Music

One of my favorite Hymns in the LDS Hymn Book was written by a Frenchman in the middle of the dark ages. Born in the year 1091, Bernard of Clairvaux lived more than a thousand years after the great apostasy, which resulted in the removal of the priesthood from the Earth. (This meant the authority to act in God's name was no longer here. This meant that the Lord's Church was no longer here in its fullness.)

He lived in a time where very few had access to the Holy Scriptures, many of the doctrines of Christ had been polluted, and religion was more about power, then worship. Yet, in the midst of that this Frenchman, who was also a monk, wrote a 192-line poem titled "Dulcis Jesus Memorial" ("Joyful Rhythm on the Name of Jesus") which was later translated by Edward Caswall in the early 1800's. It was from this poem that the hymn "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee" came to us.

Every time I hear the words,

"Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see
And in thy presence rest." Verse 1 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

I find myself, like Alma in the Book of Mormon taught us to do in Alma Chapter 5, looking forward to the day when I will Stand before my Lord and Savior to give an accounting of my days. I know that if I can but live so that when that time comes I will have the power to look up, that I will see in his eyes such love, and mercy that my heart will be filled with a sweetness beyond anything I can yet imagine.

"Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind!

O hope of ev'ry contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!" Verses 2 & 3 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

There is no sweeter name that can pass through the lips of mankind then that of our Savior, for it is through Him that we are able to overcome sin and death in order to be brought back into the presence of God. I am again reminded of the words of the prophet Alma when He spoke of the Savior's mission on Earth and what he did that he might succor (or run to) His people to heal them, and in the process bring them peace and joy.

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:11-12

The Lord is indeed most kind, understanding, and merciful in his actions toward the children of men. He teaches us how to love and be loved.

"Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
And thru eternity." Verse 4 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

I await the day when I may become a joint heir with Christ in the kingdom of my Father in Heaven. This is the mark which I keep my eyes upon to guide me in the choices I make in my life. This beautiful Hymn is one way I help myself to keep my eye on the mark of Eternal Life. Whenever I hear the words or even the music (which always brings the words to my mind) I find my Faith and Testimony strengthen and am then able to face what lies before. For this I shall ever be thankful to Bernard of Clairvaux, and I look to the day when I shall see him face to face and express my gratitude for the influence his sweet testimony has had in my life.

I ran across a beautiful story about the power of music the other day. I was looking for something appropriate to post on Memorial Day, because one of the best ways I know of to express strong emotions and bring peace is through music. With this account I read the truth of my thoughts.

The writer speaks of being a young man during a period of war and political unrest in his home land of El Salvador. Shortly after his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the tensions and conflict became serious enough that many, including the LDS missionaries, were leaving the country. To the saints left in the area, this marked a great loss. The missionaries and the gospel of Jesus Christ were a source of peace and joy in an otherwise very sad world.

Rather than giving into the grief and anger surrounding them, many of the young people in the area began to form small groups to sing the songs of the gospel. Their hope was to replace some of the spirit of goodness and hope that had left their home land. They came together and sang on the street corners and they introduced many others to the power of gospel peace through their music.

As things got even worse for these people, the writer recalls the fear of huddling with a mattress over them as bombs fell around. Again, they turned to the hymns of the church to carry them through these moments of ultimate fear. They sang, they poured out their hearts in prayers of song, and waited for the violence to end.

They sang hymns such as:
Come, Come, Ye Saints (Hymns, no. 30)
How Firm a Foundation (no. 85)
Joseph Smith’s First Prayer& (no. 26)
High on the Mountain Top (no. 5)
O My Father (no. 292)
I Stand All Amazed (no. 193)

Why these hymns? Because of the message they carry. There was a message of God’s love, a message of the Savior’s love, and a message of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were messages of hope and faith letting everyone in the land that though it might seem God is ignoring their pain and needs know that He is still among them, sharing in their suffering and holding them up whenever He can.

It’s a message of hope for all of us. Even in the darkest times, music and songs with a theme of hope and faith can do more than we know to lift and succor us.

The Articles of Faith are thirteen statements of basic belief for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (referred to as the Mormons). They were written as a part of a document called the Wentworth Letter, which Joseph Smith wrote in 1842 to John Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat. Later, these brief statements were set to music by American composer Vanja Watkins. In this series, we will examine the truths presented in the Articles of Faith.

