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.
Quote from the LDS church handbook: “Instruments with a prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting.” This contradicts the bible that says to praise God with brass. It is also inconsistent with the fact that organs are equipped with brass stops.
“…such as MOST brass…” Not ALL brass. Let’s be clear. And as long as it is in keeping with the rest of the instruction in the Handbook, then it is fine.
And I might disagree, personally, that “Amazing Grace” is appropriate for Sacrament Meeting. Simply because it is too popularized.
I found it very very sad that a youth who just moved here to our ward in Utah from Hawaii was not allowed to play his guitar during testimony meeting.
This was how he worshiped God and how he could communicate his feelings, but the local leaders told him that he would not be able to play it.
I totally understand trying to get away from the “Entertainment” but who are we to say what kind of music people can use to worship God. I never really felt that inspired by people singing Hymns in sacrament meeting but the first time I stepped into another Church I had tears streaming down my face and I have never felt the spirit more strong in a Church Building. They were playing Guitars, Drums, Piano, etc. as the audience had their eyes closed with the hands raised in the air. They were truly worshiping God with songs of praise. Some may think that this might not be a true form of worship, but there is no way you could convince them of that.
There are 4 commonly played brass families: trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba. So, what lucky brass family was the one minority instrument created with a worshipful sound? Do you really think they know the answer let alone us? Face it – this statement in our handbook is a put down of all brass in general with an ambiguous disclaimer of “more”.
I have served in music callings in the church for over 25 years. I like to follow the general church guidelines carefully, and use mostly hymns in our worship meetings. Two experiences have made me cautious about what is played in church. Years ago I invited a cellist to play for Sacrament services, but his performance was just that—a performance of a recital song he had been working on. It did not contribute at all to the spiritual worship of the service. And years later as I was an organist one Sunday, a visiting former member of the ward, a very accomplished organist, asked to play a song, and he just played a big song with a lot of show off notes. It only embarrassed me and again did not contribute to the spirit of the worship service.
I have always been careful about the musical numbers performed in our meetings, but I also try to have one every month. I am cautious about what is performed, but I don’t shy away from inviting other’s to prepare something. I think most members make great choices. The ones I don’t like are the ones that are meant to show off, not for worship. But that happens so rarely. I do think musical choices should be screened by music leaders. It’s not quite the same as giving a talk, it is a performance. Music can be a very powerful addition to our worship services, perhaps influence us more than any speaker can.
Our ward choirs are usually not made up of trained musicians. But it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t join in singing together. Families should be invited and encouraged to come to choir and learn the songs together (including the small children). I’ve noticed that it’s not ‘cool’ for teens to be in choir, so if they start when they’re young, perhaps they will stay with it when they are older.
Thoughtful music leaders can put together nice musical performances, which might include brass instruments as well as guitars and other string and wind instruments. I appreciate that local leaders can make these decisions about what is appropriate, but there are many guidelines given us by our church leaders. So we look to both to make our worship services most meaningful to all that are there.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir usually sings hymns, but they are excellent arrangements of them. We do need more trained musicians in our church. Parents need to find ways to get their children into music lessons so they can lead the music programs in their future wards.
And I agree that it would be wonderful if members would be quiet and reverent in the chapel, like before the meetings begin. We are a very noisy bunch of people before church. I know we love saying hi to each other, but we really need to wait until after the meeting is over before visiting with others. I can rarely hear the organist play prelude each Sunday.
It’s fun to hear what you all think about music in our church!
I feel like there are a lot of great opinions and possible hurt feelings being expressed here. Now that is all perfectly fine, but let us remember that although this rule may not make sense to our minds, it is in a manual put out by those whom we as lds believe to be inspired of God. Essentially there may be a reason that we are not yet aware of that this rule is necessary. Now with that being said, one of my sweet friends played her guitar during a why I believe meeting which was in the relief society room. So maybe the Lord feels it unnecessary to have these instruments during one hour every week, but otherwise he has no problem with them. Even the Mormon Tabernacle Chior is often accompanied by these brass instruments during church “events”.
Music is such a big part of my Sunday worship. If we don’t have choir on Sundays, I feel a bit empty and my Sunday is not complete. I usually play my heart out on my piano or guitar when I get home. Without music in the church, there is also a feeling of something to be desired. What a treat to have a musical number! I agree that it should not be a performance, like for a concert, but it should be well prepared and reverent. There is a place for other forms of music at firesides and concerts. Sacrament meeting has the guidelines set in the handbooks for a reason and I would have to agree that it should be followed as closely as possible.