I find this idea for a Sacrament service a wonderful twist and hope they try that in our ward!

I have to comment though on the Hymn "If you could hie to Kolob" I agree that the word "race" is talking about ones progeny, however "race" and "progeny" are the same thing!! I also do not agree with your opinion that differences in race will not continue in the next life. This is simply not true. For those who want them too, they *will* continue. Many African Americans and those of different "races" (we are all really the human race) desire that thier ethnicity be eternal, and God will grant that blessing.

Thank you for your wonderful writing over the years!!

What a great idea for Sacrament meeting. Makes me think of the most wonderful Young Women's Conference Testimony meeting I attended as a leader. The Young Woman conducting asked for those wishing to speak, to limit their comments to the reason a hymn (or verse, or particular line of a hymn) that was meaningful to them and their testimony. (In my mind, I was wondering: Can you instruct people what to talk about or say in a Testimony Meeting?) But it was one of the most spiritual meetings. We didn't sing the hymns, but what a great idea. If you'd like something uplifting to do, read the preface in the hymn book by the First Presidency--so wonderful. Thanks for a great article, and reflections.

Thank you

Orson, you are mistaken about "race".

The origins of the racial tensions, strife, and problems today ARE simply an extension of an "Abrahamic" passion for and desire to guarantee (e.g., through covenant with God and a “land of promise”) “the ongoing propagation of an individual's progeny.” In this spirit the “Children of Israel” as a people and a nation were created; this is the paternal instinct underlying the justification of the “Divine Right of Kings” that continues to plague human societies (the entitlement to rule based simply on an accident of birth); and this is the basis for the arrogant elitism and cliquishness of the LDS people, whereby they show favoritism to their family members, creating an aristocracy in the Church and its culture.

Beyond that, I couldn’t agree more that the word in If You Could Hie to Kolob should be changed from “race” to “grace” – IF the song is kept in the hymnal at all. The cosmological absurdity of the concept of Kolob should probably prompt us to just excise this hymn altogether… IMHO.

Sorry I just realized that I ment to write Hymn instead of him.
In reguards to Trenton's comment,
there's always has to be a "know-it-all" who has to destroy the spirit of communing with God, by pointing out how smart he thinks he is.

Trenton, my heart goes out to you. By using the abbreviation IMHO it is perhaps easy to overlook the meaning of the "H" in IMHO.

I was impressed by Brother Card's aricle. "Sharing the Spirit of Song and Praise".
In Australia while on a mission with my husband,I was plagued with hives. They would come unannounced,except for bright red palms that itched terribly. Then They would spread rapidly to the rest of my body. I would go to our apartment and pace the floor until medication would take effect. During my awful be-itching hour, I would sing "I Am a Child of God" over and over, all verses, until I would gain some relief.

The last few words in the article almost sang to me, and I wrote a poem.

Sing Peace
"Open your "Joy" and sing the Hymns together
with your voice and full hearts.
It is how we speak,all at once,to each other
And to God, using our Musical "Parts"
When we are alone and need comfort and help
These are the songs that will run through our minds
They will bring in the spirit,because we have sung them so often that we know the music and lines.

Oh, I guess God doesn't love me because I spent too much time studying...

???

We had a couple of these sacrament meetings as well. It really was an enjoyable experience. However, our stake presidency was instructed in a recent stake presidents' training meeting conducted by the area presidency to avoid such innovations. This type of sacrament meeting was one of 10 or 11 practices highlighted as "deviations or innovations" from what is outlined in the handbook of instructions. The counsel was to go back to the handbook and consider prayerfully the guidelines offered there.

Not trying to throw cold water, just to pass on information.