Joseph Smith
Monday, 25.--This morning, about one o'clock, I was aroused by an English sister. . . accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters, with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing, "Mortals, awake! with angels join," &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run through my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother Hyrum, who was awakened from his sleep. He arose and went out of doors. He shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of the Lord, and said that he thought at first that a cohort of angels had come to visit him, it was such heavenly music to him. (History of the Church, Vol. 6, Ch. 6, p. 134)
Brigham Young
You are well aware that the wickedness of the world, or the apostacy of the Church, in the world. In many places their folly and superstition are so great that they would consider they had committed the sin of blasphemy if they happened to hear a violin. The whole world could not hire a good, honest, sound Presbyterian, of the old fashion and cut, to look into a room where a company of young men and women were dancing, lest they should sin against the Holy Ghost. This over-righteous notion is imbibed by the generality of professors of religion, but it is because they themselves have made it a sin. Let us look at the root of the matter. In the first place, some wise being organized my system, and gave me my capacity, put into my heart and brain something that delights, charms, and fills me with rapture at the sound of sweet music. I did not put it there; it was some other being. As one of the modern writers has said, "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." It has been proved that sweet music will actually tame the most malicious and venomous beasts, even when they have been stirred up to violent wrath, and make them docile and harmless as lambs. Who gave the lower animals a love for those sweet sounds, which with magic power fill the air with harmony, and cheer and comfort the hearts of men and so wonderfully affect the brute creation? It was the Lord, our heavenly Father, who gave the capacity to enjoy these sounds, and which we ought to do in His name, and to His glory. But the greater portion of the sectarian world consider it sacrilege to give way to any such pleasure as even to listen to sweet music, much more to dance to its delightful strains. This is another short sermon. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 48, April 9, 1852)
John Taylor
We like enjoyment here. That is right. God designs that we should enjoy ourselves. I do not believe in a religion that makes people gloomy, melancholy, miserable and ascetic. I would not want to spend my life in a nunnery, if I were a woman, or in a monastery if I were a man; and I would not think it very exalting to be a hermit, and to live by myself in a poor miserable way. I should not think there was anything great or good associated with that, while everything around, the trees, birds, flowers and green fields, were so pleasing, the insects and bees buzzing and fluttering, the lambs frolicking and playing. While everything else enjoyed life, why should not we? But we want to do it correctly and not pervert any of these principles that God has planted in the human family. Why, there are some people who think that the fiddle, for instance, is an instrument of the devil and it is quite wrong to use it. I do not think so, I think it is a splendid thing to dance by. But some folks think that we should not dance. Yes, we should enjoy life in any way we can. Some people object to music. Why music prevails in the heavens, and among the birds! God has filled them with it. There is nothing more pleasing and delightful than it is to go into the woods or among the bushes early in the morning and listen to the warbling and rich melody of the birds, and it is strictly in accordance with the sympathies of our nature. We have no idea of the excellence of the music we shall have in heaven. It may be said of that, as one of the Apostles has said in relation to something else--"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive of those things which are prepared for those who love and fear God." We have no idea of the excellency, beauty, harmony and symphony of the music in the heavens.
Our object is to get and cleave to everything that is good, and to reject everything that is bad. One reason why religious people in the world are opposed to music and theaters is because of the corruption that is mixed up with them. Wicked and corrupt men associate themselves with these things, and degrade them; but is this any reason that the Saints should not enjoy the gifts of God? Is that a correct principle? Certainly not. It is for them to grasp at everything that is good, and calculated to promote the happiness of the human family. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 15, pp. 271-272, January 5, 1873)
Wilford Woodruff
In the Primary Association, the Sunday schools and the Mutual Improvement Associations, singing should receive a large share of attention. Singing exercises can be made a great attraction and also a valuable addition to the education of the young. The interest that is now taken among us in vocal and instrumental music is a marked feature of the times, and this taste finds increasing opportunities for its development in the facilities which are now being furnished to all who desire its cultivation. Instead of having a select few act as choirs in these institutions to do the singing for the whole, the voices of all should be united in harmonious melody in giving utterance to the feelings of their hearts in hymns and songs. This will increase the pleasure of the meetings, and make all feel that they have an equal interest in worship and rejoicing. (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. 3, pp. 139-140)
. . .
Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 11, 1895.
To Conductor Evan Stephens, and the Members of the Tabernacle Choir,
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The following memoranda express, in part, our wishes and feelings with regard to yourselves and the important work placed in your hands:
First. -- Members of the Tabernacle Choir are really acting as missionaries, called for their special work, their duties being to give the necessary time for training and practice, and their services on the Sabbath, and on other occasions as required by their Conductors.
Second. -- Being called especially to this work, all other duties of a public nature should be secondary. None should be under obligations to perform any other public duty which would conflict with their duties in this choir, unless first released from the choir.
Third. -- All those called to this work should be faithful in their attendance, and should give hearty and cheerful aid to their conductors; complying, as far as possible with the plans and movements deemed necessary to the choir's proper advancement towards perfection in the "Divine Art," which cannot be attained without united effort and perfect discipline.
Fourth. -- The members may feel assured that any and all movements of any importance will only be taken with the full sanction, approval and encouragement of the proper authorities of the Church, by whom you are called to this labor.
We desire to see this choir not only maintain the high reputation it has earned at home and abroad, but become the highest exponent of the "Divine Art" in all the land; and the worthy head, example and leader of all other choirs and musical bodies in the Church, inspiring musicians and poets with purest sentiment and song and harmony, until its light shall shine forth to the world undimmed, and nations shall be charmed with its music.
This choir is and should be a great auxiliary to the cause of Zion. By means of its perfection in the glorious realm of song, it may unstop the ears of thousands now deaf to the truth, soften their stony hearts, and inspire precious souls with a love for that which is divine. Thus removing prejudice, dispelling ignorance and shedding forth the precious light of heaven to tens of thousands who have been, and are still, misled concerning us.
This is a noble work, a glorious cause, worthy of your earnest efforts, and of the exertion it requires; as well as the exercise of the divine gifts and talents with which you are endowed.
And may you, its leaders, officers and members, always be ready, at home or abroad, (as recently at the World's Fair), to reflect the excellence, beauty, intelligence, order and refinement of the people of God, from our Tabernacle on the "Mountain Tops." For to this goodly work you are called, and we confidently believe you will give to it your best energies, will be faithful to this trust, and succeed gloriously.
We remain, Your Brethren in the Gospel, Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith. (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. 3, pp. 267-268)
Lorenzo Snow
Referring to the habits and practices that Brother Penrose has been speaking about, it is a good thing for persons to get into proper habits and practices, and then they are not so liable to make mistakes as they otherwise would be. For instance, a girl starts to learn to play a piano. She has to learn to strike with this hand and then with the other hand, this key and then that key, in order to produce music from that instrument. It may take her a long time to do this; but when she has learned and got into the habit of striking the keys correctly and properly, she can go on and play tune after tune without a mistake. But suppose she should be careless in learning to play, would she not be sure to make a mistake every time she endeavored to play a tune? She certainly would. But she does not make these mistakes if she has learned correctly and has not become discouraged. I have noticed that many young ladies, and young men, too, start in to learn music, but get discouraged, and, failing to persevere, they do not succeed in accomplishing that which they undertook. You may notice the same thing among the Latter-day Saints. Persons get baptized, and they feel to rejoice in the Gospel and that which is unfolded to them. They prosper well for a time; but after awhile they cease to persevere; they become soured, perhaps, at some things they experience in their acquaintance with their brethren who, perchance, are not wise, and they turn their backs upon the principles in which they took so much delight in the beginning, and go into darkness. (Collected Discourses, Vol. 5, March 13th, 1897)
Joseph F. Smith
