Deseret News | St. George women partner to write hymnal

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St. George women partner to write hymnal

Margaret | 11:52 p.m. Feb. 22, 2009

I hope we see more projects like this; there's a great deal of talent within the church membership.

Larry | 2:54 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I'm tired of singing the same old songs. Add some latin flavor and polynesian beauty. And to keep us awake, how about a good old spiritual song. The church is now less than half American. The rest of the world has much to offer. Put Glady's Knight in charge of the Tabernacle Choir! Wouldn't that wake up the world?

Richard | 8:04 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

Thank you. I would like to see most of the 200 year old songs go from the hymnal. There are much more spiritual and melodic songs being written now. Update Time is long, long, long overdue!

Comments continue below

Debbie | 8:47 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

To Larry & Richard: I am sorry, but I have to disagree. I think the songs in our Hymnal are beautiful & very uplifting. I have not a problem with adding new hymns, but I certainly don't want to completely change it. They did that in 1985 & we lost some hymns that I loved! Repetition is good, and if you truly sing the hymns with the desire to understand & comprehend those written words, they will stir the soul & feed your spirit. Think of the Halleluja Chorus! How old is it? I never tire of hearing it. The hymnal was inspired, try to really visualize the meaning of the hymn you are singing & feel the spirit swell in your heart. Have a great day!

Hymns, not Pop Music | 9:49 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

To larry, I also respectfully disagree. As musician, I decry the call for some to water-down and cheapen hymns in our LDS worship. There is a deep spiritual quality to hymns; their form, and simplicity, and yet profound verses. They're like prayers. Some of today's so-called religious "praise music" in some congregations border on the blasphemous. They're certainly not reverent, nor convey the deep respect for Diety that hymns should provide. They're not aerobic workout songs. they're not entertainment. They're not pop music. They're worship, and let's keep it that way.

Jim | 10:10 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

Music sets the mood. As a former Baptist I miss the piano rolls between verses, but then I came to realize that the LDS hymns in our book are mostly prayers set to music and are appropriate for our sacrament meetings.

Years ago, in our little branch, the congregation would practice the hymns under the direction and instruction of the music leader. This greatly enhanced congregation singing.

Wouldn't Mind w/ disclamer | 10:10 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

As a bishopric we have been singing the hymns in the hymn book every week at bishopric meeting. We started with 1 and are now on about 200. What I have found (none of us 3 being musically inclined) is that most of the hymns we don't know. I'm planning on trying to learn some of the ones we don't know to see if we can be hearing them more in sacrament meeting so we don't have to repeat the same ones over and over again. I wouldn't mind if the church introduced some new hymns and removes a few we don't use the next time it comes out with a new version of the hymn book but I would like to see them keep the same spiritual tone we have now. Tone meaning how the spirit is ushered into a meeting. I think that pretty much rules out drums but who knows maybe if done right it could work out. But i doubt it.

sdmom | 10:50 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I love our hymns just the way they are! Sometimes I look at the time period and people who wrote the words and music and I find myself in that time period. It connects me to the ages past and the people and feelings and emotions of the day.
One Sunday I must have had a senior moment as we were singing Be Still My Soul and was deeply touched, almost to tears, and wondered to whom she was directing these words of comfort. Maybe her husband? a grown child? What tender love! Then I snapped out of it and realized she wrote these words to herself. But how beautiful a thing that would be if we were to love others with such care.

ginger | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I believe I might be a bit naive when it comes to this subject. Nevertheless, I would like to make a small comment. To me the Hymnal is a form of scripture. When I sing I feel I am participating in a very spiritual experience and have a close connection with my Father in Heaven. I have always thought that these hymns were approved by the First Presidency and therefore I felt safe in the content.
If that is so, I would certainly leave it up to them what goes into the Hymn book and what is left out.

