Can We Mormons Get Our Groove On?

[mormonnewb]

I'm excited about the 2014 later start time for our three-hour block. It will allow me to sneak back to black church before sacrament to get my groove on. Specifically, I'm looking forward to clapping my hands and stomping my feet to some good old gospel music.

Now, don't get me wrong. Over the last few years, I've gotten used to my ward family mumbling through the hymns. I even mumble along myself sometimes.

Seriously, I understand how the hymns can be beautiful, but my question is whether anyone thinks there is room for other beautiful music as well? Would it be possible for us to move beyond just hymns or would that bring about the second great apostasy?

Edited December 30, 2013 by mormonnewb

[mercyngrace]

I would LOVE it. I grew up singing gospel music - country at home and then soul in the gospel choir at school.

 

I had so much fun singing with some Pentacostals we taught on my mission that their pastor took pity on me and gave me a copy of their hymnal. There is so much good music out there which uplifts and inspires, even if it doesn't fit our traditional style.

[boblloyd91]

Hate to say it but LDS meetings tend to usually be on the calmer side (actually I don't mind too much) and they have pretty strict guidelines of what is and isn't allowed. What you could do I guess is jam to some EFY music, but choose carefully!

[aspire]

Oh how I would LOVE to hear and see vibrant gospel music sung in sacrament. LDS hymns in most wards are sung as if making a "joyful noise unto The Lord," is a mortal sin.

[mormonnewb]

Hate to say it but LDS meetings tend to usually be on the calmer side (actually I don't mind too much) and they have pretty strict guidelines of what is and isn't allowed. What you could do I guess is jam to some EFY music, but choose carefully!

It's certainly fine that all churches have their own styles, but I'm wondering out loud if we might need to loosen our collars so to speak given that we view ourselves as the "one true church." It's okay for, say, a Baptist church to say, "Hey, this is just how we do things here. If you're looking for something different, there's another church down the street." But that isn't our doctrine. As we see it, there is no other church that has the fullness of the Gospel.

Given that viewpoint, do we have an obligation to make our services more inviting to others? For example, should an inner city church consisting largely of converts not be allowed to worship in a way that is more natural to them? Or is there just one type of worship that Heavenly Father will accept as legitimate?

Edited December 30, 2013 by mormonnewb

[Kenngo1969]

Well, we do have Gladys Knight.  

[BlueDreams]

Yep. Definitely. You'd just have to go to genesis in UT to see that's very feasible (they meet at the beginning of each month). But special musical numbers have been especially good as well. I was also apart of a non-profit group that did LDS firesides in Gospel-style inspired songs. Personally, from what I've seen, it's about the ward makeup and talents found within it. One ward I went to sung loud and out every sunday. There was no such thing as a dull hymn. And their special musical numbers were astounding. But they had a disproportionate amount of people who grew up with singing culturally or were singers themselves. Etc. But getting a group used to assuming reverence must entail quiet to suddenly get up and clap and throw their hands in praise may be pushing it . It takes some getting used to. 

 

With luv,

BD

[Duncan]

I used to have a cassette tape of the Mo-Tab from like 1960 singing "bringing in the sheaves" which is a barn storming religious song if I do say so myself, wish we could sing that every once in a while

[Palerider]

It's certainly fine that all churches have their own styles, but I'm wondering out loud if we might need to loosen our collars so to speak given that we view ourselves as the "one true church." It's okay for, say, a Baptist church to say, "Hey, this is just how we do things here. If you're looking for something different, there's another church down the street." But that isn't our doctrine. As we see it, there is no other church that has the fullness of the Gospel.

Given that viewpoint, do we have an obligation to make our services more inviting to others? For example, should an inner city church consisting largely of converts not be allowed to worship in a way that is more natural to them? Or is there just one type of worship that Heavenly Father will accept as legitimate?

 

Having served in a Bishopric for some time, I can tell you there are some guidelines that are heavily leaned upon. That doesn't mean there isn't room for some expansion from time to time but one has to be careful how it's done.