A certain incident was brought forcibly to my mind while Brother McMurrin was talking to us. Not long ago President Snow and his party attended a Stake conference, and I noticed that the choir was made up almost entirely of young ladies. There were perhaps two young men. One young man led the choir, and I do not remember clearly whether there was one young man in the choir or not besides the leader; but all the rest were young ladies. It was a beautiful choir, and they sang beautifully, but the absence of male voices was very conspicuous, notwithstanding. I believe during one of the services the leader of the choir was absent, and one of the young ladies had to step forward and lead it. I inquired why it was that the young men were not more numerous in that company of singers, and was told that the young men considered it was too effeminate, too womanly, for them to engage in the occupation of singing. I presume they might have felt more at home shaking the quilts, sweeping the floors, and helping to wash the dishes. I can remember when I was a little boy, hearing my father sing. I do not know how much of a singer he was, for at that time I was not capable of judging as to the quality of his singing, but the hymns he sang became familiar to me, even in the days of my childhood. I believe that I can sing them still, although I am not much of a singer. When young men go out into the world to preach the Gospel, they will find it very beneficial for them to know how to sing the songs of Zion. I repeat the admonition and request made by Brother McMurrin, who has recently returned from a lengthy mission to Europe, that the young men who are eligible to preach the Gospel, and who are liable to be called into the missionary field, begin at once to improve their talent to sing, and do not think it is beneath their dignity to join the choirs of the wards in which they live and learn how to sing. When we listen to this choir, under the leadership of Brother Stephens, we listen to music, and music is truth. Good music is gracious praise of God. It is delightsome to the, ear, and it is one of our most acceptable methods of worshipping God. And those who sing in this choir and in all the choirs of the Saints, should sing with the spirit and with the understanding. They should not sing merely because it is a profession, or because they have a good voice; but they should sing also because they have the spirit of it and can enter into the spirit of prayer and praise to God who gave them their sweet voices. My soul is always lifted up and my spirit cheered and comforted when I hear good music. I rejoice in it very much indeed. Now, I would like to encourage the young men of Israel to learn to sing, and especially those young men of whom I have been speaking. I would not like to tell you just where they live, because it might be considered a little personal, but it was down south; it was not very far down south either. It was somewhere near Sanpete Valley. I want the young men of Sanpete Valley to learn how to sing, so that when we go down to hold conference there again we can have the young men joining with the young women in the choir, and not leave the young women to do all the singing. This might apply also to all the other counties; especially should it apply to those counties or Stakes of Zion where the young men think it is beneath their dignity and their manhood to learn how to sing. I hope they will rise above such a foolish notion as this. (Conference Report, October 1899, pp. 68-69)
. . .
Observing this choir of children, it would not appear that Zion is growing less, and it would seem to me, too, that so long as we can preserve with us Brother Stephens and a few others of his associates who are engaged in this glorious work of teaching music, both to the adults and to the children a desire and love for the musical will also increase in the midst of our people. I feel that the parents of these little children owe much to the effort of Brother Stephens in his labor of love, in teaching them how to sing and developing the talent for music which lies dormant within them and needs but the instruction, the teaching, the guiding hand and voice of Brother Stephens to develop the talent that they have.
It delights my heart to see our little children learning to sing, and to see the people, our people everywhere, improving their talents as good singers. Everywhere we go among our people, we find sweet voices and talent for music. I believe that this is a manifestation to us of the purpose of the Lord in this direction toward our people, that they will excel in these things, as they should excel in every other good thing. (Conference Report, April 1904, p. 81)
. . .
