agendabed

Hymns are "an essential part of our Church meetings. [They] invite the presence of the Spirit of theLord"4; and often do it faster than anything we can get to do. President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said, "Perhaps we draw closer to the Lord through music than by any other means exceptprayer."

Two missionaries who were in Peru teaching an elderly couple were interrupted by the arrival of their son, wife, and three children. The elders explained who they were and what they were doing. but the mistrust that the son showed in the missionaries gave rise to a rather uncomfortable moment. The younger companion prayed silently, "Heavenly Father, what do we do?"; and received the impression that they should sing, so they chanted "I am a childof God." The Spirit touched the hearts of that family of five, and instead of two, seven people were converted, initially influenced by a hymn.

Music in Church meetings and classes should create a spirit of worship, revelation, and testimony. The bishopric or branch presidency has a responsibility to choose or approve music for sacrament meetings. They ensure that music, words, and musical instruments are sacred, adequate, and encourage worship and revelation. Music becomes a "performance" when it causes attention to focus on performance. Years ago, I was in charge of music at a meeting where a special musical number was a "performance." I was disappointed. The spirit of worship in the meeting decay.