Musical instruments in Sacrament Meeting?

[Elphaba]

the intent of showing how skilled they are and not with the intent of enriching themselves and the membership,

This makes no sense to me.

Every person who sings or plays an instrument, by virtue of his talent, enriches himself; else, he wouldnd't be a musician. And when this musician plays to the congregation, it is granted he will feel enriched himself, even more so because he knows his music is going to enrich the congregation as well.

I wouldn't want to listen to musicians in a Sacrament Meeting who were not enriched by their music. If they are not enriched, neither will the congregation be.

I am not contending the bishop, et al, should not be involved in the choice of music. That obviously is their perogative annd the musician(s) must follow that counsel, whether the musician likes it or not.

I just don't see how a gifted performer, playing to the best of her abilities, precludes the performance from enriching both her and the congregation.

Can't both be enriched?

Perhaps I'm reading something into this that wasn't meant. If so let me know. If not, put all of the above in the handbook for me, will ya MOE?

Elphaba

[dazed-and-confused]

Most chapels i've seen have a piano in it......a string instrument.....isn't it?

[Moksha]

[Jenamarie]

I think what MOE was referring to was pride. If the choir or performer is performing in church because it's a captive audience and they can "show off" a bit, then that is not an appropriate Spirit to bring to the meeting. It's one thing for a performer who loves their art to want to share that art with the congregation, and another thing for someone who loves the *attention* they get from their art to perform for the congregation so that they can get more of that attention, whether their performance brings the Spirit or not.

I think it's similar to what one of the GA's related in Conference this weekend (can't remember which one!) when they talked about the simple, non-English speaking convert who, in broken English, gave a very powerful, spirit-filled lesson, and the more studious Gospel Doctrine teacher who used obscure references and large words, not to increase the Spiritual edification of his audience, but to show off how smart he was.

One is appropriate for worshipping the Lord, the other isn't.

[silvermoon]

Invite your Bishop over for dinner and while he is there play him the piece you would like to play in Sacrament meeting. This way he has a chance to feel the Spirit with it and can make a better judgment call on it. This isn't my own idea. This idea was offered by Marvin Goldstien, a musician/speaker and B.Y.U. education week. He travels the worlds playing piano and does quite a lot with the church music programs. He is pushing for more music and more variety in Sacrament meetings.

[talisyn]

That's a really good idea, silvermoon. I like it.

Elphaba, I understand what you're saying. But I think (to use a really bad analogy) it's like the difference between a really good basketball player who keeps dunking the ball and a really good basketball player who can assist.

[RipplecutBuddha]

Lessee....I've seen violins, flutes, harmonicas, acoustic guitars, and a cello used for special musical numbers in a sacrament meeting. Not all at once, mind you (lol at the image that brings up...)

But in each case the spirit was present and strengthened by the event.

As has been stated before, when the performance is so the performer can 'strut their stuff', whether it is topically appropriate or not, it shouldn't be accepted.

Remember that sunday services, and sacrament meeting especially, are for the congregation to remember and renew their covenants with Jesus Christ, and to gain spiritual strength from hearing the message of the Gospel. They are not for the musically gifted of the ward to demonstrate their skills.

Along with accepting the discretion of the Bishop, I would also add that having too many special musical numbers can be distracting to the spirit and lead to a one-up type of competition within the ward.

"Brother so-and-so was good last week...Sister so-and-so will have to throw down to do better..."

Let's keep our eyes on the purpose of gathering in the first place.

[pam]

I have seen someone use a guitar and sing "A poor wayfaring man." But that's been the only time in all my years I have seen anyone use a guitar.

[MarginOfError]

This makes no sense to me.

Every person who sings or plays an instrument, by virtue of his talent, enriches himself; else, he wouldnd't be a musician. And when this musician plays to the congregation, it is granted he will feel enriched himself, even more so because he knows his music is going to enrich the congregation as well.

I wouldn't want to listen to musicians in a Sacrament Meeting who were not enriched by their music. If they are not enriched, neither will the congregation be.

I am not contending the bishop, et al, should not be involved in the choice of music. That obviously is their perogative annd the musician(s) must follow that counsel, whether the musician likes it or not.

I just don't see how a gifted performer, playing to the best of her abilities, precludes the performance from enriching both her and the congregation.

Can't both be enriched?

Perhaps I'm reading something into this that wasn't meant. If so let me know. If not, put all of the above in the handbook for me, will ya MOE?

Elphaba

JenaMarie explained my intent well. to rephrase it a little though, a person who performs in Sacrament meeting should do it with the intent of glorifying God. When done appropriately, the act will enrich the performer and the audience. However, if the person performs with the intent of glorifying him or herself, it's come to an area of questionable value.

I'll work on revising the handbooks for you if you start coming back to church.