I have been looking at these young men and these boys in the choir. I am proud of you boys. I look around here at these young ladies, and I hear them sing, and I am pleased with them. From the depths of my soul I bless them, and I bless these boys. They come here to give their voices, their time, to be in submission to those who teach them to sing. Music is a part of the worship of God, and it is essential to our happiness and joy; and I bless you, boys and girls. I remember, one time, being in a great conference in Sanpete when there was not a boy in the choir. I asked: "Where are the boys?" The whole choir was composed of young ladies, and even the leader was a young lady. I was very pleased with the ladies to be not only singing but leading the choir; so I asked the bishop about it. "O," he said, "the boys would rather go fishing or hunting than sing." I pity them; they have my pity if not my contempt. Singing! Why, thought they, that is a girl's business; and to sing in a choir, above all things, is the most insignificant thing to a man who could go fishing and hunting on Sunday, and riding wild horses. Now, what would that condition of mind bring us to? If a boy can sing, it is more honorable, it is more manly, and saint-like, to come here and sing than to go anywhere he pleases without regard to the wishes of anybody else on the Sabbath day. Yet there are some boys who feel humiliated if they sing in the choir. What a depraved condition of mind a boy must have who feels that way. I am happy you do not feel that way, and I bless you, because you are on the right track. Keep it up. Learn to sing, and by and by some of you good singers, with rare voices, can have them trained so you will stand at the head of the choir and sing before the hosts of angels. But if you go riding horses on Sunday, and fishing and hunting, and neglect your duties in life, you will not even get inside, when you go there, let alone being in the choir. You will not know how to sing, unless you try, while you are here, to do the best you can. [September 13, 1917] (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. 5, pp. 85-86)
Heber J. Grant
We find on the 137th page in the D&C, the following:
"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."
I have, all the days of my life, enjoyed singing very much. When I was a little boy ten years of age I joined a singing class, and the professor told me that I could never learn to sing. Some years ago I had my character read by a phrenologist and he told me that I could sing, but he said he would like to be forty miles away while I was doing it. (Laughter.) I was practicing singing a few weeks ago in the Templeton building, and the room where I was doing so was next to that of a dentist. The people in the hall decided that some one was having his teeth extracted. (Laughter.) When I was a little boy Sister Eliza R. Snow exercised the gift of tongues, and the interpretation was given by Sister Zina D. Young; and therein I was promised that I should be chosen to be one of the leaders of the Church, and I stand here tonight in fulfillment of that prediction. All the days of my life I have tried to sing "O My Father," written by Sister Eliza R. Snow. When I was a child, next to my own mother, no woman that ever lived took as much interest in me, gave me as much motherly advice or seemed to love me more than did Sister Snow. I loved her with all my heart, and loved her hymn, "O My Father." I remarked some four months ago to Brother Horace S. Ensign that I would be willing to spend four or five months of my spare time if I could only learn to sing that one hymn. He told me that any one could learn to sing that had perseverance. I said to him if there was anything that I had it was perseverance. So I suggested that we sit down and I would take my first lesson of two hours on that song. I have been continuing the lessons on it ever since. (Laughter.) I have sung it as high as 115 times in one day. I have practiced on the "Doxology" between three and four hundred times, and there are only four lines, and I cannot sing it yet. (Laughter.) I traveled from Holbrook, Arizona, to St. John, with Brothers Clawson and Kimball, some months ago, and I sang one hundred times that day and gave them nervous prostration. (Laughter.) Now I tried to sing "O My Father" at Snowflake, Arizona, and I only got as far as the "O," and I did not get that right. (Laughter.) I have been delighted tonight with the songs of these little children, and I am delighted with the singing that we have in our Sunday schools. A few months before Brother Goddard died I asked him to let me copy the songs contained in his song book, and I told him that, though I could not sing, yet I would read them to the children and would perpetuate his memory by reading these songs. He made some excuse at the time, but shortly before he died he presented me with a copy of his song book, written in his own hand-writing. I prize it more highly than money. I would not exchange it for its weight in gold. I intended to fulfil my promise, but when I learned, after five or six weeks of hard study, and after singing one hymn thousands of times, to sing a little I decided not to read these songs to the children, but to learn to sing them in the Sabbath schools. Professor Heber S. Goddard is now teaching me to sing, "Who's on the Lord's side, Who?" I do not know how many months it will take him, but I propose to learn it some day, whether it takes six months or six years. (Laughter.) When I do, if I get the opportunity, I will sing it here. I make these remarks because I feel that we ought to encourage our young people to learn to sing. From the standpoint of a singer, I have lost thirty-three years of my life. I was told when ten years old that I could never learn to sing. I did not learn until forty-three years of age, and I have spent four or five months trying to learn to sing the hymns, "God moves in a mysterious way," and "O My Father." I have learned one because of the sentiments and my love for the author, and the other because the late President Wilford Woodruff loved it better than any other hymn in the hymn book. Now all singers say it is a mistake to speak before you sing, and therefore if I do not sing very well it is because I spoke first. (Laughter.)
