Importance of the Liturgy

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

 

[rcthompson88]

Why not both?

[Vort]

2 hours ago, rcthompson88 said:

Why not both?

Because showmanship is the polar opposite of what the Spirit requires. The show itself, the spectacle, is by its nature immodest, as it exists to draw the eye to itself. The Spirit is never immodest, never showy. The things of God are of solemn import and should always be approached with that in mind.

[askandanswer]

Well at least he got the colour right. And I think he's wearing a tie. 

[Carborendum]

I've heard of people singing Hallelujah (by Leonard Cohen) in church simply because it used the word hallelujah and had some biblical references.  Apparently, people don't actually listen to lyrics.

[zil2]

28 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

I've heard of people singing Hallelujah (by Leonard Cohen) in church simply because it used the word hallelujah and had some biblical references.  Apparently, people don't actually listen to lyrics.

The music is beautiful.  Too bad the lyrics aren't.  I can't believe a bishop allowed the song to be sung - you'd think he would read all the lyrics before hand...

[Carborendum]

8 minutes ago, zil2 said:

The music is beautiful.  Too bad the lyrics aren't.  I can't believe a bishop allowed the song to be sung - you'd think he would read all the lyrics before hand...

This was not in our church.  It was in a friend's church.

[zil2]

39 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

This was not in our church.  It was in a friend's church.

Thank heaven!

[Traveler]

There is an interesting passage in 3Nephi that indicates that certain very strong manifestations of the spirit cannot be communicated.  As strange as it seems and I myself, a scientist by profession, have experienced manifestations of the spirit that I am unable to communicate to others (except by the spirit).  To me it is not a matter of failure of scientific method as it is the ability to reproduce the parameters of an experiment to duplicate the result.   Thus – even this explanation is insufficient and obviously lacking.

Many read the Book of Mormon and pray but do not receive a spiritual witness.  Likewise, the Bible.  I have even encountered individuals that do not trust or believe in mathematics.  I have decided guessing why someone does not understand a truth or receive enlightenment is most unfruitful.  In short, I do not know why someone will or can stand in the light of noon day and claim they cannot decipher it from night.  I do not know why anyone will say obvious logic does not affect them – so they believe whatever they will.  Especially in religion and politics – I do not know why a consensus is difficult (or impossible). 

I can only account for myself – perhaps that is the root of the problem.  If I cannot understand the logic of something – I cannot believe it.  It surprises me that so many come to conclusions ignoring the outcome of logic.  I find it very reassuring that Jesus taught, even his most ardent skeptics, with clear unmistakable logic and yet, in most cases, it ticked them off instead of convincing them.   Appealing to vanity often works – but to me – that is a tactic of Satan.

 

The Traveler

[zil2]

Litter G:

[misfit]

On 10/16/2023 at 10:02 AM, Carborendum said:

I

 

Edited January 27, 2024 by misfit

[Traveler]

On 10/16/2023 at 11:33 AM, zil2 said:

Litter G:

I wish there was an emoji of a hand on a head in disbelief – in essence an “Oh no – I cannot believe you posted this”  but with some humor.  😎

 

The Traveler

[Carborendum]

16 hours ago, misfit said:

I've played it instrumentally before at a music concert, so the lyrics weren't heard.  I do like the tune!  The lyrics aren't any worse than some scripture in the bible.  In fact - they are quite mild compared to many of them.

I'm guessing you haven't hear Leonard Cohen's original lyrics.  Most people have heard Pentatonix version which is toned down -- but still not appropriate for Church.

But the question is not about "family friendly" content (although that certainly ought to be considered).  It is about whether certain words, phrases, and depictions are appropriate for a musical number in Sacrament meeting.

As an instrumental, perhaps it isn't exactly inappropriate.  But I don't know what it ads to a Sacrament experience.

I once was in a student ward and was waiting for people to show up for church.  This was at BYU, so our "chapel" was a classroom that had a piano.  As I was waiting alone, I began playing John Lennon's Imagine.  No lyrics.  Just the piano.  It's a pretty tune.

I was pretty a-political at that point in my life.  But a particular conservative student (what? at BYU?  No way!) asked if I could play a different song.  He was very polite.  But he really didn't appreciate me playing it (because of the communist themes in the song).

It may be only instrumental.  But we all know what the "official" lyrics to the song are.  And playing the tune can't help but bring up the lyrics to most people's minds.