Article of Faith 7:

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

(Articles of Faith)

A sign of a living Church is that gifts of the Spirit are present therein. The Lord gives these gifts to build up those who have faith, and they are generally not used simply to persuade others that God exists, but to bless those who already believe. In the words of Mark, "...these signs shall follow them that believe..." (Mark 16:17-18)

Let us explore a few ways in which the spiritual gifts mentioned in the seventh Article of Faith are present in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.

Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues
Although the gift of tongues is sometimes defined as speaking in some unknown language, it is much more commonly used for purposes of meaningful communication. Missionaries of the Church are called to serve in many countries around the world. They teach and preach in the language of the people where they serve. The Church's Missionary Training Center provides intensive training in many of these languages, and the acquisition of language is based as much on spiritual principles as on linguistic study. In a matter of only a few months, thousands of missionaries each year learn to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new language. This is the gift of tongues in action.

Prophecy, Revelation, and Visions
Since before the Church was organized, the roots of Mormonism have been in revelation. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in the Spring of 1820. With this visitation, a new era of revelation from God to man was initiated. God speaks to modern prophets, such as Thomas S. Monson, the current President of the Church. As a prophet, he exercises the gift of prophecy as he instructs the members of the Church around the world. However, the Lord also speaks to individuals who seek guidance from Him. Personal revelation is an important principle of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church is led by revelation.

Healing
The power to heal the sick is the same power by which the Lord runs the Church. It is the priesthood, or the authority to officiate in the name of God. He authorizes worthy men to exercise this power to bless others. the Church, the sick are anointed with oil set apart for that purpose, and then men who hold the priesthood authority give a blessing as the Spirit directs. I have personally seen the effects of these healing blessings, and I have been healed.

A true and living Church must contain gifts of the Spirit. They are not given for the purpose of showing off or proving a point, but they are fruits of belief in the Living Christ. I testify that these gifts are in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today as they were in the ancient Church of Christ.

MP3 Recording of The Seventh Article of Faith children's song

A few years ago while serving a full-time Mission in North Carolina, I received a phone call. We were having a mission conference in a week. Elder Hilbig a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy was coming with his wife to speak to us. The phone call was from another sister missionary serving on the other side of our mission.

We had never served together, though we had been in the same zone before. I was shocked when she told me why she was calling. Our mission President's wife requested this other sister and me to give a musical number in the upcoming conference.

I had heard this sister sing before, so I knew our voices would harmonize. However, since we were serving so far apart, we were told that we would have to practice on our own, and then make sure to arrive at the mission conference early and run through it once or twice together before we started.

When I was told what hymn we were to sing (requested by my Mission President's wife) I didn't recognize the name. So after finishing the call I went in search of my personal hymn book. I was hoping that once I saw it that I would remember how it went, for I knew most of the hymns. When I found the hymn mentioned, I had to accept the fact that I had never heard it before.

Even worse, I had no access to a piano to learn the hymn which I was to sing before my entire mission in a week's time. I started panicking, not knowing what to do, when my companion suggested I pray. As I poured my heart out to the Lord, I received my answer.

Over the next week I learned the hymn note by note. I did this by looking at the given note in the hymn and finding another hymn I knew by heart that had that corresponding note. It was a painstaking process that took up every spare moment of my time. I worked on it and prayed morning to night, as I went about my regular mission work. During that time I came to love that hymn; for as I leaned it note by note, I came to know it word by word. Together the words and music touched my soul, as the spirit testified that the message was true.

In the end I did learn the hymn. I was able to arrive at the church early enough to run through the duet twice, before the meeting began, with my fellow missionary. When the time finally came, and we began to sing, I was aware of how our voices perfectly harmonized. At the same time I was caught up in feeling the spirit carry and confirm the message we sang to the hearts of all who were in attendance.

Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire Hymn # 145
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast..."

Text: James Montgomery, 1771–1854
Music: George Careless, 1839–1932

Years ago I experienced a Sacrament meeting that I will never forget. After partaking of the sacrament, my Bishop arose and addressed us. He had us all open our Hymn books to the First Presidency preface to the hymns, where he read,

"Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.