 

From the Church handbook of instructions:

 

Guidelines for Choosing Appropriate Music for Church Worship Services

All Church music should be consistent with the following guidelines.

The hymns are the basic music for worship services and are standard for all congregational singing. In addition, other appropriate selections may be used for prelude and postlude music, choir music, and special musical presentations. If musical selections other than the hymns are used, they should be in keeping with the spirit of the hymns. Texts should be doctrinally correct. (See “Hymns for Congregations,” Hymns, 380–81.)

Secular music should not replace sacred music in Sunday meetings. Some religiously oriented music presented in a popular style is not appropriate for sacrament meetings. Also, much sacred music that is suitable for concerts and recitals is not appropriate for a Latter-day Saint worship service.

Music in Church meetings should not draw attention to itself or be for demonstration. This music is for worship, not performance.

Organs and pianos, or their electronic equivalents, are the standard instruments used in Church meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with a prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Palerider

[jcake]

Here's another one who really wishes we could have a little more diversity with our music.  

[Rob Osborn]

I have always thought how cool it would be if someone broke out an electric guitar and played a very worshipful rendition of the battle Hym of the Republic! Now that would be powerful to the spirit!

[aspire]

Well, we do have Gladys Knight.

And? There is one CD out with Sis. Knight singing hymns. She is very toned down.

[Scott Lloyd]

Well, we do have Gladys Knight.

Soon after Gladys Knight was baptized she was quoted as saying she liked everything about the Church but the music. Later, she was part of a gala in the Conference Center to celebrate President Hinckley's birthday that showcased musical excellence among the Latter-day Saints, including the Tabernacle Choir. She told the audience she had changed her mind and that she loves the music of this Church but that she just thinks it could use a bit more zip.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

And? There is one CD out with Sis. Knight singing hymns. She is very toned down.

If it's the one I'm acquainted with, it doesn't sound toned down to me. And I grew up listening to Gladys Knight and the Pips.

[Storm Rider]

Sacred music should not be limited to the hymnal; sacred music is sacred music. I don't like the idea of electric guitars or brass instruments, but I do appreciate gospel music. It would be a pleasure to allow a greater flexibility in music in Sacrament meetings.  Of course, I am one of those who still mourns the loss of the previous hymnal in exchange for the current one. We lost a lot of great music in that exchange. 

[Scott Lloyd]

Having served in a Bishopric for some time, I can tell you there are some guidelines that are heavily leaned upon. That doesn't mean there isn't room for some expansion from time to time but one has to be careful how it's done.

From the Church handbook of instructions:

Guidelines for Choosing Appropriate Music for Church Worship Services

All Church music should be consistent with the following guidelines.

The hymns are the basic music for worship services and are standard for all congregational singing. In addition, other appropriate selections may be used for prelude and postlude music, choir music, and special musical presentations. If musical selections other than the hymns are used, they should be in keeping with the spirit of the hymns. Texts should be doctrinally correct. (See “Hymns for Congregations,” Hymns, 380–81.)

Secular music should not replace sacred music in Sunday meetings. Some religiously oriented music presented in a popular style is not appropriate for sacrament meetings. Also, much sacred music that is suitable for concerts and recitals is not appropriate for a Latter-day Saint worship service.

Music in Church meetings should not draw attention to itself or be for demonstration. This music is for worship, not performance.

Organs and pianos, or their electronic equivalents, are the standard instruments used in Church meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with a prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting.

I was recently called as ward choir director. I got the notion this week to have us perform "Battle Hymn of the Republic," the Peter Wilhousky arrangement that the Tabernacle Choir does. I've been looking forward to it. But after re-reading this just now, I'm wondering now if it's appropriate for sacrament meeting. Yes, I know it's in the hymnbook, but the Wilhousky arrangement isn't.

I should mention here that our bishopric seems OK with it. They just approved the purchase of the sheet music, in fact.

Thoughts? What would have been your opinion as a bishopric member?

[Scott Lloyd]

Sacred music should not be limited to the hymnal; sacred music is sacred music. I don't like the idea of electric guitars or brass instruments, but I do appreciate gospel music. It would be a pleasure to allow a greater flexibility in music in Sacrament meetings. Of course, I am one of those who still mourns the loss of the previous hymnal in exchange for the current one. We lost a lot of great music in that exchange.

