Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: May 31, 2020 01:38PM
The BYU Vocal Point choir performed (virtually) on a CNN memorial hour this morning honouring victims of COVID-19 (nearly 104,000 to date in the USA). They sang "Be Thou My Vision", a Christian hymn attributed to a 6th century Irish saint.
They sounded pretty good.
I admit to being surprised at their choice of hymn, it being a firm Christian favourite. Looking them up, I see they sing other well known Christian hymns, such as "Nearer, my God, to Thee" and "In Christ Alone".
I don't know anything about this choir - have never heard of them before today - and I don't want to bad mouth them just because they're Mormon. In fact, I must say, as above, they sounded like a good choir. (They were cut off before the end of their song, the show ending with their music).
But.
Be Thou My Vision is a decidedly Christian song. Looking them up, I see that many of their other song choices are also well known Christian favourites. Christian theology is evident in their music. I would wonder at any choir or singer that would perform a hymn that doesn't reflect their own beliefs.
Unless they think the songs do embrace their tenets? I know Mormon leaders say they are a Christian sect. But, as we know, their theological beliefs differ starkly from traditional Christianity. That is the reason that Christians don't consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion. We have often discussed here the reasons for that. I know it inflames even some exmos as it seems like a snub or an insult or a judgement as to someone else's beliefs or lack thereof. It's just that there are foundational principles in Christianity that, by definition, if you don't accept them you are not considered to be Christian. I know that can feel like judgement. I have felt judged myself due to not being able to embrace some teachings and it's not a pleasant experience.
But. I don't find it all that honest to sing these Christian songs in particular as to outsiders, in my estimation, it indicates beliefs that Mormons don't hold. That means to me that some misrepresentation is going on.
Unless Mormons think that it doesn't matter whether the theology of the music matches theirs or not?
Here are the words to Be Thou My Vision (that the choir sang on TV today):
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
---
Bearing in mind the drastic differences in how Mormons and Christians interpret the Bible with regard to Jesus Christ and God, Trinity etc, do the above sentiments reflect Mormon beliefs?
For another example, here are some of the words to the beloved Christian hymn "In Christ Alone" that this choir also performs:
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
...
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
-----
Do those words reflect any Mormon beliefs you've ever heard?
Again, I'm not intending to quibble about theology with my remarks here. Just saying that, although the choir sounded nice, don't the music choices give an incorrect impression of Mormonism?
That's what bugged me the most about being a convert. It felt like bait-and-switch. Yes, I should have done more homework before jumping into the font. But. Do the music choices, as sampled above, give a true picture of Mormon beliefs? Or do they present a different face to the non-mo public? If the latter, it's a mind-bending deceit.
But the choir sounds nice. So is that all that matters? Maybe I'm just weird for wanting or expecting accuracy. Even with their music.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2020 01:39PM by Nightingale.