The late Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 until his death in 1985, exhorted, ‘Music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. After men receive the truth, songs of praise to Deity help to sanctify and cleanse their souls” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (1966), 521).
While serving a full-time, two-year mission for the Church in the Kentucky Louisville Mission, Jason Lyle Black and his companion were able to witness firsthand what Elder McConkie was speaking of. Responding to a telephone call from another missionary in their district to be guest pastors at a local Protestant church, Jason used the hymn “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” to help them share the message of the restored gospel with the congregation.
When Jason and his companion contacted the church, they were told that they were welcome to come be guest pastors, but that they should understand that the congregation did not “believe in the same Jesus as your people.” They rode their bikes to the church and sat in the back of the chapel. When the congregation’s pastor introduced the two young Mormon missionaries, he did so by delivering a fiery anti-Mormon sermon. Recalling the experience, Jason stated, “It was so bad that he finished with, ‘If you still want to, why don’t you come on down and tell us about your church?'” He also recalls that the congregation laughed as they made their way to the pulpit.
Jason’s companion introduced them. Afterwards, Jason, who is an accomplished pianist, asked the pastor’s permission to play the piano for the congregation. When the pastor agreed to let him do so, he recounts that he “busted out the best version I have ever played of the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ in a full jazz version.”
The congregation responded favorably, and within seconds, a kid came up front and started playing the tambourine. A few seconds later, he was joined by another kid from the congregation who also started playing. They were soon followed by the pastor who went to the organ, and playing by ear, started playing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” along with Elder Black. When the song was over, Elder Black went to the podium and recalls that as he looked out over the congregation, those who had mocked him and his companion, were now smiling. Perhaps David O. McKay, the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressed it best when he said, “Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls” (President David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1945, 119).
Jason further recalls:
It was incredible. It was a 180-degree shift in that congregation from laughing at us and mocking us. . . to as I proceeded to talk about the Book of Mormon and Christ coming to America and believing in prophets today, I’m just seeing these nods and smiles from everyone in the congregation. It was amazing.
It was the most memorable experience of my mission. To see how music, how that gift, could change hearts. That’s continued to drive some of my goals today.
Jason Lyle Black who is professionally known as “The Backwards Piano Man” ® is a music composer, performer, YouTube sensation, educator, and entrepreneur.
