Seminary-Notes: The Importance of Music

The Importance of Music

[Seminary-Notes]
====================================
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
====================================
In the October 1991 General Conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer said:

"Music can set an atmosphere of worship which invites [the] spirit of revelation, of testimony."
-- Ensign, November 1991, p. 22

It is probably an understatement, though, to say that not all Seminary students or Seminary classes appreciate and embrace the role that music can play in inviting the Holy Ghost to participate in class that day -- especially when they are asked to sing at 6:00 in the morning.

Did you know that there is a webpage on the official church website that contains many quotations from prophets and general authorities regarding the blessings available through righteous music? It is available here.

If your class is musically-challenged or unenthusiastic, you may wish to take a few minutes to have a discussion with them about the blessings that good music can provide in gospel classrooms.

You might begin your discussion by sharing the scripture mastery scripture Doctrine & Covenants 25:12:

"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."

As this is a New Testament year, you might ask students to read Ephesians 5:18-20:

"Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

and Colossians 3:16:

"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."

Then you can ask students to read and discuss some of the quotations from the numerous choices on the webpage previously mentioned. Here are a few:

"We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps
through any other thing except prayer."
     -- President J. Reuben Clark Jr., Conference Report, October 1936, p. 111

"Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul."
     -- President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1974, p. 67

"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."
     -- "First Presidency Preface," Hymns, 1985, p. x

"When you sing the hymns, . . .ponder the meaning of the words, enjoy the spirit of the music. Sing with enthusiasm without regard to your tones. You will have a good feeling, and your spirit will be enlivened."
     -- Elder Graham W. Doxey, Ensign, October 1991, p. 26