This is part one in a two-part educational series by author Christopher Millz on the multiple meanings of Religious Symbolism. For those who have particular interest or questions regarding the religious symbols of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( “Mormons”), this will be particularly helpful and enlightening. I encourage you to watch both parts. As always your respectful feedback and comments are welcome! - MoSop
Twenty-five years ago Ray Barnett visited Uganda, where he first envisioned the African Children’s Choir™. Today, the Music for Life program has helped hundreds of African children receive shelter, food, education, musical training, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Many of these children have lost one or both parents to war, AIDS, and other effects of poverty. The children selected for the world touring choir range in age from 7-11 years old. Once chosen, the organization commits to long-term support of the child through primary, secondary and upper education, which ensures the child transitions into adulthood with a career and a bright future. The Music for Life program has become so successful, and the need is so great, that a larger school is currently under contruction.
These children have become the rising leaders of their countries. Programs are currently located in Uganda, Kenya, Rowanda, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Former graduates of the choir program now have professional careers in the areas of science, medicine, finance, international relations, journalism, and more. They actively serve their country and community in humanitarian work. The healing power of music, combined with love and Christian education is creating peace and hope in Africa, one life at a time.
The Nkomazi children singing “You Are The Shepherd”
Purchase one of their beautiful Music CDs, in time for Christmas!
Or, give an online donation (all amounts large or small welcome)
I have discovered a lovely and fascinating video which combines a Byzantine era Christmas song in arabic, with beautiful images. The english translation is included.
It is easy to forget that there are devout followers of Christ found throughout all nationalities and cultures. This arabic chant describes Jesus Christ’s nativity, and has been preserved by the Christians of the Middle East who continue to bear witness of the Savior’s birth in their land. Although this style of music is not familiar to our western ear, it is most likely that a similar melody was lullaby to the infant Jesus. I encourage you to let it wrap around your heart, as you enjoy this visual treat.
A few weeks ago, a blog buddy of mine named John Shore sent me an email. Knowing that I am a Mormon, he shared an article recently published by Richard Abanes, which presents the theory that Mormonism has legally been declared non-Christian.
On inspection this post’s startling claim does not hold water. I would like to offer my personal response as a researched, fact-based rebuttal, in order to provide balance and fairness for readers.
It is my hope that many will take the time to consider my words. I wish to clarify misconceptions, and help you experience a little peace in your day. Continue reading →
Two LDS (Mormon) missionaries performed an act of heroism this week, saving a woman’s life. The two young men, Elder Beard and Elder Bennellack, are serving full-time missions in Australia for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were put to the ultimate test, when walking down the street they came upon a pregnant woman being repeatedly stabbed. Although the young men had no training for such a dangerous situation they immediately went to the woman’s rescue. They miraculously were able to talk the attacker away from the victim, who then fled. They carried the woman to safety, and flagged down a man in a car passing by who turned out to be an off-duty policeman. The woman was taken to the hospital for immediate care, and the attacker was arrested a very short time later.
One of the missionaries stated that “everything just came together” for being at the right place at the right time. What a brilliant example of bravery and selfless service. There were certainly many miracles involved. This is a beautiful 21st century version of the good samaritan parable. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ being put into action!
During Jesus Christ’s ministry, His faithful disciples often heard gospel principles taught by thought-provoking short stories known as parables. Jesus utilized a fantastic teaching tool, knowing that stories sink deep into the memory. The more a story is pondered, the more meaningful they can become.
Thus, when a lawyer chose to challenge the Savior on a point of doctrine, Jesus used His masterful technique. The Book of Luke, chapter 10 records the event. Attempting to entrap Jesus, the lawyer asked, Continue reading →
Dr. Mack Wilberg has written a new arrangement of the American Folk Hymn entitled “My Song in the Night” which is hauntingly beautiful. I have tried to do some research online regarding its origin and history, and came up a bit empty-handed. However, the text to this hymn is particularly haunting. The words invoke an attitude of deep personal pleading:
My Song In The Night
O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night
Come to us with Thy tender love, my souls’ delight,
Unto Thee O Lord in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song In the night.
