blooit Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 As I walked into priesthood opening exercises today, I watched 50+ Melchizedek priesthood holders mumble the opening hymn. In fact, it wasn't until I had almost reached my seat that I realized that it wasn't just prelude music.I remember when Gladys Knight said something to the effect of how she knew the church was true, but still couldn't stand the music. I gave her a big baptist AMEN for that. Ok - so seriously. I think we need a little more enthusiasm. I could bear three hour meetings a lot better if we got a little pumped. I don't need a rock band and holy rolling, but some excitement could be good. I am concerned that we overemphasize reverence, and fear that emotion might take over for the spirit. I think it is important to recognize that emotion can play a part in the spirit. Not only that, but a look at Mormon history (I believe) reveals an early liberalism when it came to music and enthusiasm.Consider:1) Why do we mumble the "Hosanna Shout"? If you read the early descriptions, this was meant to be a SHOUT - a cry out to God from the depths of the soul.2) Why do we rarely sing out? In most areas, Mormons have very little connection with the hymns they sing. Many of those hymns were "cutting edge" when the hymn book was first put together. Maybe a little contemporary music in the hymn book could help.3) Listen to the early prophets, even those we only have audio for, and the textual descriptions of early preaching. It was animated and emotional. Man I miss that! As late as Bruce R. McKonkie, booming from the pulpit was still a big part of preaching, top to bottom.Is it possible that this lack of emotion / enthusiasm, lessens our enthusiasm for the work? I think it does. There's nothing like a great pep-talk to get me going, and once I get going, the testimony follows. Gladys Knight hit it on the head when she said basically that Mormons think crying is the only emotion connected with the Spirit, but truly the Spirit should also make you want to clap, shout, laugh, and get moving.“I want to shout it from the mountain tops! I want to tell everybody about the Lord and his wonderful truths. I’m so excited to be a member of this church that my friends have to calm me down.” http://www.ldsgenesisgroup.org/suvchoir.htmlI realize that there are limits to how far this should go, but I do wonder if we have gone too far to the side of reverence, and not enough toward this side of enthusiasm - and "valiant worship." 1
Freedom Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 We have a great musician in our ward who, during a less than rousing hymn in priesthood opening exercises, will stop us and have us start again. I think mumbling a hymn is irreverent and disrespectful. They are to be sung.
TAO Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) Yeah, it is not good to mumble them... they are supposed to be... strong =).On the other hand, I LOVE they hymns, and hum them or sing them to myself all the time =D. One of my favorites is Peace Peace Be Still, actually.I have also noticed certain wards doing special musical numbers occasionally, and that helps alot. Some of the music is really good actually. I don't know if all wards will want to do that... but I have to admit I have liked it quite a bit =). Edited January 9, 2012 by TAO
Nominee Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 My ward loves to sing! And the men as much as the women. I say put the diction out there yourself! Raise the bar! Expand the comfort zone for others! Respectfully~ Reverently, of course.
Storm Rider Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Each ward is governed or directed by their Bishop. Each Bishop calls people to positions of leadership. If these individuals accept this type of lackluster singing without correction, then the ward suffers. Each ward is empowered to strive for holiness and to be lead in holiness. Nothing brings more holiness to a meeting than a hymn well sung and speakers that speak with the Spirit. I do think that WASPs suffer from any ability to celebrate. They seem inable to rejoice during holidays, special events; heck, they cannot even dance. Gone are the days when people, neighbors, would get together and have a dance or sing songs together. The ability to rejoice has long since be lost and we have chosen to reduce ourselves to workers only. I continue to hope that we may learn from our Latino brothers and sisters, who retain a great ability to rejoice, to teach us and that we will learn from them. We just cannot seem to let our hair down anymore.
Nominee Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Each ward is governed or directed by their Bishop. Each Bishop calls people to positions of leadership. If these individuals accept this type of lackluster singing without correction, then the ward suffers. Each ward is empowered to strive for holiness and to be lead in holiness. Nothing brings more holiness to a meeting than a hymn well sung and speakers that speak with the Spirit.I do think that WASPs suffer from any ability to celebrate. They seem inable to rejoice during holidays, special events; heck, they cannot even dance. Gone are the days when people, neighbors, would get together and have a dance or sing songs together. The ability to rejoice has long since be lost and we have chosen to reduce ourselves to workers only. I continue to hope that we may learn from our Latino brothers and sisters, who retain a great ability to rejoice, to teach us and that we will learn from them. We just cannot seem to let our hair down anymore.Hey! I'm a WASP! I can sing and dance and have block parties. Sometimes my socks don't even match my shirts!
Calm Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 We have a great musician in our ward who, during a less than rousing hymn in priesthood opening exercises, will stop us and have us start again. I think mumbling a hymn is irreverent and disrespectful. They are to be sung.Maybe it's something about Canadians. This happened in our Canadian ward as well on rare occasions during Sacrament Meeting, I would not be the least surprised to hear it was much more common with him in Priesthood.
frankenstein Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 In my experience caucazoids as a group are not good singers by nature. I always laugh during hymns because the singing is humdrum and borders on melancholy.
Darth_Bill Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Or it could be that some people don't like singing, or that we depend on others being even slightly in tune and if they aren't, they can't carry pitch. I used to sing in choir in school but I was ill for so long on my mission that my lungs got so screwed up that I don't even try.
Storm Rider Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Hey! I'm a WASP! I can sing and dance and have block parties. Sometimes my socks don't even match my shirts! Yes, but can you sing and dance at the same time?