It is still acceptable to use the old hymnbook for choir selections and such.

When the new hymnbook was published in 1985, we were encouraged to retain our copies of the prior one for such purposes.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[Calm]

Our chapels are too small for this but it would be glorious in conference, IMO the organ is as 'loud':

http://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLAAB718A0CCE24C76&v=yMgGc7fus2o&feature=plpp

[Kenngo1969]

And? There is one CD out with Sis. Knight singing hymns. She is very toned down.

With due respect, you think she picks up a phone and calls 50 East South Temple every time she's deciding what her next project should be?  I highly doubt it.  That's largely a commercial decision.  It's driven by commercial considerations.  I don't think anyone has put a muzzle on Sister Knight.

[blooit]

We are so infatuated with reverence that we miss out on the "happier" side of the gospel IMHO.  I wish we would actually shout the Hosanna Shout, and give a loud amen when appropriate.  I wish we sang like our hair was on fire.  Much like we should never let great teaching become extinct in the church, we should never let great music either.  Sadly, we may already be too late. 

[mfbukowski]

It's certainly fine that all churches have their own styles, but I'm wondering out loud if we might need to loosen our collars so to speak given that we view ourselves as the "one true church." It's okay for, say, a Baptist church to say, "Hey, this is just how we do things here. If you're looking for something different, there's another church down the street." But that isn't our doctrine. As we see it, there is no other church that has the fullness of the Gospel.

Given that viewpoint, do we have an obligation to make our services more inviting to others? For example, should an inner city church consisting largely of converts not be allowed to worship in a way that is more natural to them? Or is there just one type of worship that Heavenly Father will accept as legitimate?

I think they should be made "more inviting" to those used to Gregorian Chant.  The hymnal is too Protestant for me.

 

Everything is relative.

[strappinglad]

Too many of our hymns are sung in " funereal " . Too slow, too bland. If the folks could just be taught the meaning of the instructions on the hymn itself, that would be an improvement. Years ago we had ,at the beginning of Sunday School, a practice hymn time. The chorister could instruct and stop the hymns as needed to help people learn the proper tempo etc. Maybe, on a quarterly basis, we could have a meeting outside of the chapel, where we tried out some more upbeat tunes. I suspect it would be well attended.

Oh wait, Stake Conference is not a sacrament meeting. That might work. I will make the suggestion and let you know how it works out!

Edited December 30, 2013 by strappinglad

[Palerider]

I was recently called as ward choir director. I got the notion this week to have us perform "Battle Hymn of the Republic," the Peter Wilhousky arrangement that the Tabernacle Choir does. I've been looking forward to it. But after re-reading this just now, I'm wondering now if it's appropriate for sacrament meeting. Yes, I know it's in the hymnbook, but the Wilhousky arrangement isn't.

I should mention here that our bishopric seems OK with it. They just approved the purchase of the sheet music, in fact.

Thoughts? What would have been your opinion as a bishopric member?

 

You wouldn't have had any problems with that music at all. Excellent choice.

 

(Even though I've never been a big fan of the Battle Hymn of the Republic)   

[Palerider]

I think they should be made "more inviting" to those used to Gregorian Chant.  The hymnal is too Protestant for me.

 

Everything is relative.

 

Hey! I wouldn't mind a little Gregorian Chant........I love that stuff.......

[Duncan]

We are so infatuated with reverence that we miss out on the "happier" side of the gospel IMHO.  I wish we would actually shout the Hosanna Shout, and give a loud amen when appropriate.  I wish we sang like our hair was on fire.  Much like we should never let great teaching become extinct in the church, we should never let great music either.  Sadly, we may already be too late. 

 

 

I would agree with that-someone once said that anything worth doing is worth over doing. I recall as a missionary having to be at zone conferences early just to sit there and be quiet, which was fine but you can overdo it and like me fall asleep because there's nothing to to do but sit and wait and wait and wait...