If you haven’t seen it yet, Margaret Barker has posted her intriguing overview of Temple Music, presented at the recent Temple Studies Group symposium online at the T&T Clark blog.
While I tried my best to take careful notes (see here) of her presentation, I highly recommend reading the original, as there are naturally many details that I was unable to catch – Dr. Barker is a master of covering an incredible amount of material in little space.
You can find the full text of her discourse at the following link:
http://tandtclark.typepad.com/ttc/2009/06/margaret-barker-on-temple-music.html#more
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“When the biblical writers said that the angels praise the Creator, they were saying that all the powers of creation work together in harmony; and so when people on earth sing with the angels, they are joining in the praise of the Creator and so sustaining the creation.”MB
A few years ago I was privileged to go to Switzerland on a business trip with my husband. One evening a dinner meeting was held and a group of Yodelers were hired as roving entertainment. Never in my life have I heard the sound of harmony so beautifully blended in their clear voices. In contrast, many who attended the dinner were so involved in their loud conversations they did not even notice the clarion beauty of the singing. I actually left my table and followed them as they moved throughout the hall. I remember the feeling of holiness I felt from the music they preformed.
Thank you for posting the link to Margaret Barkers article, reading it gave me new insight into the important task Emma was given in Section 25.
Doctrine and Covenants 25:11 And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.
12 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.
Perhaps her role was that similar to the Levitical priests preparing the way in song for the High Priest to enter into the Holy Place.
There is definitely something recognizably heavenly about harmonious music. I agree with you that this really illuminates the importance of the task given to Emma to collect the best hymns for the Church. Thanks for sharing that great insight!