President Dallin H. Oaks on the power of sacred music in our lives

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. I wonder if we are making enough use of this heaven-sent resource in our meetings, in our classes, and in our homes....

"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel....

"The scriptures contain many affirmations that hymn singing is a glorious way to worship....

"When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times, the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn. Elder Russell M. Nelson plays the organ accompaniment. The First Presidency, who conduct these meetings, rotate the privilege of selecting the opening song. Most of us record the date each hymn is sung. According to my records, the opening song most frequently sung during the decade of my participation has been 'I Need Thee Every Hour' (Hymns, 1985, no. 98). Picture the spiritual impact of a handful of the Lord’s servants singing that song before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities.

"The veil is very thin in the temples, especially when we join in worshipping through music....

"Sacred music has a unique capacity to communicate our feelings of love for the Lord. This kind of communication is a wonderful aid to our worship. Many have difficulty expressing worshipful feelings in words, but all can join in communicating such feelings through the inspired words of our hymns."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Worship through Music," General Conference October 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We have a heaven-sent resource to help and bless us, that we may not be making enough use of in many settings. We should sing the hymns of the gospel, in order to learn doctrine, worship God, and invite the presence of the Spirit into our meetings and into our lives:

Elder Oaks reminds us of the power available to us through sacred music, and invites us to take more advantage of this blessing in our lives. Surely we can find more opportunities when our worship of God can be expressed as we invite His Spirit into our lives!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President J. Reuben Clark Jr. on the power of music to bring us to God

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

“We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.”
- J. Reuben Clark Jr., Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111

Today's quote is short and sweet, but packed with meaning and invitation. President Clark's insight about the power and influence music can have on our souls is important to ponder. And his comment and comparison are particularly appropriate, given the Lord's description: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D&C 25:12)

In my mind, this simple statement then challenges me to ponder two questions:

• Given that Satan always counterfeits the Lord's most powerful tools, am I being careful to select the right kind of music that will truly help bring me nearer to the Lord?
• And am I actively using the power of beautiful music as a tool for good in my life as I strive to be close to Him?

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Harold B. Lee on worship through music

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"Someone [has] said, 'Music is the language of the soul.' I remembered what the Lord said in a revelation to Emma Smith, the wife of the Prophet, 'For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads' (D&C 25:12).... There is truly no finer companion to true religion than great music.

"At the same time music can be prostituted to Satan’s purposes. Napoleon is quoted as having said, 'Music of all the liberal arts has the greatest influence over the passions and is that which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.' May I paraphrase and say, 'Music in the Church of Jesus Christ is that to which every leader of youth should give his greatest concern to see that the wrong kinds of passions are not aroused by our introduction of sensuous music into our youth programs.'

"Your test of greatness, whether you be youth or whether you be adult, is not to be measured by the question about your wealth, how much you are worth financially speaking, or how much knowledge you have gained in the world, or what great talents you have, but your measure of greatness or just mediocrity, or less than that, may be measured by your answer to one simple question, 'What do you like?' Do you like pornographic pictures rather than pictures of great art? Do you like to go to vulgar shows rather than The Sound of Music? Do you love the sensuous music rather than to hear great symphonies or the work of the masters? You answer to yourselves and then see what your youth like and you will have the answer to their souls, for music indeed is the language of the soul, whether it be uplifting or otherwise. It is the index to where we are today."

- Harold B. Lee, MIA Conference, 25 June 1972; see The Teachings of Harold B Lee [Bookcraft 1996], p. 203

This is a profound statement: "There is truly no finer companion to true religion than great music." It's interesting to ponder the place of music in our public and personal worship. The public role is perhaps more obvious, as we see the use of music to edify and inspire in Sunday meetings and other similar settings. But how do we use music's ability in our personal worship?

President Lee warns that music can not only be used as a very positive influence, but also can be turned negative, and like so many other good things, "prostituted to Satan’s purposes." That is where we are encouraged to be observant and vigilant.

President Lee suggests a simple test of our progress towards refinement and "greatness" in one sense:

The people at the time of King Benjamin commented on a change that took place in their lives by observing that they had "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). Their hearts had progressed to the point of desiring only righteous things. I think that is what President Lee is suggesting here. Whether the measure be the kind of entertainment we prefer, the music we listen to, the things we read, what we do for leisure and entertainment—so much can be learned about our inner heart by considering what brings us joy! When the things that bring joy also bring us closer to God, we know we are progressing on the path of discipleship.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

Russell M. Nelson on the blessing of worthy music

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924—92 years ago today!) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

"Worthy music is powerful. It has the power to make us humble, prayerful, and grateful.

"Prophets through all generations have taught the importance of worthy music in our expressions of worship. A few citations from the scriptures may serve to illustrate.

