged": Elder Joseph Anderson, April
1978)
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"When I was a boy, twelve years of age,
my father took me to a meeting of the priesthood of the stake in which
we lived. I sat on the back row while he, as president of the stake, sat
on the stand. At the opening of that meeting, the first of its kind I
had ever attended, three or four hundred men stood. They were men from
varied backgrounds and many vocations, but each had in his hand the same
conviction, out of which together they sang these great words:
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall, extol him, and nations revere.
(Hymns no. 147.)
"Something happened within me as I heard those men of
faith sing. There came into my boyish heart a knowledge, placed there by
the Holy Spirit, that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of the Almighty.
In the many years that have since passed, years in which I have read
much of his words and works, that knowledge has grown stronger and ever
more certain. Mine has been the privilege of bearing witness across this
nation from sea to shining sea, and on continents north and south, east
and west, that he was and is a prophet of God, a mighty servant and
testifier of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Great is his glory and endless his priesthood:
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
(Hymns, no. 147.)
"That testimony I reaffirm to you this day, as I also
affirm that he who presides at this conference is the legal successor to
him of whom I have spoken. I know that, and I leave my testimony in the
name of him of whom Joseph Smith was a witness and of whom I also am a
witness, even the Lord, Jesus Christ." (Joseph The Seer: Elder Gordon B.
Hinckley, April 1977)
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"This is what I would teach you.
Choose from among the sacred music of the Church a favorite hymn, one
with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes
you feel something akin to inspiration. Go over it in your mind
carefully. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training,
you can think through a hymn.
"Now, use this hymn as the place for you thoughts to
go. Make it your emergency channel. Whenever you find these shady actors
have slipped from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your
mind, put on this record, as it were. As the music begins and as the
words form in your thoughts, the unworthy ones will slip shamefully
away. It will change the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because
it is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will disappear. For while
virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate
the presence of light.
"In due time you will find yourself, on occasion,
humming the music inwardly. As you retrace your thoughts, you discover
some influence from the world about you encouraged an unworthy thought
to move on stage in your mind, and the music almost automatically began.
(To Young Men Only, Boyd K. Packer, October 1976)
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"Inspiring music may fill the
soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak
peace to the soul. When Saul was troubled with an evil spirit, David
played for him with his harp and Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit
departed. (See 1 Sam. 16:23.) Elder Boyd K. Packer has wisely suggested
memorizing some of the inspiring songs of Zion and then, when the mind
is afflicted with temptations, to sing aloud, to keep before your mind
the inspiring words and thus crowd out the evil thoughts. This could
also be done to crowd out debilitating, depressive thoughts." ( Do Not
Despair: President Ezra Taft Benson, October 1974)
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"This is what I would teach you.
Choose from among the sacred music of the Church a favorite hymn, one
with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes
you feel something akin to inspiration. Remember President Lee's
counsel; perhaps I Am A Child of God" would do. Go over it in your mind
carefully. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training,
you can think through a hymn.
"Now, use this hymn as the place for your thoughts to
go. Make it your emergency channel. Whenever you find these shady actors
have slipped from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your
mind, put on this record, as it were.
"As the music begins and as the words form in your
thoughts, the unworthy ones will slip shamefully away. It will change
the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because it is uplifting and
clean, the baser thoughts will disappear. For while virtue, by choice,
will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of
light." (Inspiring Music—worthy Thoughts: Elder Boyd K. Packer, October
1973)
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"My beloved brothers and
sisters, I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the spirit of this
day and especially that I have been preceded by these lovely Primary
sisters. The Primary has meant so much to me in my responsibilities of
the past few years, and their singing has given me the peace and feeling
that I need at this moment." (Courts Of Love: Elder Robert L. Simpson,
April 1972)
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"I was touched by the story of
one highly successful business executive who recently responded
graciously and humbly to a call to serve in his elders quorum
presidency. Upon being asked the direct question: "What brought you
back?" he responded, "Well, I have never told anyone before, but this is
what happened:
"One morning while shaving, I overheard my six-year-old
son singing from the next room. He was singing a little song I had heard
him sing dozens of times before, 'I Am a Child of God'; but somehow that
morning when he came to the part that says, 'Lead me, guide me, walk
beside me, Help me find the way,' I had the feeling that he was singing
directly to me. I just stood there and listened. Within seconds, my
whole life seemed to pass in review; and it really came home with full
force that some changes had to be made, especially when he came to the
part, 'Teach me all that I must do. To live with him some day.'"
