Interesting comment and essentially correct. But like so many other contrasts between my ward and evangelical churches nearby, do you do it out of duty and guilt, or out of love and devotion? If the later you don’t have to try and memorize the words to the songs, they stick in your head spontaneously for most of the week. Singing is contagious, it helps when others around you are enthused, but how to get the ball rolling is difficult. I look forward to singing protestant hymns, I dread the droning and moaning in my ward.

Get rid of the hymnal. (Ok ,keep it but don’t use it as a limiting device, but as a spring board)

More music, less blabbering. Encourage more instrumental and voice performance by youth and adults with the interest.

Borrow music from protestants, like we used to do. Here is a personal favorite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Stand when singing. I swear we should own the song: “I am bound for the promised land.” You can’t stand singing that and not feel it.

Guitars.* (associated with hippies and heroin in the minds of the WW2 generation.

But who am I? I’m just a mediocre musician who thinks a violin can be just as risky in sacrament meeting as a trumpet. I may have forgot to specify the best verses for “Kolob” on mother’s day, but I started a new tradition of singing the star spangled banner in sacrament meeting which lots of people avoid, so that makes up for it, right? ;)

Raised as a Protestant, UCC Congregationalist, my sister & I both sang in choir throughout our teenage years. The music was lovely, but it did not “move my soul” the way simple hymns sung by a ward choir do. My current stake maintains a music library at the stake center, for choir use, which is helpful, but not all the directors choose to use it, or the hymn book. They want something ” new and fresh”. Years ago, Elder Boyd K. Packer had a strong opinion about using the hymns. Over the years, I have come to see the wisdom in his point of view.

If you are honest and look at most Protestant and Catholic services, their music is far more moving and speaks more clearly to my soul. At least that is so true for me. Many people tell me our music is just fine, but that is not my experience. Sorry.

We could use our buildings that sit idle during most of the day as music schools and let private teachers raise up a generation of great musicians. The music minister usually has a position in a Protestant church akin to a counselor in the bishopric, so crucial is music to their services. Organizationally we could make changes that might drive improvement.

Preaching and singing.The basics to a good church service.

I remember the first time we had a baptist minister come in with a guitar on a night we weren’t working. There were a ton of songs that wren’t familiar to my tradition, but she knew how to play “How Great Thou Art”. Being able to connect with others who were trying in their own way to serve others and love God through song, especially when things sing impossibly hard, there’s something about that that transcends creed or dogma. I still sing “How Great Thou Art” in more of a soulful rhythm than a choral rhyme. My kids know that version now because they ask for it at bed sometimes, and I love that sung in solo it comes across as a psalm.

And When I think
Of God
His Son not sparing

Sent him to die
I scarce can take it in

That on the cross
My burden gladly bearing
He bled and died
to take away my sin

Then sings my soul
My Savior
God
To Thee

How Great Thou Art
How Great Thou Art

Then sing my soul
My Savior
God
To Thee

How Great Thou Art,

How Great
Thou Art