LDS Churches and Music
LDS Churches have very conservative music rules. As far as which instruments are allowed in the chapel during Sacrament Meeting and what styles of music are allowed, I think there are few churches with more conservative views than the LDS churches.
Although each ward is run by the local bishop, the First Presidency has set guidelines for all LDS churches across the world. For instance, there are only a few instruments that are allowed during sacrament meeting, including piano, organ, woodwinds, strings, and harp. They need special permission to have guitar, drums, brass, or other instruments.
As far as musical style goes, musical numbers for Sacrament Meeting should have an emphasis on worship, not performance. Songs should be reverent and not jazzy or pop feeling.
Although there are many places for such music, Sacrament Meeting is not one of them. I am personally very grateful for such strict guidelines. I find it disconcerting to have a musical number that is too jazzy or embellished with hard, showy sections just to show someone’s performance level. I feel that Sacrament Meeting is for worshipping God, not for concerts. It is always nice to hear a beautiful song with a reverent attitude of worship rather than a showy performance done in an attitude of showing off.
This is a wonderful way that the LDS church is teaching people about the use of appropriate music. I am thankful for these guidelines that have shaped my musical awareness throughout my life.
I have mixed feelings about what has happened to music in church over the past few years. While I appreciate that music in Sacrament Meeting should add to the meeting and not be for performance purposes, along the way we’ve lost the opportunity for talented members to perform beautiful worship music for their ward. There is no Church venue anymore for that to happen. Members don’t know that they’re being shielded from excellent, beautiful music.
For centuries religion and worship have been the source for some of the most exquisite music on the earth. I find myself going to other churches in our area just to hear good organ music, good choirs, and good solo and ensemble performances. Music, beautiful music well prepared and performed by talented musician(s), adds a celestial dimension to a worship service that cannot be achieved in any other way.
I’m a reasonably good organist and I’m downright tired of being restricted to playing hymns.
What is happening is that our congregations are coming to believe that “worship music” is hymns poorly presented by ward choirs populated by people who don’t think they need to rehearse or prepare (everyone knows the hymns, right?), but just walk up to the stand and attempt to sing. As a result, choir directors pick the simplest of simple music and expect nothing more of their choir. That leads to congregations thinking this is somehow “normal” and that music in a meeting is the time to feed the children, an opportunity for friends to carry on a whispered conversation, a time for teenagers to ditch the meeting, and lines to form in the bathrooms.
I’m certain that Evan Stevens is turning over in his grave….!
It’s no wonder to me that members carry on conversations during the prelude with no thought to where they are … in the Sanctuary of the Lord’s House (for a hundred years that was the proper name in the Church for the chapel). I fear we’ve turned the prelude into “common music” that no longer has meaning to the members, except to accompany their enthusiastic secular conversations.
Perhaps the pendulum is starting to swing back a bit. In the each of the past two conferences, the Tabernacle Choir has been permitted to sing a piece of music that is not an arrangement of a hymn in our hymn book.
First, let me thank you for engaging in such a meaningful dialogue. You have given me a lot of things to think about. I agree that there are many selections besides the hymns that are appropriate for sacrament meeting. I don’t think it’s a good practice to perform unrehearsed and I don’t mean to give that impression. Sorry if I was unclear.
I agree with you that the quality of music has gone down as people’s standards of excellence have deteriorated in some instances, especially among younger musicians. I have heard many wonderful musical numbers from outside the hymns, including classical songs which have beautiful lyrics and lovely melodies which must be done with skill by an experienced musician. However, they also must be done by the spirit or it’s just a hollow performance. While I appreciate good music, I come to church to be uplifted and inspired, not entertained. I guess my point in writing this post is that the goal of the music is not to entertain us or to puff up someone’s ego with a great performance, but to inspire and uplift and to worship.