"This good man confesses today that these simple words
from the lips of his own child reached his heart as a personal plea. The
plea was from a child of God who had been placed in his custody to be
delivered back some day into Heavenly Father's presence. He concluded
his answer to this question by stating that he decided then and there
that he had something important to do, something more important than
anything else in the world for a little fellow who still loved his daddy
in spite of many personal failings....
"While on the subject of church songs, let me tell you
briefly about a man who was attending a patio party one Sunday afternoon
at the home of a business associate who happened to live next door to an
LDS meetinghouse. As the sacrament meeting got underway, the strains of
the organ could be clearly heard over the back fence and seemed to be
somewhat incongruous to the tinkle of ice being placed in the cocktail
glasses. There were some uncomplimentary jokes and the usual snide
remarks about religious fanatics, when all of a sudden the strains of
the opening song broke the warm summer afternoon air. It was "Come, Come
Ye Saints." The party tempo was warming up, and by now, the church music
was all but unnoticed—unnoticed by all but one, a man whose grandmother
had walked across the plains pulling a handcart. His mind withdrew from
the party. For the first time in many years, he spent some minutes in
sincere reflection concerning his birthright.
"About ten minutes later, the sacrament song came
drifting across the back fence. Unknowingly, a chorister, inspired in
her calling, I am sure, had selected, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."
And way down deep, he knew it, too, but it had been a long, long time.
From that moment on, he was attending a patio party in body, but
mentally and spiritually he was far above and beyond his environment of
the moment.
"It was almost an hour later, just about the time that
he had lapsed back into the party mood, when the closing song, "We Thank
Thee, O God, For a Prophet," reached his ear and mellowed his heart to
the point of submission. Isn't it odd that a man should start his way
back while attending a cocktail party? "The Lord moves in a mysterious
way, His wonders to perform." Incidentally, that man is probably here in
this meeting today, a fine leader in the church, doing what the Lord
would have him do." (Bishop Robert L. Simpson, October 1969)
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"The other day while walking
down the street I met a good friend of mine. We shook hands and engaged
in a little pleasant small talk. We laughed, visited, joked, and had a
pleasant few minutes together. Then as I went on my way I thought how
much better I felt than I had previously done. One of the best ways to
feel the faith and enjoy the friendliness of our fellow human beings is
in church. In church the talk is very important, and we can shake hands,
feel the Spirit of God, and be uplifted by each other as we listen,
pray, and sing together out of the depths of worshiping hearts." (Elder
Sterling W. Sill, October 1969)
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"I would like to say right here
that it delights my heart to see our people everywhere improving their
talents as good singers. Everywhere we go among our people we find sweet
voices and talent for music. I believe that this is a manifestation to
us of the purpose of the Lord in this direction toward our people, that
they will excel in these things, as they should excel in every other
good thing. I can remember, when I was a young boy, hearing my father
sing. I do not know how much of a singer he was, for at that time I was
not capable of judging as to the quality of his singing, but the hymns
he sang became familiar to me in the days of my childhood.
"When we listen to this choir, we listen to music, and
music is truth. Good music is gracious praise of the Lord. It is
delightsome to the ear, and it is one of our most acceptable methods of
worshiping. And those who sing in the choir and in all the choirs of the
Saints should sing with the Spirit and with understanding. They should
not sing merely because it is a profession, or because they have a good
voice; but they should sing also because they have the spirit of it, and
can enter into the spirit of prayer and praise the Lord who gave them
their sweet voices. My soul is always lifted up, and my spirit cheered
and comforted, when I hear good music. I rejoice in it very much
indeed." ( President Joseph Fielding Smith, October 1969)
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"My dear brethren and sisters, I
made a few notes and thought I would present them here on this occasion,
but I have changed my mind after what we have heard, and I hope the Lord
will help me.
