Andrew Van Wagenen
In ancient Gregorian Chants, Hindu mantras, and classical pieces such as Handel’s “Messiah”, music has been a source of spirituality. Music has coincided with religion for many millennia. It is no different today in the world of pop culture and media. Music still has an indefinite connection with most if not all religions of the world.
Modern-day LDS prophets have also proclaimed the importance of music in our worship services.
In the preface to the current edition of the Church's hymnal published in 1985, the First Presidency wrote: "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."
http://www.mormontimes.com/arts_entertainment/music/?id=10360
Personally I couldn’t agree more. But in pop culture were not just talking hymns as the only form of inspirational and spiritual music. Popular musicians such as Eric Clapton, Creed, Ben Harper and the orthodox Jewish rapper Matisyahu infused spirituality with their music. Some of my most spiritual experiences with music have come from listening to these popular artists. I’m sure many others have had similar experiences to mine.
Popular Music has become adopted by religion so extensively that churches have been established around certain genres of music. Rap churches, rock’n’roll churches, and hip hop churches have popped up all over the world.
http://www.rapnews.net/Topics/Church/, http://www.rocknrollpreacher.com/church.html,
Even within the LDS church, popular religious music has been produced by groups such as Jericho Road and EFY. However, despite popular music as a source of spirituality, in recent years LDS church meetings popular music renditions from EFY songs have been prohibited; even the playing of more popular instruments like the guitar are considered irreverent for special numbers during church meetings.
My question to be considered: If popular music can be such a strong source for spiritual and religious experiences then how should we as Latter-Day Saints view popular music as an alternative source for spirituality? And should it be considered appropriate or reverent for popular religious music and instruments to appear in LDS church meetings?
There is an appropriate time and place for everything. Although something may give spiritual strength, it’s not appropriate at any or all times. Temple worship is spiritually strengthening, but we all recognize the appropriate time and place for it. I find nature and being in the outdoors to be a very strong source for spiritual and religious experiences, but I don’t rationalize weekend hiking trips over the Sabbath that interfere with Sacrament Meeting attendance. Feeling the spirit is possible whenever one does “good things,” whether that’s listening to good music or mowing your neighbor’s lawn. However, Sacrament Meeting should be set apart from these day-to-day “good things” and be treated with a heightened and more reverent respect for the ordinance itself and the covenants we renew.
ReplyDeleteMy point is just because you find something spiritually strengthening doesn’t mean it has a place in Sacrament Meeting worship.
The LDS church handbook states the following: "Appropriate Music for Church Meetings
ReplyDeleteStake presidencies and bishoprics determine whether musical selections or instruments are suitable for a particular meeting. Careful selection and proper performance of music can greatly enhance the Spirit of worship. Guidelines are provided in the following paragraphs.
The hymns of the Church are the basic music for Latter-day Saint meetings and are standard for all congregational singing. Hymns are also encouraged for prelude and postlude music, choir music, and special selections. If other musical selections are used, they should be in keeping with the spirit of the hymns of the Church. Texts should be doctrinally correct. (See "Hymns for Congregations," Hymns, pages 380–81.)
Music in Church meetings should help members worship, feel the sacred spirit of the Sabbath, and feel the spirit of revelation. This music should not draw attention to itself or be for demonstration. Some religiously oriented music in a popular style is not appropriate for sacrament meetings. Also, much sacred music that is suitable for concerts and recitals is not appropriate for a Latter-day Saint worship service.
Organs and pianos are the standard instruments used in Church meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with a prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting. Live accompaniment is normally used in sacrament and other ward meetings. If a piano, organ, or accompanist is not available, appropriate recordings may be used. Such recordings are listed in the annual Church Materials Catalog. “
THE REST OF MY POST:
ReplyDeleteOn that basis, it should be noted that stake presidencies and bishoprics have the final say as to what music is appropriate for sacrament meeting worship. I believe that the greater issue behind what instruments or music can or cannot be played is based on how that instrument or musical sound is perceived in its everyday setting. For example, rap music is well known for its use of beat and rhythm to rhyme strings of words together. Rap is also known for its degrading lyrics filled with all manner of evil concepts. So to use rap music in a church setting, no matter how good the lyrics are (centered on the gospel, etc.) it is the association that rap music has with illicit activities that tarnishes this brand of music indefinitely. Therefore, it is the association that the music has that ultimately takes away from the Spirit that is to be found within sacrament meetings.
Likewise, the electric guitar, no matter how beautiful it can be played, it is the association it has with heavy metal music, Metallica, acid rock…you get the point, that would serve as a distraction to some who wish to focus their minds on the Spirit.
For what other purpose are LDS sacrament meetings filled with silent reflective moments as in testimony meetings or reverent listening to church talks…. It is the perfect environment to invite the Spirit…. Designed specifically by the Lord to enliven our souls and bring us to a higher plane.
Another comment I have is on how often people feel the “Spirit” through what can be referred to as secular or religiously themed pop music or the like. I believe one of the great difficulties we face in this lifetime is deciphering the difference between our own good feelings and that of the Spirit. I would say that this is puzzling for many who feel the same type of good when they feel the Spirit as they do when they listen to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” If it is good and testifies of Jesus Christ, then the Spirit can be there…. For those songs and forms of entertainment that neither testify of Christ or deny him… I don’t believe it is essential to question if the good feelings that were felt during listening to a song were the actual Spirit or not. You see the moment we argue on such a proposition… the Spirit would leave anyway.
So in the end I believe that during our day to day lives, more of the pop Christian music is appropriate and edifying to us. It is more so than any rap, heavy metal, or acid rock combined many times over. I don’t believe that any music or instruments that have any association with things that would detract from the Spirit are appropriate for Sunday worship. Those are my thoughts.
-SJW