O why should I wander an alien from Thee,
Or cry in the desert Thy face to see,
My comfort and joy, my souls’ delight,
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The text of this hymn most certainly takes inspiration from the following scriptures:
“I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with my own heart, and my spirit made diligent search.”- Psalm 77:6
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“Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night?” – Job 35:10
For Latter-day Saints, one of the beloved scriptures regarding the divine purpose of music is found in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 25.This is a written record of the priesthood blessing that Emma Smith, wife of the prophet Joseph received in Harmony, Pennsylvania during July of 1830. Emma is praised for her character and devotion, and she is given words of personal encouragement and comfort.Emma is also instructed to compile the first hymnal of the Church, with an added explanation of the importance:
“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” – vs.12
It is particularly touching to think of song as a prayer. It stands to reason that raising our voices in prayer is a heavenly form of communication – and becomes a silent song to our God. Likewise, raising our voices in song becomes a musical form of communion. As the lyrics above state, song is a human “delight”. I submit that music is also an intrinsic need of our souls. We were born to sing. And in turn, the Lord will commune with us by sending His own song in response.
How do we spiritually sing to our God? There are many ways. The scriptures give several good points of departure.
1. To give thanks for all things:
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” - Ephesians 5:1, 8, 19-20
2. To express joy even in affliction:
“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.”
3. To acknowledge the Lord’s hand in our lives daily:
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.” – Psalm 96:1-2
These are such beautiful verses. Each poetic and tuneful in their own right. Indeed, by internalizing these words and pondering them are we not already experiencing a “song of the heart”?
Singing is such a personal form of expression. No two voices are alike. Alone, one voice can penetrate a dark night, and make it bearable. And when music and voices are combined they can become a powerful force to be reckoned with. Joshua’s army of trumpets and voices brought down the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6). The prayer and songs of Paul & Silas brought down their prison walls (Acts 16)!
What symbolic “walls” could a song and prayer of our hearts bring down for each of us? Indeed, I believe the song-full prayers of our hearts have unimaginable healing power.
The imagery of Night is important in this particular American Hymn. Night is a time when souls often feel the most forlorn and forgotten. Having spent many sleepless nights in a hospital near my daughter’s bedside, I can attest that pain, sorrow and loneliness are prolonged at an agonizing pace. Depression also runs deepest in the dark hours. We know that suicide claims multitudes before the hope of dawn. It is not by mere chance that Satan himself is called the “Prince of Darkness”. Surely, his power and work runs most rampant through the midnight hours. Indeed, the dark embodies Fear itself.
Yet, we are told that the Savior will be our song in the night. What a beautiful promise! He sings to our soul during times of the greatest distress. He lifts us through the fog and mist. The divine power of music can bring a peace that “surpasses all understanding”. Music brings comfort. Music is hope. Music penetrates directly into our hearts and deepest corners of our souls. I have personally experienced this more times than I could possibly count. A song can truly bring the Spirit of Christ into a room with immediacy, and unlike any other force. Once the Spirit of Christ has entered, He is the Light. And where there is Light, no Darkness can dwell.
“I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with my own heart, and myspirit made diligent search.” Ps. 77:6
Perhaps we should therefore rejoice in the nighttime’s of our lives! For it is when we are submersed into the darkest places of our heart that we are then prepared to ‘diligently search’ for, recognize, and embrace the Light.
An anonymous American hymn testifies this truth to us;
Today is Easter Sunday. A little trivia: It is the earliest calendar date that Easter will be celebrated for nearly two centuries. The Christian world is commemorating Continue reading →
For Latter-day Saints, one of the beloved scriptures regarding the divine purpose of music is found in the 
It is particularly touching to think of song as a prayer. It stands to reason that raising our voices in 
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” 
“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.”
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.” – 
The imagery of Night is important in this particular American Hymn. Night is a time when souls often feel the most forlorn and forgotten. Having spent many sleepless nights in a hospital near my daughter’s bedside, I can attest that pain, sorrow and loneliness are prolonged at an agonizing pace. Depression also runs deepest in the dark hours. We know that suicide claims multitudes before the hope of dawn. It is not by mere chance that Satan himself is called the “Prince of Darkness”. Surely, his power and work runs most rampant through the midnight hours. Indeed, the dark embodies Fear itself. 
Yet, we are told that the Savior will be our song in the night. What a beautiful promise! He sings to our soul during times of the greatest distress. He lifts us through the fog and mist. The divine power of music can bring a peace that “surpasses all understanding”. Music brings comfort. Music 
Perhaps we should therefore rejoice in the nighttime’s of our lives! For it is when we are submersed into the darkest places of our heart that we are then prepared to ‘diligently search’ for, recognize, and embrace the Light. 