Brother Grant here sang two stanzas of "O My Father."
Now, when Brother Goddard used to sing, when he got off he would try again. I have sung this two or three times with Brother Ensign, and I know that I am not singing it right; I have not pitched it right. Brother Goddard would try sometimes half a dozen times to pitch a song. I think I had better try and get this in a different key. (Laughter).
Brother Grant then sang the concluding stanzas. (In the same key.)
Now I expect many of you would like to take a trip of thirty or forty miles when you leave here. (Laughter). Now some people will say Brother Grant has made an exhibition of himself by singing here. I have but one object tonight in speaking and singing, and that is to encourage the young men and young ladies not to waste thirty or forty years of their lives before undertaking to sing. If I had told the congregation that I had learned to sing and had not tried they would not have believed it; and many do not believe it now. (Laughter.) But the fact remains that by continued effort one can learn to sing that has no knowledge of music whatever, as was the case with me. I did not know one note from another, and could barely distinguish one tune from another. When I first began to learn to sing this song ("O My Father") I would get off on nearly every line, and did not know it. I have learned to know when I am off. I have been off two or three times tonight. (Laughter). I have been troubled this evening with stage fright and have been very nervous. I have sung this song at least twenty times in this building. Brother Ensign has been behind me to help me tonight. Probably next time I will not have this stage fright.
I want to repeat to the superintendents and teachers that the Lord says "the song of the heart" is a prayer to Him and that it shall be answered with a blessing upon our heads. I have a song in my home every morning, since I learned to sing, and I feel that it is a nice part of the family worship, and I feel that we can increase the capacity of our children to sing and to praise the Lord in the songs of Zion, if we will only teach them to sing over and over again. May the Lord bless you, I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. (Conference Report, April 1900, p. 62)
. . .
L.D.S. INTEREST IN MUSIC. I believe, taken as a whole, there are no people to be found in all the world who are taking more interest in music and the musical uplift of the communities in which they reside, than are the Latter-day Saints.--70th Birthday Pamphlet, November, 1926:15.
The singing of our sacred hymns, written by the servants of God, has a powerful effect in converting people to the principles of the gospel and in promoting peace and spiritual growth. Singing is a prayer to the Lord, as He has said: "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."--Era, 43:522; Doctrine and Covenants, 25:12.
L.D.S. CHOIRS. Singing is a very splendid part of the worship of the Latter-day Saints, and all are proud of the record which Utah's two great musical organizations, the Salt Lake and the Ogden Tabernacle choirs, have made at home and abroad. There are also hundreds of other excellent choirs, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, whose singing to the ordinary lay member, like myself, is an inspiration.
I have listened in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Christiania, Zurich, and Rotterdam to our Mormon choirs. Their singing has been the equal in its inspiring and uplifting character to any that I have heard in the stakes of Zion.--Era, 15:786.
I rejoice in our wonderful Tabernacle Choir. I rejoice in the fine management of this choir and our fine organists. I rejoice in our having such fine groups of singers indifferent parts of Utah that we can bring here to sing for us. I do not think there is another people in the world of the same number that can begin to compare with our people as congregational singers.--CR October, 1939:127.
