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Sep 2008 Issue
By Cheryl Stewart Osborn
Let’s be honest with ourselves: Are we afraid to sing hymns in church like we really mean them? Are we so intimidated by our lack of vocal prowess that we sing quietly in hopes that others won’t hear us? (I’m guilty of this.) Or do we subscribe to the notion that the more solemnly we sing, the more reverent we are being?
At a ward I attended recently the members sang the traditional anthem “Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning” barely above a whisper and at a much slower tempo than it is intended to be sung. In fact, the pace at which the song droned on was at the same somber rate that many LDS congregations across the United States employ.
Whether it is a funeral march or a celebration of our Savior, the solemn tempo and inflections of our hymns seem to rarely fluctuate. Certainly all is not right if we lack enthusiasm in singing hymns to our Lord – or don’t sing them correctly.
As a child who grew up in the church, I don’t remember all the hymns being sung the same way as they seem to be now. Sister Killian was our ward chorister. With widespread fast-moving hands she elicited the congregation to sing exultantly, or by bringing her hands slowly together she guided us to sing softly, with inflection and meaning.
Sister Killian had our full attention as she led us in joyfully singing praises, while the various organists did their best to keep up. Some did, some didn’t. But Sister Killian just kept on going and so did we.
Sister Killian’s simple nuances taught me, even as a child with no musical talent, that the messages in the hymns were powerful and that there was a right way to sing them.
In the Doctrine & Covenants the Lord tells Joseph Smith, “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.” (Doctrine & Covenants 25:12).
Do we sing as though it is a prayer unto our Lord? Or are we afraid to express the joy for the Gospel and love for our God that these sacred hymns should passionately invoke? Perhaps we are so steeped in our reserved cultural traditions that we feel singing with passion isn’t reverent, or that all our hymns must be sung slow and somber to be sacred?
Our hymn book suggests otherwise. In the upper left corner of each song printed in Hymns, instructions are given as to how each song should be sung. Of the 308 songs contained in the book (not counting those intended for choirs), significantly more than half ought to be sung “Joyfully,” “Fervently,” “Resolutely,” “Majestically,” “Energetically,” “Boldly,” “Vigorously,” “Brightly” or ”Cheerfully.” In other words, sung “With conviction!”
Of course some hymns are intended to be sung more “Peacefully,” “Reverently,” “Gently” or “Prayerfully,” especially those that are sung while the Sacrament is being prepared. Sacred among all hymns are those that remind us of the sacrifice and the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement. Perhaps, though, these songs may be more meaningful when other songs that are intended to be sung vigorously don’t sound just like them.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said, “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111) Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings in creating an atmosphere for spirituality, personal revelation, and conversion.
In the First Presidency Preface of Hymns it states, “Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.” It also states, “Hymns provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.”
Passively singing at church, or choosing not to sing along, does not accomplish these objectives. We must all be active participants. Sacrament meetings will become more meaningful to us and to others if we actively engage in singing.
Not all choristers may be as skilled as Sister Killian, and not all organists are able to play each hymn at the speed at which it was intended to be played; but all can magnify their talents and callings by expressing passion as they lead and accompany, by eliciting the congregation to sing joyfully, and by encouraging each other to pick up the tempo as needed.
Each Sunday let us create some positive energy at church as we enthusiastically join in praising God through hymns. Let our singing be appropriately joyful, fervent, majestic and energetic. Sing like you mean it!
