Hymns

It seems like for some reason lately I've had several conversations with people revolving around the hymnbook of the church. It's always interesting to try and speculate why a hymn was added or omitted from the 1985 edition. I know this topic may be boring to some, but it was something that I really wondered about. I am one who likes to stick to the rules, sing only hymns in sacrament meeting...you know, that kind of thing. So to think that if a song wasn't included in the 1985 edition, there may have been something "not quite doctrinal" about it drove me crazy. Especially if there were ones that I loved.
So here is my "something new" that I discovered today.
LDS Radio - Conversation with Michael Moody,who served as the Chairman of the Church Music Committee for 25 years.
I know it is kind of long, but it is a very good "conversation". Really brings insight into the hymns of the church and tells some really cool stories.
Enjoy!

Christian Nation

So I've been studying some different things (ask me if you want to know on what) and went off on a little side tangent. I thought this was so cool I had to share. I know I haven't been on my blog on a very long time...but this "something new" that I learned was too good not to share.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY V. UNITED STATES, 143 U. S. 457 (1892)

Besides all the law rhetoric (which I tend to skim over) there were some awesome references. I'll give you the paragraph where it starts into these references...

"We find, therefore, that the title of the act, the evil which was intended to be remedied, the circumstances surrounding the appeal to Congress, the reports of the committee of each house, all concur in affirming that the intent of Congress was simply to stay the influx of this cheap unskilled labor.
But, beyond all these matters, no purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation."

If I were to put all of it on here, it would make for a very long post. So if you are interested, click on the link and read it for yourself. I found it to be very insightful.
Enjoy!