"The singing of the choir has called my attention to
the fact that there is a divine Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ..." (President Joseph Fielding Smith, October 1967)
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"A few days ago the Deseret News
carried an article about Mr. J. C. Penney. In part it said: "One night,
for example, at age 56, I [Mr. Penney] was broke, discouraged, ill in a
sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. I felt that I would never see the
dawn of another day," said Mr. Penney. "I got up and wrote farewell
letters to my wife and to my oldest son. I sealed the letters. If I did
sleep, it was not a sound sleep. I rose early, went down to the
mezzanine floor, and found the dining room was not open.
"Suddenly, over in one corner of the mezzanine, I heard
the singing of gospel hymns. The song was the old favorite, 'God Will
Take Care of You.' You can imagine how heavy my heart was when I went
in. Yet, I came out of that room that morning a changed man. Within just
a few moments my life was transformed. It was almost as if I had had a
new birth. God did take care of me. . . . And ever since, I have been
trying to fill that obligation.
"When I finally got back on firm ground, I had much
less in a material sense than I enjoyed before. But I had gained
immeasurably in spiritual wealth, for I had learned to turn to God for
guidance in all the acts and decisions of my life." (Bishop John H.
Vandenberg, October 1965)
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"My brethren and sisters, I have
been deeply impressed by the stirring and sublime messages which have
come to us during this conference, also by the singing of the choirs—for
singing, after all, is surely a part of divine worship." (Elder Alma Sonne, April 1958)
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"Brethren and sisters, I want to
join with President McKay in expressing appreciation for the very fine
singing to which we have listened today. I have often thought that we
take for granted the singing and the uplift which come to us from our
choirs, and yet we know that singing is an essential part of worship and
that we can get nearer to God when we hear these songs of Zion than we
can in any other way." (Elder Alma Sonne, October 1953)
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"My brothers and sisters, I
should like to say just a word in appreciation of this magnificent music
that we have heard, yesterday the Singing Mothers, today the singing
German Saints, and tomorrow we shall have the great Tabernacle Choir. We
are a singing people, and I am sure that the Lord loves a singing
people. God bless our singers, sweeten their voices even more sweet than
they are now, that they may sing his praises." (President J. Reuben
Clark, Jr, October 1952)
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"Yours is a singing religion and
I believe that words of religion dissolved in music soak into the human
soul better than any other way. A good hymn is a good spiritual tonic to
a sick or frightened soul. What singing I have seen here among the
Mormons, you seem to need no books. It is as if when you open your
mouths to sing the spirit entered in." (Mr. E. Kent Kane, great-grandson
of General Thomas Kane, October 1947)
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"Brother LeGrand Richards has
spoken for the Southern States Mission. Many years ago, two humble
Elders laboring in that mission were walking through the woods and
finally came out into a clearing where nestled a humble cottage, the
home of friends. Overlooking this clearing was a hill covered by large
trees. It had been a warm day. When the Elders arrived, instead of
sitting in the house they took their chairs out on the shady porch to
visit with the family. They didn't know that they were being watched or
that danger threatened. They were there as servants of the Lord. They
had come through a section of the country that was unfriendly and having
found a home where the family was friendly they were grateful to the
Lord for it.
