Talk:The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning

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"The hymn was sung for the dedication of Kirtland Temple, 27 March 1836 along with a special arrangement including a hymn known as the Hosanna Anthem. The song continues to be sung throughout the various Latter Day Saint traditions, including Latter-day Saint sacrament meetings, and is sung with the Hosanna Anthem for the dedication of all temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "

It was sources such as http://mldb.byu.edu/phelps3.htm that gave me the impression that "Hosanna Anthem" was nothing more than another name for "The Spirit of God". Does "Hosanna Anthem" refer to a special musical arrangement of "The Spirit of God" or is it a different hymn entirely? The passage quoted above implies that two separate hymns, "The Spirit of God" and "Hosanna Anthem," were sung at the Kirtland Temple Dedication. I changed this passage because the Messenger and Advocate report makes no reference to the Hosanna Anthem at the Dedication (See Wikisource - Kirtland Temple Dedication). I do, however, happily await further clarification. --Dbolton 06:28, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I've never heard the Hosanna Anthem sung without the Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning as the latter is part of the first, not the other way around. The Anthem was sung (if I remember correctly) at the dedication of the Conference Center, and is nearly alway sung before the Hosanna Shout is given. You can listen to portions of the song in the movie "Mountain of the Lord" during the capstone dedication ceremony, as the conductor turns to the audience and they begin to sing "The Spirit of God."
I'll need to find the words and will see what I can do to find them, however the Hosanna Anthem itself is not a special arrangement of the Spirit of God, rather the two songs are sung together when the anthem is sung. The congregation typically does not sing the Hosanna Anthem, but rather the Choir does, and the congregation joins in with what is supposed to be a "spontaneous" singing of The Spirit of God. For some it is natural and spontaneous, as they have previously experienced, but the presiding authorigy typically teaches and directs the congregation prior to the singing so those who do not know will join in - similar to the teaching of the Hosanna Shout.
According to Boyd K Packer, speaking about the re-dedication of the St. George Temple: "The audience, on the signal from the conductor, joins with the choir on that part of the anthem known widely through the Church as "The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning." I sat through those se"=ssions and carefully observed, with great sorrow, that fully 80 percent of those in the audience did not know the words...."
It has also been sung at a number of General Conferences - from April 1967 CR, p.110: "The Tabernacle Choir will now sing "Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love." Following this we shall have an organ interlude, and then the Choir will sing the "Hosanna Anthem," with the congregation joining in singing, "The Spirit of God Like A Fire Is Burning." -Visorstuff 19:12, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)