We hope to see an increase of hymn singing in our congregations. We encourage all members, whether musically inclined or not, to join with us in singing the hymns. We hope leaders, teachers, and members who are called on to speak will turn often to the hymn book to find sermons presented powerfully and beautifully in verse." First Presidency Preface to Hymns

My Bishop testified that he knew that this was true. He testified of the power of the hymns and their importance. He then shared his concern for us as a ward. He said that he had noticed that during the hymns many of us were not singing. We were not even paying attention to the hymns. Because of this, the spirit was not as strong in our meetings as it could and should be.

He continued by saying that this concerned him greatly. So much so that he had been praying to know what he could do, to change this. He realized that some did not sing because they didn't have good singing voices. To this he responded that he didn't have one either, but that didn't matter. For the Lord had said that the song of a heart is a prayer unto him. (D&C 25:12) The Lord never said it had to be a song of the throat.

However, my Bishop said that he knew that this wasn't why most of us weren't singing. He said that the cause of many not joining in singing was because we didn't have a real testimony of the hymns yet.

He said that after much prayer he was inspired to hold a musical testimony meeting. He told us that for the rest of our sacrament block, he would open the floor for any of us to come forth and share a hymn (and a specific verse), testify why that hymn had great meaning to us, and then the congregation (and he meant all of us) would sing that verse.

As we did so, the spirit of the Lord came so powerfully into the chapel where we sang that no one left unaffected. There were tears in many a person's eyes as hearts were touched, minds were taught, and spirits were edified.

Though I had always enjoyed the hymns before, I grew to love them that day. Now whenever I have to opportunity to sing the hymns I pay close attention to the words as well as the music. As I do so, I feel the spirit rush over me confirming the truthfulness of the message that hymn bears. I am humbled, and softened, and find that I am then ready to receive.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized in April 1830. The Book of Mormon had been printed and the gospel was being to travel faster than ever. As the church grew, Joseph Smith continued to receive revelations to help him make sure the church he organized, was the one Jesus Christ wanted it to be: His church. Many of these revelations were written down and would later be compiled into what is now the Doctrine and Covenants. One of my favorite revelations was specifically given for Joseph’s wife, Emma Smith.

It’s a beautiful message from a loving Heavenly Father. It also contains an assignment just for her

“11 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.
12 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.” D&C 25:11–12

I find it wonderful that even in its infant stages; the Lord thought it was important for His restored church to have music. I’m grateful that He loves music as much as I do. It’s a part of me that recognizes the love and beauty of God’s promises.

Emma Smith worked for the next five years gathering a collection of hymns. It wasn’t easy, not because there was a lack of good music available, but because her life over the next few years would be very difficult. Above all else, Emma was a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother. She let nothing take the place of her first and most important duties. However, just in fulfilling these roles her life would be filled with many trials. In the spring of 1831 Emma gave birth to twins who would live only a few short hours. To help ease her grief, Emma and Joseph adopted two orphaned twins. While this was a great blessing, it was also the source of a new trial. Shortly after a malicious attack on their home, one of these sweet infants would die from exposure.

I like to think that the Lord gave her this commission not because she needed something to do, but because He knew and loved her. I imagine that part of the reason Emma received this assignment was because she would need it. At least for me, music is a sustaining and uplifting element that can bring comfort and express joy as needed. Perhaps it was a way for the Lord to reach out to her in the coming years, when her heart would need Him most.

She did have a lot of help along the way and eventually the first LDS hymnal was published in August, 1835. This tiny book measuring 3 by 4 ½ inches and containing 90 hymn texts was entitled “A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints”. More than 30 of these hymns would be original works specifically for and by LDS members such as Parley P. Pratt, Eliza R. Snow and William W. Phelps. This volume of hymns contained only words, because it was the practice at the time to sing the hymns to already familiar tunes rather than assigning their own melodies. This would not happen for the LDS hymnal until 1857.

Our hymnal today is very different from Emma’s first labor of love on our behalf, but it still touches on this history. Twenty-five of the hymns currently within our hymnal were part of Emma’s original selections. Among these are:

Redeemer of Israel
How Firm a Foundation
The Spirit of God
Gently Raise the Sacred Strain

Emma was an amazing woman but if for nothing else, I’m truly grateful for her work collecting music that the saints could sing praises to God with.