In the Latter Day Saint movement, a hosanna shout is an organized ritual by a congregation of shouting hosanna. It was first performed as a ritual in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, and was a part of the Kirtland Endowment ceremony. It continues to be practiced by some Latter Day Saint denominations, most notably The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which practices the ritual at the dedication of each of its temples.
When the ordinance of the washing of feet was introduced at Kirtland, shouts of hosanna were viewed as a sealing benediction on both private and quorum prayer and then on the dedicatory prayer. At prayer meetings in the Kirtland Temple, the Saints sometimes used related phrases such as "Blessed is the name of the Most High God" and "Glory to God in the highest" (HC 2:386).
The Hosanna shout is intended to be whole-souled and given to the full limit of one's strength. The congregation stands and in unison shouts three times the words "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb," then concludes with "Amen, Amen, and Amen." This is done while waving of a white handkerchiefs with uplifted hands. The epithet "Lamb" relates to the condescension and Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Hosanna shout memorializes the pre-earthly Council in Heaven, as "when ... all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). It also recalls the hosannas and the waving of palm branches accorded Jesus as he entered Jerusalem, and the hosannas that welcomed him as he appeared to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. President of the LDS Church Lorenzo Snow taught that this shout will herald the Messiah when he comes in the glory of the Father (cf. 1 Thes. 4:16).
Famous quotes containing the words hosanna and/or shout:
“Glorious the northern lights astream;
Glorious the song, when God’s the theme
Glorious the thunder’s roar:
Glorious hosanna from the den;
Glorious the catholic amen;
Glorious the martyr’s gore:
Glorious—more glorious is the crown
Of him that brought salvation down
By meekness, called thy Son;
Thou that stupendous truth believed,
And now the matchless deed’s achieved,
Determined, Dared, and Done.”
—Christopher Smart (1722–1771)
“And what do I care if she marries another? every other night I dream of her dresses and things on an endless clothesline of bliss, in a ceaseless wind of possession, and her husband shall never learn what I do to the silks and fleece of the dancing witch. This is love’s supreme accomplishment. I am happy—yes, happy! What more can I do to prove it, how to proclaim that I am happy? Oh, to shout it so that all of you believe me at last, you cruel, smug people.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)