[Teachldsseminary] OT -- Inspiration

Tue Jan 9 00:01:57 MST 2007

As a newer Bishop (7 months) I'll share some thoughts too.

The power of revelation is a language in and of itself and each time we use
it we hope it becomes clearer in the direction we receive. I'm not entirely
convinced that this is always the case as the Lord still needs to lead us
along in each area by faith. So saying the right thing in an interview or
blessing may come very easily, while special insight into someone's personal
problems may require a struggle in the Spirit, prayer, fasting and the
scriptures. 

The bishopric may not fully know why they felt a need to sing a particular
song or they may know that it directly coincides with a need that some
person or persons need. We've heard as seminary teachers that when we feel
the spirit during a meeting we have learned something and sometimes it is
not along the subject being taught but learn we have. 

Someone mentioned letting the songs remain and not sweat the little things.
Since the song of the Righteous is a prayer, no song should be viewed as a
small thing. And someone's salvation could hang in the balance over a simple
song. 

The music director should feel as though her inspiration is needed and
should continue to be nurtured. However, there are several principles that
are available to learn and teach here. 

1. We don't always know who the Lord will inspire to be in church, and prior
to that person finally responding the songs were correct but there may be
someone who needs the other one. I would remind all that Elder Bednar in his
second conference address on the Tender Mercies of the Lord, that now
classic talk, was actually inspired by one of the songs sung on his first
conference as an Apostle. His inspiration for one of the most classic modern
talks and expounding of a short scriptural reference was music!

2. The hard lesson is that her inspiration doesn't truly trump that of the
bishop(ric) and maybe this is time prepared for her to learn that. The
creeping danger evident here is something like "I'm right about xyz and I
should not be challenged about it". I realize the doubting of self potential
as well which is why careful discovery of her thoughts is important.

3. Sometimes we forget that we don't always have a perfect receptor for
inspiration and can find times that we need direction as much as we are
desirous to give it. 

I know it is difficult to know where as a Bishop to jump in and where to let
people receive revelation and there are times that a Bishop must do both as
hard as either course will be to pursue. 

Brien Hamrick
San Diego - missing EMS!

-----Original Message-----
From: teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com
[mailto:teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com] On Behalf Of
jarvismail at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 1:13 PM
To: Free Email list for LDS Seminary Teachers
Subject: Re: [Teachldsseminary] OT -- Inspiration

Thanks so much.  Both my husband and I have served as Ward/Stake Music
Chairman, and I had the opportunity to take a class from Michael Moody years
ago when the new handbook was first published (getting training from the
horses mouth).  Yes, this gal is also currently the Ward Music Chair (part
of the reason for the meeting yesterday was to release her from that
calling), and has had those callings for over 20 years (okay, this is
another story).  Yes, she does need training -- and this will be a trying
experience for both her and my sweetheart.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sister Jarvis

--
Sister Jarvis 
Marysville Washington EMS 
20 Juniors (and 3 investigors)

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: sjagnana at mac.com 

> I have been a stake music chairman as well as conduct music for 
> sacrament meetings, thus I chose the music for the meetings under the 
> direction of the bishopric. In any calling we are to understand we 
> are under the direction of the priesthood from whom we receive that 
> calling and that they may give direction that we are to follow at any 
> time. Your husband might want to have the ward music chairman or 
> stake sit down with this sister, handbook in hand and make sure she 
> is trained in this principle. If she is also the ward music 
> chairman it sounds like she is in need of training. With that said 
> maybe this new bishopric needs some training... no disrespect 
> intended. Allowing stewardship is very important when extending a 
> calling. If they have given this sister a topic or theme for the 
> meeting she should be able to choose from the approved hymnal 
> appropriate (already approved) music for your meetings. I really do 
> not see any need in this situation for micro management? 
> 
> Now that being said, I am assuming we are talking only about the 
> green hymnbook and choosing opening, closing and the sacrament hymn. 
> But IF you are referring to choir number selections, they must ALWAYS 
> be approved by the bishopric! This is where things can really go off 
> in strange places and I have heard some crazy things out there. lol 
> Please have your husband become very familiar with the music handbook 
> of the church. It is very guarded as to what the choir may sing in 
> sacrament meetings. They would rather see us take the hymns and 
> arrange those beautifully than bring in the unfamiliar or production- 
> like or performance oriented type pieces. So if this is where your 
> husband is involving himself he is right-on. And he does not need 
> to be a music expert to do this contrary to what many musicians feel. 
> (you may find a bit of controversy here, but I think the spirit works 
> just fine) It is hard to come in and course correct in this area. I 
> have been there myself and music people in particular do not like it. 
> lol Good luck to your husband. This is the Lord's work and he 
> expects us to guard the experience that others have in the 
> stewardships which he has given us. Hope this helps a bit. 
> God Bless, 
> Kathryn 
> 
> PS your husband asked.... lol 
> 
> 
> On Jan 8, 2007, at 9:27 AM, jarvismal at comcast.net wrote: 
> 
> Wise and wonderful teachers, 
> 
> My sweetheart asked me to throw this question out to you, to see if 
> he could gain some insight. He is a member of a newly called 
> Bishopric (about 8 weeks old). He is the counselor over music. He 
> was meeting yesterday with the Ward Music Director. In the years 
> that this sister has held this position, she has never had a leader 
> change the music on her. As of this last week, this has happened a 
> number of times that the Bishop/Bishopric Member has asked that 
> another hymn be sung during Sacrament Meeting. This is shaking this 
> sisters faith (she is a convert, and Taiwanese, so there is a 
> language barrier here also) -- her comment to my sweetheart was, "If 
> I am receiving these hymns by inspiration, why isn't the Bishop 
> getting the same inspiration?" My sweetheart gave her the usual 
> "line leaders" response, but it didn't seem to satisfy this sister, 
> and has caused my sweetheart to wonder what kind of counsel he should 
> have given her. 
> 
> Any thoughts would be appreciated. 
> 
> -- 
> Sister Jarvis 
> Marysville Washington EMS 
> 20 Juniors (and 3 investigators) 
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