Soundsmith Music

I was asked to speak at our Stake Conference a few months ago regarding music.  The experience really help me to grow and learn.  I include my thoughts and remarks here in hopes that some of the ideas and quotes might help others studying this topic.

In the 130th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, we learn that “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”[1] A look at recent news headlines quickly exposes the dangerous and wicked word in which we live. To find our way through this maze of men’s philosophies mingled with the cunning lies of the evil one, we surely need to obtain all the blessings we can get!

To help us in the journey and battles that surely lie ahead, our Heavenly Father offers many gifts and blessings: scriptures, prophets, churches, temples, and the guidance of the spirit, all spring to mind. But, are there gifts we are not fully taking advantage of?  Are there blessings the Lord would give us, if only we would be obedient to the law upon which they are predicated?

In the 25th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord teaches that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me and it shall be answered with a blessing upon [your] heads.”[2] The First Presidency declares, “Music is an essential part of our church meetings.”[3] Music invites reverence, increases our faith, inclines us to repentance, inspires good works, and induces comfort and solace for those that mourn. “Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion.” And, “hymns … help us withstand the temptations of the adversary.”

Music, good and worthy music, like prayer, is a power for peace and protection. And thus we are commanded, as Latter-day Saints, to “fill [our] homes with the sound of worthy music.”[4]

The great philosopher, Aristotle, surmised that the motion and constancy of the universe was governed by a kind of celestial music; where each planet and star worked in harmony to create the music of the spheres.[5] Very nearly did he echo the words of the Lord to Job, that when the earth was created, and its foundations laid, the “morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”[6] When ancient poets, philosophers and prophets sought to describe the almost indescribable glory and splendor of creation, they called it music.

And there is something magical about music, something that seems to be in and through all of creation, something that transcends the limits of language and speaks directly to the soul. George Szell, tenured conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, put it this way: “In music one must think with the heart and feel with the brain.”[7]

Dozens of studies conducted by scientists, musicologists and music therapists, suggest this may be literally, as well as figuratively, true.  They find ample evidence music helps children improve their grades, their thinking and their character.  They have demonstrated that music exposure enhances brain functions including language skills, mathematics, memory, pattern recognition, prediction, problem solving, and (are you listening, parents?) music even improves a child’s ability to pay attention.[8]

In a 1973 Priesthood Bulletin, the First Presidency counseled, “Through music, man’s ability to express himself extends beyond the limits of the spoken language in both subtlety and power … It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.”

The ancient Israelites understood the power of music.  Consider the account of Solomon and the temple dedication in 2 Chronicles chapter 5:

2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem…
12 Also the Levites which were the singers …
13 It came even to pass, … when they lifted up their voice … and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; …
14 … for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

In modern temple dedications, we stand with the ancient Israelites as we sing and hear Brother William W. Phelps’ inspired hymn, The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning.

Later, in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, Jehoshophat prepared the children of Israel for battle with these words:

20 … Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And … he appointed singers unto the Lord … that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army…
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against [their enemies] … and they were smitten.

If the Lord uses music to strengthen the faith of his children and to invite inspiration in his house, how much more should we use music in our houses as a power for peace and protection! Miracles have not ceased, neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.  Music, its power, and its blessings, are just as real and accessible today as they were to the children of ancient Israel.

Again, the First Presidency declares, “Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action.  They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.”[9] Elder Boyd K. Packer counsels us to use righteous music as a shield against the adversary’s fiery darts.  Said he, “Because [the music] is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will disappear.  For while virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of light.”[10]

It works.

Recently, our youngest son prepared a family home evening lesson about the creation. He put together a few thoughts he had learned from primary, chose a scripture or two on the subject, and found a picture that represented the creation.  As he colored the picture and thought about his lesson, he began to joyfully sing his own song:  “He ca-rat-ed the earth, He ca-rat-ed the skies, He ca-ra-ted the animals…”

There were many, many more verses that I won’t share with you now. His mother and I were pleased to see Max instinctively use music to reinforce what he was learning, to strengthen his testimony and as a natural expression of joy and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.

One late Sunday evening, we were driving home from a long trip. Getting a tired, I turned on the radio and tried to find something to keep me awake.  As I started scanning through the channels, my children said, “Dad this music isn’t good to listen to on a Sunday.”

I turned the radio off, still sleepy in the silence. My daughter started singing How Firm a Foundation; her brothers and sister soon joined her.  They finished that hymn and chose another.  They followed that with several primary songs.  As they sang, sleep fled from my eyes. More importantly, the Spirit filled our little car. We were strengthened, protected, and uplifted, as we kept the Sabbath day holy and safely returned to our home.