HYMNS AND CHURCH WORSHIP. Let us not forget our hymns when we go to the house of worship. Let the congregation sing; and by all means let the choir members become familiar with the beautiful sentiments that are contained in our hymns. And so shall our Father in heaven delight in the songs of our hearts, which shall become prayers unto Him, and which He will graciously answer with blessings upon our heads.--Era, 43:522.
LATTER-DAY SAINT HYMNS. I wish that as far as possible we would get into the habit of singing our own music, that is, music composed by our own people. There are an inspiration and spirit which accompany the music of George Careless, Evan Stephens, Joseph J. Daynes, and others of our own faith.--CR April, 1934:105.
I am free to confess that when I go out into the country district and hear sung certain anthems, I wonder why the people do not show preference for the home-made article. I thing that Evan Stephens and these other men were inspired of the Lord to write music for us. I do not want to reflect on any of the magnificent things that have been written by others, but I have gone to many a conference where I have listened to anthems when I would rather have heard a good Latter-day Saint hymn sung.--CR April, 1933:120.
The more beautiful the music by which false doctrine is sung, the more dangerous it becomes. I appeal to all Latter-day Saints, and especially to our choirs, never to sing the words of a song, no matter how beautiful and inspiring the music may be, where the teachings are not in perfect accord with the truths of the gospel.--Era, 15:786.
To my mind the musician who pays little or no attention to the words of a song destroys half the value and charm of his or her singing.--Era, 15:784.
SINGING AND MISSIONARY WORK. I have no ambition to become a singer. But I do feel that there is a great deal lost in the homes of the people by not having the songs of Zion sung therein. Many a missionary robs himself of strength and power and ability to accomplish good, and to make friends, by not knowing how to sing. Another thing, he prevents himself from getting many a supper and many a bed and breakfast, which he could get if he only knew how to sing. People would invite him in, and welcome him, if he knew how to sing. The songs of Zion bring a good influence into our homes.
It is not the eloquence that you possess which will carry conviction to the hearts of the people, but it is the Spirit of Almighty God that is burning in your hearts, and your desire for the salvation of souls. Brigham Young said that the Spirit of the Lord would do more to convert people than the eloquence of men. And I say that the singing of the songs of Zion, though imperfectly, with the inspiration of God, will touch the hearts of the honest more effectively than if sung well without the Spirit of God. Sing with the Spirit of God. Love the words that you sing. I love the songs of Zion.--Era, 4:686.
I am confident that the hymns of Zion, when sung with the proper spirit, bring a peaceful and heavenly influence to our homes, and also aid in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I recommend to the youth of Zion, that they go to work with determination and learn to sing. Particularly is this recommendation made to the young men, because, next to a familiarity with the scriptures, the ability to sing will assist them when they are called to the nations of the earth to preach the gospel. It will insure them many a friend, furnish them many a meal and bed, which they would otherwise go without.--Era, 3:894.
APPRECIATION OF CHURCH MUSICIANS. I say God bless our individual singers and the members of our musical organizations. I know of no more self-sacrificing and loyal people than those who constitute our choirs, and who are constantly singing at funerals and in our meetings for the benefit of the Saints. Their talents are given freely, and almost without exception without financial reward. I for one appreciate, beyond my ability to tell, the self-sacrificing and loyal devotion of our singers. I wish them God-speed, and there is no blessing too good for these faithful workers. From the bottom of my heart, I pray that the choicest blessings of the Lord may ever attend them, and that they may constantly grow and improve in their art, and that they may also advance in a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.--Era, 15:787.
