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ANNVER - Why is it that the LDS Church teaches you can only hear and feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost through peace and
reverence hence the formal Services and hymns sung on Sunday services but other Church's believe they can still feel the Holy Ghost through
expressing of music talents with Loud instruments and vocals, but in LDS Church they still have loud Music and dances for both Youth and
Adults, isn't that contradictory for LDS?
JOEL - This is probably more of a cultural thing depending on which religion you belong to, but some churches equate exciting
emotional activity with spirituality. There is of course a degree of emotionalism with any spiritual experience,
but some almost completely replace spirituality with emotional feelings as they clap and dance and sing during their worship service. And the
louder and more excited and emotional they get, the more spiritual and closer to God they think they are.
I recall a scene from the movie Footloose where the preacher's daughter tells her father:
"I used to get such a kick watching you work up your sermons."
Preacher - And now?
Daughter- It's different. I see the stage. I see costumes. It's show business, isn't it?
Preacher - Well... it's the only way I know to reach people's emotions.
What we should be doing at church is reaching people's spirits; not just their emotions
Worshiping should not need such activity and loud music to bring us close to God. It might bring about an enjoyable emotional feeling, but
not necessarily the spirit. On the other hand the right kind of music and instruments can be an expression of our worshiping to God and
invite the proper spirit in to our hearts. But ultimately it is not the responsibility of the music or speakers to make us feel the spirit. It is what's
already inside us that get's us close to God. If a person does need all that outside influence they don't really know how to worship properly.
There is a time and place to worship and experience the still small voice of the Holy Ghost witnessing to us (D&C 86: 6, 1 Nephi 17: 45). How can one hear that still small voice with dancing and loud music playing?
On the other hand the quiet reverent environment during our Sacrament meetings or Temple attendance are the perfect environments where we can hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
There is also a time and a place to have some good wholesome fun and fellowship; such as youth dances or ward parties.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;" (Eccl 3: 1-5)
"If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. (D&C 136: 28)
This is not being contradictory, it is simply different things happening at different times.
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