I know that there are many who feel that they “aren’t musical;” because they believe they “don’t have a voice,” they are afraid to sing.  Don’t be afraid.  We are commanded to sing, to use righteous music in our homes and families, And the Lord gives no commandment unto the children of men save he prepares a way for them to accomplish the thing which he has commanded.[11]

The First Presidency is clear in their direction:  “Teach your children to love the hymns.  Sing them on the Sabbath, in home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time.   Sing as you work, as you play, and as you travel together.   Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones.”[12]

Hear the words of another powerful hymn:

There is music in my soul today
A carol to my King,
And Jesus, listening can hear,
The songs I cannot sing.[13]

You do not need special talents or abilities to participate.  You were born with the ability to use music to connect with your Heavenly Father.  And, with practice, you will get better!

Remember Elder Yoon Hwan Choi’s experience as a bishop to young men, who started out as a gang of hoodlums.  He prayed for guidance and an answer to his prayer arrived in the form of a full-time missionary who befriended the boys and taught them to sing.  The boys responded to the music.

Elder Choi said “They sang together every time they came to our home.  Their loud sound hurt our ears.  But we always praised them because listening to them sing was far more enjoyable than seeing them get into trouble.”

Elder Choi notes that, over time, a miracle happened.  “Nine loud boys [became] 45 active members in the Lord’s kingdom, including their wives and children… They are now leaders in their wards and stakes.  As a group, they still sing together, and the other miracle—they actually sound good!”[14]

The scriptures don’t specify, but I can easily imagine young Nephite mothers singing hymns to their little children. I can imagine their loud boys growing in faith and testimony with these songs ringing in their ears and hearts.  I can clearly see the day when these young stripling warriors came to stand with Helaman against an army in full confidence before the Lord because “their mothers had taught them” and they did “not doubt that their mothers knew it.”[15]

Music is so powerful because it can bring us closer to the Savior.  If you watched the last session of general conference, you saw Elder Jeffrey R. Holland moved to tears by the choir’s performance of O Divine Redeemer.  For a moment, he was afraid he might not be able to speak.  Anything that can put Elder Holland at a loss for words must be very powerful indeed.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches us that the brethren use music regularly in their meetings.  Even in a small Quorum of Twelve or meetings with just the First Presidency, prophets and apostles sing hymns to strengthen their hearts and invite the spirit.[16] This image becomes especially poignant when you think of the Prophet Joseph Smith asking Elder John Taylor to sing A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief to provide strength and comfort in his darkest hour.[17]

Similarly, our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, as he prepared to endure the agony of the atonement, and face angry mobs and false accusers, and fulfill the great act of bringing salvation and redemption to all, turned to his brethren for one last evening of counsel and comfort, and finally, as Matthew tells us, “when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”[18]

Whether we face temptations, heartache, sorrow, disappointment, angry mobs, or advancing armies, the echoing sound of worthy music can help each of us withstand the evil day.  And when we have faithfully done all that we can, the Savior, through the grace and power of his merciful atonement, will encircle us in the arms of his love and admit us into his kingdom.

At that great and glorious day, said Isaiah, “The mountains shall break forth into singing.”[19] Joseph Smith prophesied, “We shall lift up our voice, and with a voice together shall we sing.”[20] With Alma, we who “have felt to sing the song of redeeming love”[21] can join Mormon in “[singing] ceaseless praises with the choirs above.”[22]

That we may be faithful to all of God’s commandments and more fully sing the song of the righteous that the Lord may answer with a blessing upon our heads is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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[1] D&C 130:21

[2] D&C 25:12

[3] First Presidency Preface, HYMNS, 1985, ix

[4] First Presidency Preface, x

[5] Aristotle, Metaphysics, Book I, Part 5, trans. W.D. Ross

[6] Job 38:7

[7] Donal Henehan, “George Szell, Conductor, Is Dead”, The New York Times, July 31, 1970

[8] See research and links from Music, Rhythm, and the Brain, Stanford Symposium: Music and the Brain 2007, http://www.stanford.edu/group/brainwaves/2007/research.html

[9] First Presidency Preface, x

[10] Boyd K. Packer, “Inspiring Music—Worthy Thoughts,” Ensign, Jan 1974, 25

[11] 1 Nephi 3:7

[12] First Presidency Preface, x

[13] Eliza E. Hewitt, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today, HYMNS, 1985, No. 227

[14] Yoon Hwan Choi, “I Love Loud Boys,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 53–55

[15] Alma 56:45-48

[16] Dallin H. Oaks, “Worship through Music,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 9

[17] John Taylor, quoted in History of the Church, 7:101

[18] Matthew 26:30

[19] Isaiah 55:12

[20] D&C 84:98

[21] Alma 5:26

[22] Mormon 7:7