"They were asked to sing and they selected one of our
hymns, "Do What is Right." You know the hymn. And as they sang it, even
as they started to sing it, there arrived on the brow of the hill above
them a mob of twenty horsemen. They had come there with the
determination to drive those missionaries out. As they came to the top
of the hill they heard those missionaries singing. The leader of the mob
got off his horse. He looked down among those trees and saw the roof of
the house. He could not see the Elders. They continued to sing. One by
one the men got off their horses. Gradually they removed their hats, and
when the last note had died away and the Elders had finished their
singing the men mounted their horses and rode away, and the leader said
to his companions, "Men who sing like that are not the kind of men we
have been told they are." (Elder George Albert Smith, April 1935)
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"I missed this morning, speaking
personally, the broadcast of the choir. It has seemed to me, in the
times that I have been here, that nothing has given us more of the
Spirit with which to begin a session than their beautiful singing." (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr, October 1934)
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"Having been handicapped
somewhat in this Conference in the earlier sessions—as I recently had my
tonsils removed, in fact a little over a week ago—I was unable to
participate with the audience in singing the hymns. I love to take part
in singing the Latter-day Saint sacred hymns. They surely contain Gospel
sermons and I love the beautiful harmony in them. As I stood listening
to those hymns my faith and my testimony were increased and I felt well
repaid for having attended these services. I rejoice in having this
opportunity of meeting here with you people in a General Conference. It
has been some time since this has been my privilege." (Elder Leonidas
Devon Mecham, April 1932)
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"One day my father-in-law said
to me: "Heber, for twenty long years I have listened in vain for our
choirs to sing the fourth verse of 'Come, come ye Saints.' I believe the
rising generation know nothing whatever of the comfort and cheer which
we received, while crossing the plains, from singing that pioneer hymn
or they never would be guilty of leaving off the fourth verse, which we
looked upon as a prayer." In one of the revelations to our Church we are
told by the Lord: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea,
the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered
with a blessing upon their heads." My father-in-law said that hymn was a
blessing to every one who sang it, and particularly the last verse,
which they sang, and meant every word of it:
And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! all is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow too;
With the just we shall dwell.
(President Heber J. Grant, April 1921)
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"Let me say, in conclusion, and I think very likely I
am voicing the feeling of the entire congregation, when I say it, that I
appreciate fully the effort put forth here by the Ogden tabernacle
choir, led by Brother Joseph Ballantyne. They have done most excellent
service today, and have helped to make this meeting a splendid success.
Of course, our meetings are always successful when they are conducted
under the direction of the Spirit of God, but we could not get along
without the singing. We must have good singing. We must have singing
that is tuneful, we must have singing that breathes forth the Spirit of
God; we must have singing that is in harmony. And in the singing today
we have had perfect harmony. The Lord bless the Ogden tabernacle choir,
and may he bless us all, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ." (President
Rudger Clawson, April 1920)
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"Now just one minute more. I
would like to encourage the idea in our wards and stakes of this Church,
and also outside of the Church, of that which is being encouraged in the
east very extensively, and that is community singing, congregational
singing. I do not object to solos. We had some here this morning—never
any better anywhere in the world. They were very fine. I love to hear
them. But solos may be overdone. As a rule people love to sing. There is
something in the spirit of song when you can get the people to join in
it, even though some of us can't sing so well, that gives forth an
inspiration which cannot be otherwise found. When we all sing together
there is a spirit, an influence and a power—an inspirational power—that
goes with it, that fires the soul in a way that it can't otherwise be
touched or fired. So this spirit of comradeship, which the war is very
largely responsible for in the east, has taken hold of the people, and
they are getting together all classes of nationalities, blending
together their voices and singing patriotic songs and other songs.
"Especially in our congregations of the Saints, we
should have more of congregational singing. We should bring our hymn
books to meeting with us and then sing, have everybody sing, and
everybody will feel the better for it. And let me advise our leaders of
choirs—if I may presume that much—to try when they do have selections in
"Mormon" meetings, that they choose such selections as fit the occasion.
A number of the leading brethren attended a meeting some time ago, at
which meeting I was present, and the brother who was presiding had a
slip of paper in his hand. I happened to sit next to him. There were
these prominent brethren of the Church at a Latter-day Saint meeting,
although there were quite a number present who were not Latter-day
Saints, but it was a "Mormon" meeting for "Mormon" purposes. I looked
over his list of songs on the paper that he held in his hand, which had
been handed to him by the choir leader, and not one of them had the
least reference to "Mormon" thought, "Mormon" ideas, or "Mormon"
anything about it. Well, I don't believe that is just right.
"I have seen, too, some of our brethren, leaders of
choirs, select a soloist who will come forward—someone with a good
voice, who is capable of good singing—who will get up in a "Mormon"
meeting and commence to sing "My Rosary." Well now, "My Rosary" is fine
music and a good song for a Catholic meeting, but it is entirely out of
place in a "Mormon" meeting. That song recites how "I count my beads and
kiss my cross," and all that sort of thing. Well, I don't do either, I
don't believe in doing either, and you don't believe in it. So a song
like that is entirely out of place in a "Mormon" meeting, as much so, I
think, as it would be to sing "We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to
guide us in these Latter days," in a Catholic meeting.
