Songs Sung and Unsung
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does Elder Holland mean by the "songs [we] cannot sing"?
- How can we find strength and hope during difficult times?
- Why is diversity important in God's choir?
- What are some of the societal issues Elder Holland addresses?
- How can we prepare to sing "the song of redeeming love"?
Topics
Finding Strength in Difficult Times
Elder Holland acknowledges that everyone faces difficult days when faith and fortitude are tested. He encourages members to hold on to hope and draw strength from others, especially from the Savior, who can hear the songs we cannot sing.
“If for a time you are unable to echo the joyous melodies you hear coming from others, I ask you to hold tenaciously to the line in this hymn that reassures, ‘Jesus listening can hear the songs [you] cannot sing.’”
“We embrace the Apostle Paul’s counsel and ‘hope for that [which] we see not … [and] with patience wait for it.’”
- What does it mean that "Jesus listening can hear the songs [you] cannot sing"?
- How can we apply Paul's counsel to "hope for that [which] we see not" in our lives?
- When have you felt that Jesus heard the songs you could not sing?
- How can you draw strength from others during your difficult times?
Embracing Diversity in God's Choir
Elder Holland highlights the importance of diversity within the Church, comparing it to a choir that needs different voices to create rich music. He urges members to value their unique contributions and avoid conforming to unrealistic stereotypes.
“It is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same.”
“Believe in yourself, and believe in Him. Don’t demean your worth or denigrate your contribution.”
- Why is diversity important in God's choir?
- How can we avoid conforming to unrealistic stereotypes?
- What unique contributions do you bring to God's choir?
- How can you better appreciate the diversity in your ward or branch?
Addressing Societal Issues
Elder Holland speaks about the need to address economic inequality, mental and emotional illness, and racial and ethnic conflicts. He emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the solution to these complex issues.
“Economic deprivation is a curse that keeps on cursing, year after year and generation after generation.”
“The only way complex societal issues can ever be satisfactorily resolved is by loving God and keeping His commandments.”
- What are some of the societal issues Elder Holland addresses?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ provide solutions to these issues?
- What can you do to help alleviate economic inequality in your community?
- How can you show compassion to those suffering from mental and emotional illness?
Experiencing Sacred and Ineffable Moments
Elder Holland describes moments that are so sacred and personal that they cannot be expressed in words. He compares these to the prayer Jesus offered for the Nephite children, which was too marvelous to be written or spoken.
“These kinds of sanctified moments remain unuttered because expression, even if it were possible, might seem like desecration.”
“No tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak.”
- What are some examples of sacred and ineffable moments?
- Why might expressing these moments seem like desecration?
- Have you ever experienced a moment that was too sacred to express?
- How can you cherish and remember these sacred moments in your life?
Staying Faithful in the Choir of Life
Elder Holland encourages members to stay faithful and remain in the choir of life, despite the challenges they face. He assures that there is a place for everyone in God's choir and emphasizes the importance of love and obedience to God's commandments.
“I plead with each one of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir.”
“There is room for those who speak different languages, celebrate diverse cultures, and live in a host of locations.”
- Why is it important to stay faithful in the choir of life?
- How does love and obedience to God's commandments contribute to the harmony of God's choir?
- What challenges have you faced that made it difficult to stay faithful?
- How can you help others feel included in God's choir?
