Deseret News | Mormon Pop: What is 'Mormon music'?

Reader comments
Mormon Pop: What is 'Mormon music'?

russ | 4:34 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I know this shows that I am ignorant and illiterate, but music is... music. My old piano teacher taught me that, in Utah County no less. Now, some music is not liked by some people, and not everyone likes Elvis or Bach or... a flute played by an aboriginee at Ayers Rock.

Mormon music? I don't know, but the thought makes me giggle. Music purchased by Mormons, well I guess that could be Mormon music, unless of course it was Bach. Bach was not a Mormon.

Music produced by Mormons would be... music.

Music is music.

I must have flunked music appreciation in high school.

Ryan | 4:54 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

It's great how the rest of the Christian world doesn't seem to mind trying to bring people to the "good news" (Gospel)...whether it's a rock song or a hip hop song talking about positive subject matter. Listen to K-Love radio or Spirit 66 on Sirius. Now, I'm fully aware that this would be inappropriate in LDS chapels on Sunday. (No drums and strings. But it was nice to see Gladys Knight and the SUV Choir at a Stake Center on a Saturday night doing their thing..which was performing uplifting music. Yes, people were even clapping and praising in the chapel! This whole music for Mormon's by Mormon's thing is really a mute point. LDS Hip Hop, Rock, Techno, etc...is the way to reach the youth in their language. Those who say otherwise....seem to have a problem with the Lord Jesus Christ. Would you have told him speaking in parables was "not okay?" This so called Mormon music is NOT trying to replace the Holy Hymns for Sabbath worship. This music should me enjoyed by all....whether it's driving to work....working out....on your ipod....etc...Would you rather our 15 years olds listen to "Punk Rock or Rap" on the radio and MTV?

Dear Ryan | 7:02 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

"Would you rather our 15 years olds listen to 'Punk Rock or Rap' on the radio and MTV?"

Yes.

So now I "have a problem with the Lord Jesus Christ."

So what?

At least I can think for myself.

Comments continue below

Ryan | 9:21 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I got love for the sinners and the saints.
I'm glad you would like your 15 year old to listen to music that portrays violence, sex, drugs etc...
Yes, you can think for YOURSELF....now try to think FOR JESUS....There's a big difference.
Many are called and few are chosen....much is given...much is required....I'm sure you have all this figured out though. M. Russell Ballard in 2003 said it best..."The time has come when members of the church need to speak out and join with the many other concerned people in opposition to the offensive, destructive and mean-spirited media influence that is sweeping over the Earth."
Free agency is great...we all have choices to make.
Some are right and some are wrong. God knows all.

Mathias | 11:54 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Jesus is my Homeboy - Did Russell Ballard consider himslef a "prophet" as the late Mr. Hinkley did? God does know all, and its a shame that the LDS and its "church" thinks it knows more than our homeboy and his father. And music is music as the first person mentioned. I wonder if you all know the lyrics to the song "Imagine" that Mr Acrhuleta sang last night on American Idol - whichs main component and lyric is "...and no religion too" meaning all the hate, all wars, famine and poverty could be ended with simply just that.. Its sad there is such a hypocrisy in the LDS religion, as most of the down-trodden and poverty stricken are the nicest and yet most uncared for in its own social circles. With music and hymns being the foundation of all modern religion, reflection and the ability to disseminate and contstructively listen to all types of music is key to our society. An important man once said " I disagree with what you are saying, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!" A frontiersmen religion should be a bit more undertanding given their past.

Elisabeth | 9:58 a.m. March 6, 2008

Mathias? Yeah, so "Mr. Archuleta" is a Mormon.
He's LDS. He is a member of The Church Of Jesus
Christ Of Later-Day Saints.

I don't quite get your point, but I know that I
find this Russ kid right, and this Ryan kid insane.

If he's Atheist, then I know why he just won't
except the idea of Mormon Music.

I'm LDS. I'm Mormon. I'm a member of The Church
Of Jesus Christ Of Later-Day Saints.

I go to the Soup Kitchen once a month and help
feed them, I've done service projects, and I
haven't done ANY of these things on my own. All
of them were with my Church group.

I love my church, and know it's the only true
church on this earth today.

And by the way, I love my music, and it's not
always just about church. Kirby Heyborne is Mormon.
He's great! :)

Thanks for letting me get all this out there.

Ysabel | 1:31 a.m. April 5, 2008

Why do we discuss religion? , David is in American Idol competition , this is about music.! why everyone is taken by David been Mormon? why others are not taken by been episcopals or protestans or catholics? You are all so concern about he been Mormon. why ?

Anonymous | 12:41 p.m. April 5, 2008

they're both mormon? that explains why they're so nice and everybody loves them....mormons are the nicest people ever!

Looking for good | 11:52 p.m. April 15, 2008

People like to feel a connection to others. Mormons, other religions, people of different ethics, even genders, like to see others of the same succeed. I am proud to be a 'Mormon', The probem is, that many see 'Mormons' as weird or what have you. Many don't know what we believe and there are many assumptions. I, for one, always look for 'good' Mormon examples. People that show they can make it regardless of what others believe Mormons to be. The rule breakers of what others 'think' they know. Not all Mormons show goodness, nor any other religion, race, or gender. Look at the Presidential candidate. Seems to be a nice guy, but most of the negative things he had to deal with were actually false and misunderstood by haters. We should always look for the good in all things and all people, religions, races, countries, etc.

Anonymous | 11:02 p.m. April 23, 2008

Mormons pretty much Rock! nough said! Go DAVID!

Steve L | 4:32 a.m. May 10, 2008

This Ryan kid brings up some very valid points.

Very well said.

I am a Christian. Yes, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints like this Elisabeth lady, however I DON'T call myself "Mormon." I am "Christian" and there is NOT just music. There's good and evil.

Hey all you "Mormon's" out there, try listening to K-Love radio and hear CHRISTIAN music!

We're CHRISTIANS....NOT MORMONS!

Brian | 6:56 p.m. May 12, 2008

I agree with the comment that says that music is music, no matter what type it is. And despite what most people here think, music doesnt have that big of an influence on you. I listen to what you folks would cal"angry music" or something like that. I listen to rap, rock, and some have explicit lyrics and even violent lyrics, but that doesnt make me a bad person. I swear, but i dont do drugs, i dont steal, i treat my girlfriend and other with respect, I've never broken the law in any way, nor have i gotten into any sort of physical altercation. I'm living proof that listening to angry music has no effect on a person what so ever. its all about parenting. If your kid's messed up, take a look at yourself. thats why i dont like some parts of religion. Parents will make their child an outcast because he/she doesnt follow their exact way of life. I have seen it first hand and it's sad. I still think david's a great singer, mormon or not, and he deserves to be where he is in his life.

James | 8:18 a.m. May 21, 2008

what a loser

Mormon Soprano | 1:47 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I enjoyed reading this news piece. The 13th Article of faith IS our best guide in all personal choices.

Anonymous | 11:37 a.m. Jan. 20, 2009

I will have to say that this is pretty much right. Why we say that it has to be by mormons is because of the fact that mormons produce clean music most of the time, unless they don't believe all the standards we've set. David Archuleta, for example has good, clean music and so does the singer for Panic! At the Disco. He's mormon too. Thanks for posting.

chelsie | 10:17 a.m. Oct. 29, 2009

hey i'm LDS to so i'm glad to see that david is LDS TO

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