Latter-day Saint ‘Signing Missionaries’ Light Up Social Media
Janene NielsenFeatured Photo: Missionaries Smith Tenney, left, and Alex Harmon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Two Latter-day Saint missionaries serving in the Fort Worth Texas Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lit up social media with a captivating Facebook video featuring them “singing and signing” to the Jordan James hit song “Merciful.” (View HERE.)
Using American Sign Language, lip-syncing at times, and playing “air” instruments, Elders Alex Harmon and Smith Tenney convey the joy they find in their faith in God, reaching over 100,000 people (and counting) per the Facebook page administrator Cris Baird.
“Facebook’s reporting tools tell me that, as of today, the video has reached more than 102,000 people, and more than 12,400 people have engaged with it in some way, such as liking, commenting, or sharing. I was very pleased to see that the video reached more than 75,000 people in the first three days it was posted. We’ve never seen such a rapid and enthusiastic response to content posted on our missionary-run Facebook pages,” said Baird.
Remarkably, this video has touched both the hearing and Deaf due in no small measure to the pure enthusiasm and joie de vivre of these two young men.
“I think the Facebook post has touched so many because people feel the love of God burn within them,” said Elder Harmon, 19, who is serving an American Sign Language mission. “I don’t think they fully recognize it, but when they hear the inspired words [of “Merciful”] and see the smiles on my and Elder Tenney’s faces, the Holy Spirit can testify to them of truth and prompt them to action. People everywhere want that increase of happiness that we possess.”
Elder Smith Tenney, 19, agrees, “With the [COVID-19 pandemic], everyone is on their phones a lot more, and even if they don’t know it, they’re looking for joy. Then, when they come across our video and see the joy we have, it almost becomes contagious.”
Recorded in 2018 by Jordan James and written in collaboration with Nik Day, Youth Music Producer for the Church of Jesus Christ, “Merciful” was included on the album If We Love Him and performed live by James at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, in January 2019.
While Jordan James does not list ASL among his many accomplishments, he is pleased that “Merciful” is touching so many lives.
“I love it because even though Deaf people can’t hear the music, they feel it. That’s what music is— a feeling with words,” said James, 20, who coincidentally is also serving a mission for the Church as Elder Jordan Pinkston, Jordan James being his stage name. He is using his considerable talent on a music service mission, working virtually with Nik Day due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
“Helping others is one thing I feel like I was sent here to do,” said Elder Pinkston. “And the Lord has directed my life in order for me to do that now [through music].”
“There is no end to the power music has to affect people,” said Harmon. “It can soften hearts, bring the Spirit, and provide an atmosphere in which we can receive revelation. The Spirit’s purpose is to testify of truth. When truth is sung, miracles can happen,” said Elder Harmon.
The Spirit’s purpose is to testify of truth. When truth is sung, miracles can happen.
Alex Harmon
While Elder Harmon only knows Jordan James through his music, he is impressed with [James’s] talent. “He is a skilled musician and has an amazing voice. I have a lot of respect for people with talent like his,” said Harmon, whose opinion is informed by his own substantial musical abilities.
“My whole family is pretty musical; All of us play an instrument or two, and we all sing as well. As soon as I could, I was playing tenor saxophone in my 6th-grade band. After that, I picked up drums, guitar, bass, didgeridoo, anything I can get my hands on! I teach myself everything I can, and right now, I’m working on kalimba, piano, and soon the bagpipes. The bagpipes sometimes come as a shock to people, but my dad has been playing the bagpipes for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always wanted to be able to play them like he can. I’ve been in several rock bands, as vocalist, drummer, or both, and hopefully will continue to do so after my mission as well!”
Using this skill to help spread the Gospel is part of Elder Harmon’s game plan.
“I [use music] to spread the Gospel,” said Harmon. “Though I’m not amazing, I love to play the guitar. I love hymns on the guitar. I enjoy posting videos of me playing and singing and will continue to post videos of me and my companions signing songs to music. Even if it’s only a single life that I’m able to affect, it’s worth it to me.”
The grace and beauty of ASL is a large part of the fascination this video holds for many. Elder Harmon, who teaches sign language classes as part of his mission, encourages everyone to learn sign language.
“It may seem like a daunting task, but you will never regret it,” said Elder Harmon. “There are absolutely zero downsides to learning ASL. Make it a goal in your family! You’ll have the capacity to communicate through windows, underwater, across rooms, anywhere! There is no situation that is too quiet or too loud for ASL. It will change your life.”
Elder Tenney believes that ASL accounts for a large part of the interest. “For Deaf people, the way we express ourselves [in the video] is normal, but it’s something most hearing people have never seen before.”
It’s hard to say whether the success of this video is due more to ASL, the great music, or the missionaries’ enthusiasm, but one thing is for sure: if you need a smile and to feel the Holy Spirit, click on the Facebook link and see for yourself:
“I think [people] are going through difficult times right now,” said Elder Harmon. “It’s easy to fall away, to be complacent, and to lose our connection to and our faith in God. Everyone needs a smile and a reminder of our loving Heavenly Father.”