It is good to note that a well done musical number will make people want to praise God for the gifts He has given and the talents He has blessed people with. That is why we are given talents and gifts of the spirit; to edify and strengthen others, not only to benefit our lives, but to uplift and strengthen others. Music is one very important part of our worship services. I don’t feel that my Sunday is complete if I haven’t worshiped through song. Many Sundays, I find myself pouring out my heart over the piano after we get home. Music should not be taken lightly and it should not be a casual thing in our services. Something that has so much power to lift and strengthen each person, whether musically talented or not, should be a main consideration in planning each Sunday service. Those who are called on to provide music should take the time to prepare sufficiently both musically and spiritually. And, we as members have a responsibility to partake of that gift by reverently listening and refraining from other inappropriate activities when a musical number is being performed.
It’s all so silly and shallow.
People get so caught up in the superficial details of these so-called “rules.” They are not RULES, people. They are “guidelines,” set by the Church leaders, and put into action by LOCAL leaders, as they see fit — hopefully in the spirit of prayer.
Look: There is NO “ban” on using brass instruments in sacrament meeting. Not outside of UT, Idaho, and places ruled by non-thinking, ultra-conservative local bishops and stake presidents.
As to brass instruments not being “appropriate” for sacrament meeting: Um…gee, has anyone listened to the music in the Temple ceremony film lately? What instruments are featured *prominently* throughout the whole thing? BRASS INSTRUMENTS.
“Golly,” you may wonder, “if French horns, trombones and trumpets are just fine in the Temple of God — the most holy, sacred, reverent place on earch — then why aren’t they OK in sacrament meeting?”
The answer is “They ARE.”
Brass instruments are used in a reverent, *appropriate* manner in the Temple music. Just like they can be in a sacrament meeting. The person playing and the bishop need to use their judgement to make the appropriate call, not just follow some CULTURAL guideline as if it were some communist ban.
Fortunately, for every bishop or stake president who blindly just says “NO BRASS is allowed in our sacrament meetings,” there are dozens — nay, hundreds — of leaders all over the world who exercise their judgement (as God intends), and allows the use of brass instruments when appropriate.
Same thing for the actual music chosen. It should be “hymn-like”: Key word, LIKE. There is NO “rule” that all the music must be hymns from our hymnbook. NONE.
I have been fortunate enough to play organ at meetings where President Hinckley was present not once, but twice. For the prelude and postlude music, I did not play ONE hymn from the LDS hymnbook. Why *would* I? God has inspired *SO* much gorgeous, spiritual, moving, worshipful and reverent sacred music throughout the ages. You think that Heavenly Father wants to hear “Israel, Israel God is Calling” and “Come, Come Ye Saints” over and over and over and over again!??? Ridiculous.
Emma chose hymns for the 1st LDS hymnbook that she KNEW. Hymns from that time, in that region. NOT the “only spiritual hymns ever written good enough for sacrament meetings in 2009.” Most of those hymns aren’t even in our current hymnal! And there are *thousands* of hymns that are 100% appropriate for use in Church: Every heard of “Amazing Grace”, for example???
This whole issue is one of CULTURE, and the fact is that too many members (and local leaders) get stuck in silly nit-picking, instead of focusing on what is actually important.
In the days of King David and Solomon, etc., ALL worship services were sung, AND used both brass and percussion.
Hmmm…you think God had a problem with that?
I don’t think so.
Nor does He now.
Lansing McLoskey
I usually do not do commenting. but thanks for this great post and looking forward to more.
In the first post I have to correct the last comment about the LDS church “teaching” people about the use of appropriate music. While many churches have gotten off the “beaten path” of traditional hymns, it has been tradition and part of my non LDS upbringing to know what appropriate church music is..ie hymns, organ, piano, bell choir instruments only etc. And that wasn’t taught to me by the LDS church. I think I can speak for many many non LDS people on this one.
Let us remember to maintain a spirit of harmony and peace, for the Lord came that our contentions may cease, and our love be made perfect.
I am so grateful for the sacred hymns of praise that have been written, played and sung with passion and sincerity, and I am grateful for leaders who strive to be in tune with a higher spirit, that elevates them and allows them to see things with the correct eternal and celectial perspective. I challenge all the good men and women of the church to seek out this same spirit when working with the music of the church. If we all seek to come unto Christ in our hymns and in all things we will be enriched and enlightened to understand his good-will in an ever-changing world. Saints! Awake! Love the Lord, seek his Spirit, and sing praises to his name!
In this there is everlasting success and happiness.