In the meantime, I shared in last week's video message that I had noticed at Women's conference (on the song 'True to the Faith' ) there were no lyrics posted on the congregational hymns. Did you notice this too? In our chapel, the women were partially silent, some humming along as they fumbled for phones and hymn books trying to find the lyrics.
In that moment, I had the impression that we were being taught to know our hymns. Not just sing them from the books, but really KNOW them. I felt the Spirit say that we are to study our hymns and know them by heart - every single one.
Possible scenarios came to mind of future times when we may not have access to our hymn books or scriptures. Whether because of natural disasters, war, or unexpected events - wherever we live throughout the world, we may one day find ourselves temporarily or permanently without our material possessions. We may find ourselves in frightful or uncertain situations, at which times we could really benefit from the power of singing our hymns, and reciting scripture verses. Through singing we can offer comfort and strength to others.
Do you know your hymns? Do you know your scriptures? There is real power in knowing the Word. I recently wrote a post earlier this year (click here to read) about the power of the hymns - and facts most people don't know. There have been certain hymns I have been led to study this year. Study the lyrics, the melody, and the story behind the lyrics. There is a wealth of spiritual knowledge in our hymn books.
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| April 2017 Womens Conference |
I was curious to see what other members of the church were saying about this change in sans lyrics. In my search, I discovered that the lyrics were also missing from April 2017 conference. Here are some comments I found in LDS forum. https://tech.lds.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28519
One commenter wrote:
"We are no longer broadcasting the lyrics to the Congregational Hymn. Why, you ask?
All the world receives the same video feed. We then add over 90 live languages to that video. In a global church, it no longer makes sense to have everyone view the English lyrics on their screen.
So grab your Hymnal, or check out the LDS Music app and sing along in whichever language you prefer!"
The identity of the commenter is not verified, therefore this could be the commenter's own opinion. Many responded by asking why the screen does not at least list the hymn page number. I had the thought that most likely the hymn books throughout the world are probably not the same. Why would countries outside of the United States sing American patriotic songs such as "America the Beautiful" and the "Star-Spangled Banner"? I looked into it and discovered that the German hymn book for example has 210 hymns and the American Hymn Book has 341 hymns. That's a big difference! So page numbers would not be the same for a particular hymn, depending on where you live in the world.
We have been a global church for years, and have always had subtitles on the screen. It's interesting that they no longer include them. I truly feel it is a push to know our hymns.
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| April 2015 Women's Conference |
In regards to International Hymn Books, did you know?
The journey to producing an international version of the hymnbook begins with a request from an Area Presidency. Following approval, a years-long process begins that involves the Area Presidency, a local committee made up of those with musical knowledge, and the Church’s General Music Committee.
International hymnbooks typically comprise 200 to 206 hymns: Church headquarters provides a standard list of 104 hymns and a recommended list of 50 hymns from the English hymnbook. All language hymnbooks include the standard list, and most include all those on the recommended list.
The remaining hymns may be chosen by the area committee. Many of these are selected from the current English hymnbook. A few may come from former hymnbooks in the language. Some hymns indigenous to the country may also be chosen.
This structure allows for a wide variety in the number of hymns, as well as what hymns, an international hymnbook may contain. The Kekchi Hymns, for instance, contains the maximum 206 hymns. The Icelandic version, however, includes 120. (The Children’s Songbook has 139 standard songs, with nine pages allowed for areas to fill with personal choices.)
Once the list of hymns is finalized, local translators and sometimes translators from headquarters carefully work through the difficult process of rendering the hymns into the language.
“You want it to say what the English says, and to mean what the English means as closely as possible,” Brother Peck explained. “And you also want to maintain the poetic structure, matching as much as you can the poetic structure and rhythmic accentuation patterns.”
Although they try to match the translation to the original as closely as possible, sometimes small changes—the addition of an extra note or the tying of two notes together—are necessary to preserve musicality. A scriptures committee checks to make sure everything is doctrinally correct before the international version is typeset—the final step before the hymnbook is released.
“Translating text for music is difficult. You can translate it literally, losing the poetry, or you can translate it poetically and lose the meaning. Finding a happy medium and still matching the text with the music is an art,” said Diane Bastian - music manager for the Church.
“Our sacred music prepares us to be taught the truths of the gospel,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught in explaining why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses a standard hymnbook. He continued, “We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and learn our doctrine.”
https://www.lds.org/church/news/international-hymnbooks-unify-saints-around-the-world?lang=eng
In the moment last weekend during the hymn "True to the Faith", I felt impressed to study and learn more about this hymn. I was sad I did not know it by heart - as I have always loved the lyrics. This hymn has a powerful message and it rings loud and clear with what I have been sharing about forsaking false traditions and holding tight to the iron rod, while always seeking the Lord's will before your own.
1. Shall the youth of Zion falter
In defending truth and right?
While the enemy assaileth,
Shall we shrink or shun the fight? No!
True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.
2. While we know the pow’rs of darkness
Seek to thwart the work of God,
Shall the children of the promise
Cease to grasp the iron rod? No!
True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.
3. We will work out our salvation;
We will cleave unto the truth;
We will watch and pray and labor
With the fervent zeal of youth. Yes!
True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.
4. We will strive to be found worthy
Of the kingdom of our Lord,
With the faithful ones redeemed
Who have loved and kept his word. Yes!
True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand
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| Evan Stephens |
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| Evan Stephens |
How wonderful to have a song specifically designed to strengthen the youth. The rising generation always have a big burden to carry. This song is perfect for buoying up the youth and reminding the youth why they shall not falter.
In the day and age that we live in, I do see the wisdom in learning our hymns. Though it was a subtle change at conference, that not everyone noticed - I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.
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