"Then I have heard a soloist brought in who would sing
a song entirely at variance from our religious thought. Perhaps it would
be the song "Without One Stain," the idea being that "Jesus has done
everything; he has cleansed me; I haven't done anything myself, but I am
going right up without one stain." I have thought: Yes, you will! Not if
He knows it, you won't. There are too many stains on people who have not
by sincere and heartfelt repentance cleansed themselves from stains.
Such a song, therefore, is entirely out of place in a "Mormon" meeting.
And you will hear, as one of the brethren suggests, the song about "The
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." Well, yes, that is in line with the same
thought. They do not belong and should not have place in our meetings.
"Now, my brethren and sisters, my time is up, I see,
and this is my third sermon. Let us have more of community singing,
congregational singing. Let us sing songs of Zion. They carry with them
a spirit and an influence, not only in "Mormon" meetings, but in others,
that cannot be found anywhere else, and they thrill the soul as nothing
else will touch it and thrill it. Invite our neighbors to our meetings
that they also may enjoy the spirit of song with us. God bless you.
Amen." (Bishop Charles W. Nibley, October 1917)
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"It is wonderful to stand in the
presence of this great gathering of Latter-day Saints. It is wonderful
to hear the united voice of the congregation in the songs of Zion,
singing as they do with such spirit and power." (Elder Rudger Clawson;
April 1917)
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"How can we make our meetings
attractive? Why, by going there and filling up the meetinghouse. Let
there be no empty benches, for they are very discouraging to the
speaker. Let us feel that every one of us owes it to his fellow
worshipers to go to the house of prayer and occupy his seat there, thus
helping to make a large meeting, and by doing so giving more support to
him who shall address us. Again, we open our meetings by singing, and
singing is elevating and refining, it encourages us to faithfulness,
especially when the music is accompanied by words of godliness, such as
are contained in our hymns. We want to encourage good singing in our
meetings. We have a great many excellent choirs throughout Zion, and I
wish to say to the bishops, encourage good choirs; have men that can
lead them, and get some of your good singers together in the choir, thus
giving joy to the Saints, and at the same time making the meetings more
attractive. In the larger settlements it is not so difficult to have a
choir, but in smaller settlements it is, perhaps, not so easy to get
together brethren and sisters who can sing, or to get a competent
leader; yet the bishops ought to do what they can along this line. If
you haven't a chorister, try to induce such a one to move into your
ward, even if you have to give him, some advantages. It may be that you
have a school teacher who can teach music and thus help you to make a
choir; but, by all means, try to have good singing in your meetings."
(President Anthon H. Lund, October 1916)
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"I could not help but think of
this part of the revelation in listening to the beautiful hymns that
have been sung during this conference. I believe that we can worship in
song as acceptably to Him as in any other way. In reading the history of
the world we find that music has been conspicuous, in all ages and among
all nations. There are but few religious denominations that do not avail
themselves of the sweet influence of music. It is not only a custom to
worship God by singing His praises in song, but we find the power of
music manifest in almost all the great affairs in life. It is made use
of to encourage and inspire men in battle. It is depended upon on
occasions when there is necessity for inspiring in the hearts of men
enthusiasm or loyalty. The history of nations is, in part, told in song.
I know of no people on earth who have written into their songs the
principles of the gospel they believe in more than have the Latter-day
Saints. It is true there are many beautiful hymns written by men that
all Christians love to sing, and we sing them in devotion to our Maker.
We often sing the hymn composed by Charles Wesley entitled, "Jesus Lover
of My Soul." It is said that Charles Wesley was inspired to write this
greatest of his hymns by a bird, frightened by a thunder storm, flying
into his room, preferring to risk its life indoors with him than outside
where the elements were disturbed. As it sat quivering on his mantel,
frightened nearly to death, Wesley was inspired to write that hymn.
