Editor’s note: “The Spoken Word” is shared by Derrick Porter every Sunday during the weekly Tabernacle Choir broadcast from Temple Square. Broadcast on Sunday, May 24, 2026. This week is the 5,045th broadcast. Please note that starting Sunday, May 17th, reservations are required to attend “Music and the Spoken Word” at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Click here for more information on how to make a reservation.
For nearly a century, the weekly “Music & the Spoken Word” began with five words sung by the Tabernacle Choir. These five words serve as a prelude to our weekly program as the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra of Temple Square prepares to offer its talent, heart and faith to the world.
The words are “Gently grow the sacred stock.” The poem, although not sung by a choir, continues as follows:
That person might take a break…
and thank God
May His blessings be upon you.
(“Gently Raise the Divine Strain,” Hymns, no. 146)
As I listened week after week to the words, “Gently raise your sacred tension,” I came to understand both its literal and symbolic meaning more and more.
Of course, musically speaking, a strain is a short melody or musical phrase. But the word “strain” can also mean pressure, burden, or something unbearable.
So each week, as these words are sung, I have felt that not only are the choirs and orchestras striving to gently offer a sacred melody to heaven, but that the music is also a call for each of us to quietly lift up our burdens and tensions to the heavens and let God help us, lift us up, and strengthen us.
We all carry some kind of strain, or strains. Some are plagued by illness, loneliness, and despair. Some people are worried about loved ones who are at the crossroads of important decisions. Additionally, some people feel the burden of anxiety and depression.
No matter how burdened we are, when we faithfully carry our burdens to God and ask for His help, we can feel His strength and find rest. As the psalmist said, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (see Psalm 55:22).
In the United States, Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country. We honor these brave men with quiet gratitude, recognizing in their sacrifices a different kind of sacred burden carried for the blessing of others.
The songs we sing to heaven, whether we sing praises out loud or silently in our hearts, are sacred to God. he knows us He supports us. And God loves us. In Him we find rest.
Tuning…
“Music & the Spoken Word” broadcasts are available on KSL-TV, KSL News Radio 1160AM/102.7FM, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish and DirecTV, SiriusXM (Ch. 143), tabernaclechoir.org, youtube.com/TheTabernacleChoir, and Amazon Alexa (skills must be enabled). The program will be broadcast live on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on these stations. Find airing information by state and city at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedule.