Lost in Ohio Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I know one of the things that keeps the volume down in priesthood opening exercises in our ward is the fact that there is a ward having sacrament meeting on the other side of the folding partition. Typically they are in the process of taking the sacrament by the time we start to sing and we've been asked to keep the volume down.
thesometimesaint Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 The songs are great, but we really need to do is "Pick up the Beat". They're not funeral dirges.
blackstrap Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 With some speakers,even in General Conference,I feel that I am at a funeral.There is little if any enthusiasm in the delivery.I wonder what Brigham would have sounded like.Or Orson Pratt. 1
oremites Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 ... I could bear three hour meetings a lot better if we got a little pumped. ...You make good points, but I'd like to change that sentence just a little - I could bear three hour meetings a lot better if I got a little pumped.If you think the singing in a group lacks enthusiasm then start singing with enthusiasm. If you think talks lack enthusiasm, then the next time you get a chance to talk, give it with enthusiasm. Start participating in classes with enthusiasm. If you keep setting the example, others will follow. That's the only way to change things.And I agree with you 100%, Mormon meetings definitely need more enthusiasm.
bluebell Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I wonder if there is correlation between bad hymn singing and too much of a focus on reverence? Personally, i don't see the two as connected. Some groups are just really bad at singing hymns (they are uncomfortable, don't know the hymns very well, don't like to sing, etc.) but that same group can be really good at being too loud before sacrament meeting begins, for example (something that seems to keep occurring no matter how many warnings we get about the need for reverence in the chapel). 1
Lightbearer Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I realize that there are limits to how far this should go, but I do wonder if we have gone too far to the side of reverence, and not enough toward this side of enthusiasm - and "valiant worship."I think it is a lack of reverence that causes the "lack of enthusiasm" in fact I think the biggest problem in the Church today is a lack of reverence. Perhaps the reason for the lackluster singing is because of a lack of knowing the hymns (when do we ever get the chance to practice them unless we go to choir practice) and I believe if the people really feel the spirit they will sing with enthusiasm. I do not think modern "Christian Rock" is the answer because to me it is rather offensive in a Sacrament Meeting setting. In fact hymns such as "Praise to the Man" and "The Spirit of God like a fire" are very rousing and when done right can result in an outpouring of the spirit of the Lord. No we do not need to Pentacostalize the Church music department, but perhaps more practice is for all the Saints is in order, in fact perhaps the prelude music could be used as an opportunity for such general pracitce rather than the Saints gossiping and speaking loudly in the chapel before the services.Perhaps choir practice could be instituted before Sacrament meeting begins formally, that would be killing two birds with one stone.When the Saints realize that music is actually part of worship maybe they will make a greater attempt at doing it well. I personally believe it is a vital part of our worship and in fact my testimony was gained through music of the Restoration. No greater way to gain the spirit of reverence is possible than through music.
Calm Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 but I was ill for so long on my mission that my lungs got so screwed up that I don't even try.Ever since I had pleurisy, I haven't been able to sing much more than one verse at full throttle without feeling a rawness starting to appear so I have to dial back. Very disappointing because hymns are one of my favourite things about church.
LeSellers Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 When the Saints realize that music is actually part of worship maybe they will make a greater attempt at doing it well. I personally believe it is a vital part of our worship and in fact my testimony was gained through music of the Restoration. No greater way to gain the spirit of reverence is possible than through music. 12 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.Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.A "joyful noise" is the best I can do.I have perhaps a hundred or so hymns memorized (the words, not the music), and rarely use a hymn book because I find them distracting. But as well as I'd like to sing, the closest I get is not disrupting my Jacquie's singing.Lehi
Senator Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Congregational singing does little for me.However, musical performances like this moves me a great deal!!
Kenngo1969 Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Hey! I'm a WASP! I can sing and dance and have block parties. Sometimes my socks don't even match my shirts! You irreverent Rebel, you!
Nominee Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Yes, but can you sing and dance at the same time? At the same time?! No, seriously, who does that?
Nominee Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 You irreverent Rebel, you! I'm reverent in church, my socks match on Sundays and I don't laugh loudly either.
blooit Posted January 10, 2012 Author Posted January 10, 2012 I think it is a lack of reverence that causes the "lack of enthusiasm" in fact I think the biggest problem in the Church today is a lack of reverence. Perhaps the reason for the lackluster singing is because of a lack of knowing the hymns (when do we ever get the chance to practice them unless we go to choir practice) and I believe if the people really feel the spirit they will sing with enthusiasm. I do not think modern "Christian Rock" is the answer because to me it is rather offensive in a Sacrament Meeting setting. In fact hymns such as "Praise to the Man" and "The Spirit of God like a fire" are very rousing and when done right can result in an outpouring of the spirit of the Lord. No we do not need to Pentacostalize the Church music department, but perhaps more practice is for all the Saints is in order, in fact perhaps the prelude music could be used as an opportunity for such general pracitce rather than the Saints gossiping and speaking loudly in the chapel before the services.Perhaps choir practice could be instituted before Sacrament meeting begins formally, that would be killing two birds with one stone.When the Saints realize that music is actually part of worship maybe they will make a greater attempt at doing it well. I personally believe it is a vital part of our worship and in fact my testimony was gained through music of the Restoration. No greater way to gain the spirit of reverence is possible than through music.I think you have a point. Maybe I could phrase it better by saying "an overemphasis on what they see as reverence." Reverence is not necessarily quiet. I can tell you that the kids in my ward shout louder than their parents sing - by far.I'm talking about more than singing though - attitude in general - including preaching, lessons, about everything.
Storm Rider Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 At the same time?! No, seriously, who does that? Quakers did, but rather than a graceful dance it could become a little shaky. 1
Bernard Gui Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 A clever organist can get the congregation to sing louder. Bernard
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