Henry Ward Beecher, speaking at his father's funeral, referred to the
hymn that had been composed by Charles Wesley, "Jesus Lover of My Soul,"
and made the statement that he would rather have been the author of that
song than to have the wealth of the greatest millionaire, for in it was
inspiration, in it was power. While wealth would perish and its
possessor be forgotten, the memory of Wesley would live for ages to
come, because the words of the song would be perpetuated." (Elder Reed
Smoot, October 1912)
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"Just a word of criticism in
relation to singing, although I do not pose as a musician or a singer.
In my traveling among the Saints, I have observed in some quarters that
there is a disposition to displace the Latter-day Saint hymns with
sectarian songs, which have been composed by those who know not the
gospel, and not, in every instance, are the sentiments expressed in
those songs in harmony with the truth. It is a matter of embarrassment
to call our peoples' attention on such occasions to the necessity for
culling out those hymns which do not express the truth, in which we can
pour out our souls and sing with meaning and heart to the Lord, such as
will meet with His approval and call down a blessing upon us. I suppose
that some of our brethren, choir leaders, would say that these hymns are
old, that we want something new, something full of life and vim. I want
to call attention to the fact that that which is dearer to as than all
else, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is not new. There is nothing
with which we have to do that is older than the gospel; there is nothing
dearer. Do we love our fathers and our mothers less because of their
age, because they are getting old? No; and I tell you that these hymns,
which have been selected by inspiration from the Lord, they are never
tiring to the Latter-day Saints. They contain valuable sermons, and the
people like to hear them, and we ought not to tire in singing them. Even
in vocal solos there are some in our hymn books, such as "O, my Father,"
"The Seer," "Come, come ye Saints," and others that cannot be outdone or
improved upon. I think it would be nice for our singers to try and
arrange beautiful music to these beautiful words of praise and prayer to
God. I know it would be edifying and appreciated by the Latter-day
Saints, especially since we are adopting as a practice in the Church,
more universally, congregational singing.
"I desire to call attention of the bishops of the
wards, and the choir leaders, to the fact that there is much talent
among the Latter-day Saints which is dormant, which ought to be
developing, and which should be encouraged among the young people. That
is the time, while people are young, to develop the talent, and to
utilize the abilities of those who are specially gifted. They should be
encouraged to use, to a greater degree, the talent which God has given
to them. I recognize that all talents are God-given. This would enable
the Saints more universally to join in congregational singing. Unto the
people I would say, when you are solicited to join with the choirs of
the Church to sing these hymns, you ought to feel that it is a mission,
and feel that you are honored, to be called to sing in the congregations
of the Saints the hymns inspired of the Lord. This is a very important
feature of the worship of the Latter-day Saints." (Elder George F.
Richards, October 1911)
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"I want to say to you that I believe we are most
profoundly influenced by the songs which we sing. Some writer has said,
in substance, that if you will show me the songs which a people or a
community sing, then I will tell you the character of that community.
There is much truth in this statement." (Elder Rudger Clawson, April
1907)
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"I will tell you how I have done
in Cache Stake. For the past year we have not had one High Council
trial. We have selected brethren and sent them to parties having
difficulty and trouble, and I have said to the brethren, Go and sing the
songs of Zion to them. "Well, how many times shall we sing?" "Well, sing
once, and then pray; sing again, and continue to sing until the Spirit
of the Lord is there, and you can feel that there is a softening." I
tell you, it has had excellent results. The difficulties have been
settled by the parties themselves. Their hearts have been softened, and
they have concluded to arrange their own troubles...
"While it is proper for the Presidency and High Council
to meet, and to sing and pray together, the same rule will apply to the
Bishopric of every ward. Have these meetings weekly; and do not let some
trilling thing keep you from them. One Bishopric said to me that not one
of them could sing. I suggested that they call in somebody who could
sing; and if they could not get anybody let them sing the best they
could themselves. Do the best you can, and the Lord will accept it. Sing
and pray, and talk over the affairs of the ward. Just as sure as you
will adopt this policy and carry it out, you will be benefactors to the
ward and a blessing to the people. Your minds will be led out in the
interest of the people; and when they see you have their welfare at
heart they will be willing to come to you for counsel." (Elder Marriner
W. Merrill, April 1901)
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