"COME, COME YE SAINTS"--ITS INSPIRATION AND MEANING. I rejoice in hearing the choir and congregation sing all four verses of the great pioneer song, "Come, Come, Ye Saints." It has been a source of regret to me that [formerly] we seldom if ever heard that fourth verse. I remember, on one occasion, while speaking in this hall, I made the request that whenever the choir or congregation should sing this hymn they sing the fourth verse. As I listened to the remarks of our prophet, I was deeply impressed. He [President Joseph F. Smith] asked the question, "Are we as faithful, are we as diligent as our fathers and mothers were?" While that hymn was being sung I remembered his words; and as we were singing it, I asked myself the question, Do I feel as did our parents?--
And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! all is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow too;
With the just we shall dwell.
Do we feel that, if we die, all is well? Are we living so that if the summons should come to us, that we are worthy to go back to our Heavenly Father, when we leave this earth, and be welcomed there? Are we so living that we are worthy of the blessings we have received? I ask myself the question, am I doing all I possibly can for the uplifting not only of myself but of my fellows, am I in very deed a shining light to the people, by reason of the example I set before them?--CR April, 1909.
"WE THANK THEE, O GOD, FOR A PROPHET." I have traveled six solid weeks at a time in different settlements and heard "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" sung in every one of them. And I have thought time and time again that there were any number of Latter-day Saints who ought to put a postscript on it and say, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days provided he guides us in the way we want to be guided."--Era. 44:255. (Gospel Standards, pp. 168-172)
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ON LEARNING TO SING
My mother tried to teach me when I was a small child to sing but failed because of my inability to carry a tune.
Upon joining a singing class taught by Professor Charles J. Thomas, he tried and tried in vain to teach me when ten years of age to run the scale or carry a simple tune and finally gave up in despair. He said that I could never, in this world, learn to sing. Perhaps he thought I might learn the divine art in another world. Ever since this attempt, I have frequently tried to sing when riding alone many miles from anyone who might hear me, but on such occasions could never succeed in carrying the tune of one of our familiar hymns for a single verse, and quite frequently not for a single line.
When I was about twenty-five years of age, Professor Sims informed me that I could sing, but added, "I would like to be at least forty miles away while you are doing it."
Nearly ten months ago, when listening to Brother Horace S. Ensign sing, I remarked that I would gladly give two or three months of my spare time if by so doing it would result in my being able to sing one or two hymns. He answered that any person who had a reasonably good voice, and who possessed perseverance, and was willing to do plenty of practicing, could learn to sing. My response was that I had an abundance of voice, and considerable perseverance. He was in my employ at the time, and I jokingly remarked that while he had not been hired as a music teacher, however, right now I would take my first music lesson of two hours upon the hymn, "O My Father." Much to my surprise, at the end of four or five days, I was able to sing this hymn with Brother Ensign without any mistakes. At the end of two weeks, I could sing it alone, with the exception of being a little flat on some of the high notes. My ear, not being cultivated musically, did not detect this, and the only way I knew of it was by having Brother Ensign and other friends tell me of the error.
One of the leading Church officials, upon hearing me sing, when I first started to practice, remarked that my singing reminded him very much of the late Apostle Orson Pratt's poetry. He said Brother Pratt wrote only one piece of poetry, and this looked as if it had been sawed out of boards, and sawed off straight.
Once, while practicing singing in Brother Ensign's office in the Templeton Building, (his rooms are next to a dentist's) some of the students of the Latter-day Saints' College who were in the hall, remarked that it sounded like somebody was having his teeth pulled.
One would think that the following item from a letter from one of my nearest and most intimate friends would be very discouraging, but, like the uncomplimentary remarks above referred to, it only increased my determination to learn to sing. Referring to my daughter, he says:
"I see Lutie is making quite a name as a singer. I don't think, though, that this fact need encourage you to try to become the George Goddard of the Church. I admit that your point is a good one, i. e., if you can learn to sing, nothing need discourage anybody. But the fact that success ultimately must be reached by traveling along the borderland of ridicule, makes the task a difficult and delicate one, particularly for an apostle, who, unlike the ordinary musical crank, cannot afford to cultivate his thorax at the expense of his reputation as a man of judgment."
