Comments on: Don’t Sing a Lie

By: J. Paul

J. Paul — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:02:19 +0000

Mark B.
In the words of the Hymn “We thank thee o God for a prophet”, It’s “the wicked who fight against Zion” that ” will surely be smitten a last.
“While they who reject this glad message” (the Gospel) “shall never such happiness know”.

On an unrelated note we used to sing “Put your shoulder to the wheel, push along”… … we all have work SO DON’T BE A JERK, put your shoulder to the wheel

By: J. Paul

J. Paul — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:39:25 +0000

As for the line about saving ourselves in “High on a Mountain Top” There is a scriptural reference for the line.

The scripture is
D&C 38: 42
And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:19:12 +0000

I once used “Stars” from Les Mis as an introduction to a RS lesson on repentence and the atonement. I referred back to Javert’s false reasoning in the song throughout the lesson. It went over very well, I thought. Of course, I know that’s not the same thing as singing it in Sacrament meeting. I’m sure I remember at least one general conference address that references Jean Valjean, so I thought it would work.

By: m&m

m&m — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:15:02 +0000

Re: Les Mis…someone once sang “Bring Him Home” at a farewell (back in the days of mission farewells). Well-intentioned to be sure, but makes m squirm to think about it. I doubt it would happen now, though.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:19:04 +0000

Hmm. I love “Les Miz” but can’t think of a single song I would consider suitable for Sacrament Meeting. As for “modal, ancient church qualities,” my favorite Christmas music is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” I guess I’m out of step with that ward!

By: Steven B

Steven B — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:00:33 +0000

In a similar vein, there are songs with a wonderful message, but fall into that evil category of "Contemporary Christian." I linked to one such piece here.

By: Steven B

Steven B — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:53:19 +0000

Years ago, I made an arrangement for a small choir that I sang with, coupling the text of There is a Green Hill with the great Thomas Tallis tune that Vaughan Williams used in his famous Fantasia. We performed it at a couple of nursing homes and Sacrament meetings and a dear friend asked to use it in an Episcopal Easter service. Having been composed in the 16th Century, it has a modal, ancient church quality that some Sacrament meeting members objected to and a few comments were made after the service. At the same meeting we also performed something from “Les Mis,” and were somewhat nervous about singing a selection from a stage musical in a Sacrament service. Yet the piece members found objectionable was not the Broadway show tune, but the Thomas Tallis composition, which sounded too “Catholic” for the “restored church” congregation. Tallis was a Catholic until his death in 1585, and he left a legacy that still inspires.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:51:31 +0000

My last comment on your blog was something of a party pooper, wasn’t it? You and I think well enough of each other, I think, not to take offense, m&m, where none is intended.

By: m&m

m&m — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:46:23 +0000

(If that last comment came across as a post party pooper kind of comment, I’m sorry.)

By: m&m

m&m — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:22:54 +0000

I think Ugly Mahana makes a worthwhile point.

I also think it’s important to distinguish between the example from the post (something brought into Church externally) and hymns that somehow passed some sort of approval process.

(I confess that I’m working hard not to internalize what has been said here; I would rather not have stuff get in the way of just enjoying hymns. It’s like those who start to analyze hymns for feminist violations — at some point, it can just be a distraction, ya know?)

(Ardis…as a completely off-topic point, I was hoping you would read my latest post on my blog — looking for book recommendations about Utah history. )