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.
Still Still Still
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Bluewater Music Corp., Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jean Sibelius, Katharine Von Schlegel, Paul Mickelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bertramfuscher
I think that no matter your denomination good uplifting music especially at the sacred days of the Christian Calendar.
I lost my beloved almost seven years ago after 51 years o marriage but being a believer in Christ our Savior I firmly believe she is in haven with God.
Now at 82 I'm still doing what we did every year together from September to the octave of Christmas..
Listen to every Christmas Carol old and new..
Our favourite .
Bing Crosby .
I heard the bells.
The words where ever there's strife in the world ring true.
Then peal the bells more loud and deep.
God is not not dead nor does he sleep
The right prevail the wrong shall fail
God bless everyone especially at Christmas time.
@a-aron5508
My grandfather passed away Christmas night. He had health problems and was on hospice for about a month prior to his passing. He was old and lived a wonderful life. I have a wonderful memory that I hold dear to my heart of that night that I'd like to share. My family and my parents went to visit grandpa Christmas day at his assisted living house. After which we went back to my parents until around 10pm. As we were leaving my dad was getting his shoes and coat on. I asked "where are you going?" He said to see Dad. I said but dad we already saw him why go now? He looked at me and said I just feel like I should go. Well in turn that made me want to go to being that Christmas is also my dads birthday. So my wife went home and my dad and I went back to see grandpa. As we were there I told my dad to take a rest on the couch and that I would sit with grandpa while my dad took a nap. So he did and I sat with grandpa and sponged his mouth being that his mouth was very dry. We listed to this song along with other Christmas music for a few hours. Then he started to take his last few breaths I got my dad as we watched my grandfather pass away and return home. My dad and I sat waiting for them to come pick my grandfather up. We talked about grandpa and how much he meant to us. My grandfather believed with his whole being in Jesus Christ and God our Heavenly Father. I'm not like my grandfather or my dad they both are amazing Christ-like men and theirs me making many mistakes along the way. But I have something in common with them I believe with my whole being that Jesus is the redeemer of the world and God is our Eternal Father who loves all of us equally. I pray for all those who have lost someone during these difficult times. Or If someone you love is at the hospital now and your unable to see them. Prayer works and I believe in angels. Pray for angels to attend to your family members. God knows them and Christ suffered all things and knows how to help you and your loved ones. God bless you keep your faith and we will be with and see our loved ones again in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
@zaram131
Thank you your story brought tears to my eyes. I am struggling through deep disappointments and have lost my way. This song is beautiful and soothing.
@cristinarodrigues6767
Thanks... i cried a lot listening... my Dad died 1 year ago....He loved christmas time....Tks for the good words here ❤️🙌❤️
@allenjones3130
I lost my mother at Christmas time to cancer, so I know what you went through. God bless you, and Merry Christmas.
@edrandall5474
So beautiful 💖🌹🙏One day our heavenly father will show us what unconditional love truly means 💖💖🌹🙏Reunited in his arms God bless you💖🙏🌹
@maryanndavis8580
Such a beautiful story. I'm so grateful for my Savior, for His perfect life, for his eternal and supernal Atonement. Thank you for sharing this powerful and sweet story.
@DannosStuff
It come with ehh wo
@stevencooke742
So this is what heaven sounds like.
@patrickriccio4004
The most beautiful song I've ever heard in my life. It literally moves me to tears.
@edrandall5474
It is divine 💖🙏A true gift from our beautul heavenly father. 💖🙏🌹