Denney | 11:57 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

As one who was privileged to hear these hymns sung by various small groups in St. George, prior to publication, I realize that there is a place in L.D.S. worship for new, inspired hymns. One must hear, or at least become acquainted with the powerful words and music produced by these talented, humble women before making a judgement of their worth. I, for one, will be giving a copy to our Choir Director so that she can teach us to sing these lovely scripture-based hymns. Thank you, ladies for your inspiring work!

Anonymous | 3:20 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I would like to hear a hymn that contains the words: "Grant us wisdom; Grant us Courage for the facing of this hour; for the facing of this hour." it is an old Methodist Hymn, I see nothing doctrinally wrong with it.

Shannon | 3:49 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I know these women personally and was priviledge to hear an in-home performance of one of the hymns well before they were even ready for performance. Later, I attended the first concert presentation of this beautiful music. This is not pop music. It's beautiful, spirtual and classical. I hope everyone gets to hear it someday.

Kurt | 8:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I believe the current LDS hymnal is just as inspired as the other scriptures, "for the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me" (D&C 25). But that is not to say that the canon of hymns is closed. Some would complain, "A hymnbook, a hymnbook, we have got a hymnbook, and there can be no more hymnbook." In truth, the first LDS hymnal in 1835 was an eclectic mix of old protestant shape-note hymns and more progressive Lowell Mason-style hymn texts, because American hymnody was in transition in the 1830s. It has ever been thus. Who is to say that God cannot inspire composers and poets in our day, as he did in former days? As Emma Smith said in the preface to that first hymnal, "It is sincerely hoped that the following collection, selected with an eye single to his glory, may answer every purpose till more are composed, or till we are blessed with a copious variety of the songs of Zion." Keep them coming.

All for change | 8:56 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

As an LDS Choir Director and Tabernacle Choir Member, I believe the church needs to modernize it's approach to music. Thankfully, I think Mack Wilberg is helping that along by adding instruments to alot of the Music the Tabernacle Choir sings. That being said, I think in our quest for perfection, we find comfort in the familiar and try to root out any changes that come along. All too often we are narrowminded when it comes to change. Believe it or not, some change can be good. It is often said that the church is for the perfecting of the saints, If thats true then change is necessary to make ourselves and the church perfect. Music in church can and should change to help the spirit be more fully felt whether that comes through 17th century hymns or modern stylistic music. There is nothing wrong with being entertained by music either. I do not believe God only gave us the ability to hear his message through hymns.

Cynthia, 200+ club | 10:31 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I agree with Richard that many hymns are dated and ought to be dropped. However, not the ones that are over 200 years old. It's the ones that are about 150 - 100 years old that drive me crazy. Some of the newer ones do, too. The few that are about 200 or older that are in the current book are typically sublime.

Keep singing, Sisters! and brothers, too.

Kelley | 6:33 a.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Personally, I'd like to lose most of the Salvation Army songs, including all the 'sunshine' songs. 'Come Thou Fount' needs to come back. 'Amazing Grace' needs to be added. There are hymns of all eras that are beautiful and uplifting. I'd like to see more. I also think that since LDS members come from such diverse backgrounds, there is room for more diversity in our hymns. We need to be careful not to take tradition for doctrine.

A in LA | 10:38 a.m. Feb. 24, 2009

I live in a ward where the music director adds at least one less known song each week to the songs we sing in Sac Meeting. I love the old songs, and put up with learning the new ones. However, what I really DON'T like is when they throw in new/unknown songs for the Sacrament song. I love to sing the old well know songs during that time. I can fully concentrate on getting ready for the sac during that time rather than concentrating on learning a new song.
I don't mind new songs being added to the list of songs we sing, but I would hate to lose the old ones in the process.

JAYE | 12:03 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Apparently 'Hymns not pop music' is under the impression that every hymn in the LDS hymnal is to be sung somberly, and/or reverently.LOL.
There is nothing blasphemous whatsoever about singing songs of praise to the Lord of Hosts with joy and with all one's might.

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