Difference between revisions of "Mormon Music"

Revision as of 10:49, 1 November 2019

Primary Children Singing

Music and hymns have been an integral part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its beginning. Latter-day Saints (sometimes erroneously called Mormons) believe that singing is an important form of worship and prayer to God.

In a revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 25:12, the Lord said:

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.

Music is used to bring the Spirit and reverence into meetings. In the preface of the 1985 hymnbook used by the Church, it reads:

Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns [...] brothers and sisters, let us use the hymns to invite the Spirit of the Lord into our homes and our personal lives. Let us memorize and ponder them, recite and sing them, and partake of their spiritual nourishment. Know that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto our Father in Heaven, 'and it shall be answered with a blessing upon your heads.'

The hymns can be as powerful as scripture, and members of the Church are encouraged to use them this way. The First Presidency of the Church has said:

Ours is a hymnbook for the home as well as for the meetinghouse. We hope the hymnbook will take a prominent place among the scriptures and other religious books in our homes. The hymns can bring families a spirit of beauty and peace and can inspire love and unity among family members.

A History of Music

Music, both hymns and popular music, has played an important role in Church culture in many other ways. The Mormon Pioneers often sang during their trek west. In fact, a revelation given through Brigham Young encouraged the pioneers, saying "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving" (Doctrine and Covenants 136:28). Members of the Church have often written songs for important events like temple dedications and holidays. Once in Utah, Welsh immigrants created a choir, which has become internationally known as the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Church colonies in the nineteenth century, no matter how small, usually had a town band. Even today many members of the Church learn to play an instrument, and reverent musical numbers are a frequent part of worship services. Each congregation is encouraged to have a choir, and congregational hymns are sung at virtually every meeting.

In more recent times, Church leaders have encouraged parents to include musical training in the lives of their children. Members are also encouraged to use good music as a way to control unwanted or degrading thoughts. Latter-day Saints are counseled to avoid listening to degrading music, but as usual, it is up to the individual to distinguish between uplifting and degrading music.

The hymns are not the only source of good LDS music. There are hundreds of members who write inspirational music available to others through CD's, printed music, live performances, the internet, and sometimes even through the Church magazines. One of the largest websites offering LDS music is Latter-day Saint Musicians.

First Church Hymnals

Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith compiled the first hymnal. It was called A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. She was called by the Lord to do this work. In Doctrine and Covenants 25:1,11 it reads:

Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom. [...] And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.

This commandment was given only three months after the Church was organized. The compilation contained 90 songs. Only the words for the songs were printed in the book, and during meetings, they would sing the words to various known tunes. Often they would sing different songs to the same tune.

Emma Smith’s compilations served the church for many years; sometimes, new songs would be added. In 1886, the President of the Church, John Taylor, asked five prominent LDS musicians to come up with music for all of the songs in the Church's book. Three years later they had finished and published Latter-day Saint Psalmody. This hymnbook was the first in the Church to have both text and music for the songs.

The 1985 Hymnbook

The hymnbook used by the Church today is called simply, Hymns and is available online. It was first published in 1985, and it contains 341 hymns; 26 of which are from Emma Smith’s original compilation. This hymnbook is being used as the starting point for translating the songs into other languages. Hymns has been translated into 21 languages and other translations are in progress.

A New Hymnbook

In June 2018, the Church announced plans to publish new, unified editions of both Hymns and the Children’s Songbook. Members of the Church are invited to participate in the revision process in unprecedented ways. Elder Ronald A. Rasband noted, "We desire to offer a consistent core collection of hymns and songs in every language that reflects the diverse needs of the global Church in our day.” Elder Erich W. Kopischke added, "This core collection means that “members of the Church, no matter where they live in the world, will have the same hymns and the same songs and the same hymn numbers!” Members were asked to submit original music and lyrics and to provide feedback.[1]

See also Music and the Spoken Word and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square