The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Be Still My Soul
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
The song "Be Still My Soul" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a touching and reassuring hymn encouraging us to remain calm and steadfast in our faith in God, even in the midst of difficulties and tribulations. The opening lines address the listener's soul directly, reminding it that the Lord is on its side and that it should patiently bear any burden or suffering it may encounter. The lyrics then remind us to trust in God's guidance and providence, as He has been faithful in the past and will continue to be so in every change we may face. Throughout our thorny and challenging journey, we are encouraged to turn to God as our heavenly friend who leads us to a joyful end.
Furthermore, the song reiterates that we should not let anything shake our hope and confidence in God, and even in the face of uncertainty and mystery, we should remain steadfast and unshaken. The final verse speaks of the ultimate reward of faith in God- a life of eternal bliss in the presence of the Lord, where all sorrow and pain will be forgotten, and love's purest joys will be restored. The hymn thus serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trust, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
Stay calm, my soul, for God is by your side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Endure your suffering with patience;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
Trust God to take care of your needs and make things right;
In every change he faithful will remain.
God remains faithful regardless of the circumstances;
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Be at peace, my soul, for your best and truest friend is in heaven;
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Your friend in heaven leads you through difficulties to a happy ending.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
Keep calm, my soul, for God has promised to take care of you;
To guide the future as he has the past.
God will guide you in the future as he has in the past;
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
Do not let anything shake your hope or confidence;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Everything that is currently unknown will become clear and bright in the end.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
Stay calm, my soul, for even the waves and winds obey God;
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
God, who once lived on Earth, still rules the waves and the winds.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hastening on
Be at peace, my soul, for the future is approaching fast;
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When we will be forever with God;
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
When disappointment, grief, and fear have disappeared;
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Sadness will be forgotten and love will be pure and joyful again.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
Stay calm, my soul, for when change and tears are behind us;
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
We will be blessed and meet safely in the end.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEAN SIBELIUS, K VON SCHLEGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elle X
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Carla Anderson
With such anger in my soul, I needed to hear this song today. I love the Lord so much but sometimes I'm not strong enough to put my anger in his hands.
Shirley Post
He knows your heart. Keep trying
David Glover
I trust the Lord. As I strive to do this He will give me the strength & the courage to overcome my anger & return to a calmness. He is a GOD of miracles.
NoNamePatriot
My husband recently died, and this song has gotten me through some very difficult times.
Jennifer Johnson
I’m so sorry for your loss - sending love.
Anne Donnellan
God bless and comfort you
Little Joe Lewis
This has got to be my most favored Mormon hymn. Thanks for sharing it with the masses across the Earth. Every one should really appreciate it. Bless your worship leadership.
Thokozani Sokhela
These songs sooth my soul. Whenever I am troubled I play the Mormon Tabernacle songs especially the title How firm a foundation. God bless the choir.
Erik Spencer
It changes the atmosphere and mood directly.
David Hubbert
This heavenly choir once again brings me to tears, and touch my very soul. Music has such a powerful force I love it.