Years ago when I was a girl attending the small Baptist Church, that I enjoyed so much, we sang lots of Hymns. Each Sunday we'd have a segment that you could call out requests for the congregation to sing. Once in awhile the preacher would call someone up to do a spontaneous solo or duet. Dixie and I would sometimes go up and sing a hymn we both loved. Actually there were two. I Come to the Garden Alone and also The Old Rugged Cross. Truly kids will do anything!! It shocks both of us to think we actually did that feat! I loved the words, the melody, the lilt and how it made me feel. I've never forgotten these words.
I Come To The Garden Alone
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I missed the singing of lots of hymns, on Sunday, when I joined the Church but soon adapted. I love our LDS Hymns. In summer of 1985, our son Greg and his wife were young college students. Home again, to Alaska, to live with us and earn summer money for the upcoming school year. The new green Hymnal came out and Lorrie, a pianist, and I sat for hours with her playing each new hymn so we could hear what they sounded like. Checking for new hymns and seeing which old ones had been discarded. It was an exciting time.
The preface by the First Presidency is filled with promises and counsel about singing hymns. Also we have Doctrine and Covenants 25 which also tells about blessings attending the singing of hymns. Just one more blessing from a very enjoyable act!!!
"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend the knotted oak." by William Congreve
Longfellow called music "the universal language of mankind".
Years ago I remember the old inservice manual, Teaching No Greater Call, and the segment they had about music- "being one of the most valuable but neglected aids"- in Church teaching. Not just for children but also adults.
If I had children at home, I'd use a lot more music than I did. I consciously used it when I discovered Janeen Brady's music. These were teaching character traits like honesty, gratitude, manners etc. etc. By then I was down to one child but it was a wonderful teaching tool. She had a great series. I wonder if they still make those? When he was in 6th grade I formed a group of 6 (or was it 8) children and we did a little performance for schools against drugs. Probably 6+ years later they could break into any of those songs. Such is the power of teaching with music.
I just checked and found Janeen Brady is still selling things! I had the Standin' Tall set. The drug one was called Safety Kids. http://www.britemusic.com/products
I would let my children play on this site and sing their hearts out, in today's world!!!
http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,4996-1,00.html (Interactive Church Music site) http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/
This is a great talk!!
The Nourishing Power of Hymns by Jay E. Jensen--General Conference 2007
Video:
Hymns play an essential role in spirituality, revelation, and conversion.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-nourishing-power-of-hymns?lang=eng&format=general-conference&view=sessions&media=video
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