"An Old Testament scripture bids us to 'make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise' (Psalm 98:4). In the Hebrew language, the meaning of this verse is to literally burst forth into song and to shout for joy. Contrast that spirit of enthusiasm with scenes we may see at church when some sing only passively and without a spirit of joy....

"Music has a sweet power to promote unity and love in the family. Not only is it an important component of family home evenings, but it can also exert a continuing influence for good well beyond times when children are small. For my gift to our family for Christmas 2007, I prepared a compact-disc recording of musical memories. I sat at the piano and recorded a variety of music that I had sung or played to the children through the years. They liked it. Some of the grandchildren told me that the CD was 'cool.'

"Music has power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has the power to facilitate worship, allowing us to contemplate the Atonement and the Restoration of the gospel, with its saving principles and exalting ordinances. It provides power for us to express prayerful thoughts and bear testimony of sacred truths....

"Fill your minds with worthy sights and sounds. Cultivate your precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Protect it as the priceless gift that it is. Carefully listen for its quiet communication. You will be spiritually stronger if you do.

"You know the proverb, 'As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7). As you control your thoughts, you control your actions. Indeed, worthy music can provide power and protection for the soul."

- Russell M. Nelson, "The Power and Protection of Worthy Music," CES fireside address, May 4, 2008; see Ensign, December 2009, pp. 13-17
Click here to read the full article

President Nelson teaches about the impact of "worthy music" — and not all music qualifies. He warns us, "Do not degrade yourself with the numbing shabbiness and irreverence of music that is not worthy of you." So worthy music is worthy of the eternal soul that we each possess, and lifts us closer to God.

He testifies that the right kind of music has incredible power to lift and bless us, sometimes in ways we don't expect:

So the key is to "Fill your minds with worthy sights and sounds." That's a good challenge

Quentin L. Cook on living in tune with the music of faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Please understand that having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are and always will be the defining test of mortality. Above all else, each of us must realize that when one is tone-deaf to the music of faith, he or she is out of tune with the Spirit. As the prophet Nephi taught, 'Ye have heard his voice...; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words' (1 Nephi 17:45).

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord's assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction. (See D&C 68:6.) The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ....

"Let us, therefore, wherever we are on the path of discipleship in Lehi's vision, resolve to awaken within us and our families a greater desire to claim the Savior's incomprehensible gift of eternal life. I pray that we will stay in tune with the music of faith."

- Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith," Ensign, May 2012, pp. 41-44
Click here to read the full talk

This is one of those quotes where I like to second-guess myself. What might I have said is "the defining test of mortality"? Elder Cook suggests his answer is "having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments." That's a wonderful answer! Will we learn to trust God? Will we learn to obey under any circumstances?

But then the caution. Though the gospel and God's plan are presented as the sweet music of eternity, we can become "tone-deaf to the music of faith" (a wonderful phrase he borrows from an English Rabbi) to the point that we fail to hear and feel the power that is offered to us. While those who are "tone-deaf" to music in the traditional sense might not have chosen that malady, and might long to appreciate the beauty music offers, in this symbolic sense, we choose to block out the ability to appreciate the sweet music of the Gospel as we fall short in that defining test of mortality.

The challenge from Elder Cook in this wonderful address is to "awake within us and our families a greater desire to claim the Savior's incomprehensible gift of eternal life."

Bruce R. McConkie on music and worship

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (July 29, 1915 - April 19, 1985) served as a Seventy from 1946-1972 when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve.  He served in that assignment until his death from cancer at age 69.

"Music is part of the language of the Gods. It has been given to man so he can sing praises to the Lord. It is a means of expressing, with poetic words and in melodious tunes, the deep feelings of rejoicing and thanksgiving found in the hearts of those who have testimonies of the divine Sonship and who know of the wonders and glories wrought for them by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

"Music is both in the voice and in the heart. Every true saint finds his heart full of songs of praise to his Maker. Those whose voices can sing forth the praises found in their hearts are twice blest.

"'Be filled with the Spirit,' Paul counseled, 'Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.' (Eph. 5:18-19.) Also: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.' (Col. 3:16.)"

- Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p. 553

Elder McConkie was known for his scriptural, doctrinal pronouncements.  This is an interesting statement, perhaps somewhat of a contrast from his normal topics: "Music is part of the language of the Gods." Language is anything that helps us communicate thoughts and emotions. so that's a valid interpretation. Music is given to man to "communicate praises to the Lord." Is that how we use it? Do we employ music to share "the deep feelings of rejoicing and thanksgiving" that are in our hearts?

I like that expression. The first blessing is just to appreciate the power of music; but one who has a voice capable of expressing what is in the heart is twice-blessed!