One Sunday, at the close of a meeting in the Thirteenth Ward, upon telling Professor Charles J. Thomas that Brother Ensign informed me that I could sing, he said:
"Didn't you tell him I said no?"
I answered, "Yes."
He said, "Why, you can't even run the scale."
I said, "I am aware of that fact, having tried for half an hour this morning and failed."
My voice at ten years of age, must have made a very deep impression upon Brother Thomas, seeing that he had remembered it for thirty-three years. Noticing that he seemed quite skeptical, I asked him to walk over with me into the corner of the building, so as not to disturb the people who had not yet left the meetinghouse and I sang to him in a low voice, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way." At the close he said: "That's all right."
At the end of two or three months, I was able to sing not only, "O My Father," but "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," "Come, Come, Ye Saints," and two or three other hymns. Shortly after this, while taking a trip south, I sang one or more hymns in each of the Arizona stakes, and in Juarez, Mexico. Upon my return to Salt Lake City, I attempted to sing "O My Father," in the big Tabernacle, hoping to give an object lesson to the young people, and to encourage them to learn to sing. I made a failure, getting off the key in nearly every verse, and instead of my effort encouraging the young people, I fear that it tended to discourage them.
When first starting to practice, if some person would join in and sing bass, tenor, or alto, I could not carry the tune. Neither could I sing, if anyone accompanied me on the piano or organ, as the variety of sounds confused me.
I am pleased to be able to say that I can now sing with piano or organ accompaniment, and can also sing the lead in "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," in a duet, a trio, or quartet. I have learned quite a number of songs, and have been assured by Brother Ensign, and several others well versed in music, to whom I have sung within the past few weeks, that I succeeded without making a mistake in a single note, which I fear would not be the case were the attempt to be made in public. However, I intend to continue trying to sing the hymn, "O My Father," in the assembly hall or big tabernacle until such time as I can sing it without an error.
How did I succeed so far? Brother Ensign adopted the plan of having me sing a line over and over again, trying to imitate his voice. He kept this up until the line was learned and could be "pronounced musically," on the same principle as learning the sound of a word. The child may be taught to pronounce correctly the word "incomprehensibility," notwithstanding the length, even if the child does not understand the phonetic sounds. I learned to sing upon the same principle, starting, figuratively speaking, in the eighth grade, with not even a knowledge of the contents of the primary. It required a vast amount of practice to learn, and my first hymn was sung many hundreds of times before I succeeded in getting it right.
Upon my recent trip to Arizona, I asked Elders Rudger Clawson and J. Golden Kimball if they had any objections to my singing one hundred hymns that day. They took it as a joke and assured me that they would be delighted. We were on the way from Holbrook to St. Johns, a distance of about sixty miles. After I had sung about forty tunes, they assured me that if I sang the remaining sixty they would be sure to have nervous prostration. I paid no attention whatever to their appeal, but held them to their bargain and sang the full one hundred. One hundred and fifteen songs in one day, and four hundred in four days, is the largest amount of practicing I ever did.
Today [1900] my musical deafness is disappearing, and by sitting down to a piano and playing the lead notes, I can learn a song in less than one-tenth the time required when I first commenced to practice.--Era, 3:886-890.
"THAT WHICH WE PERSIST IN DOING BECOMES EASIER FOR US TO DO.. ."
I propose to sing the "Holy City" in the big tabernacle before I get through with it, and I propose to sing it without a mistake. I do not say this boastingly, because I believe what Alma of old said, in the twenty-ninth chapter of his book, that God granteth unto men according to their desires, whether they be for good or evil, for joy or remorse of conscience. I desire to sing, and I expect to work at it and stay right with it until I learn. The most I ever worked was to sing four hundred songs in four days; that is the heaviest work I have ever done in the singing line. There are a great many people who can learn to sing very easily. When I started to learn to sing, it took me four months to learn a couple of simple hymns, and recently I learned one in three hours by the watch and then sang it without a mistake.
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased." I propose to keep at it until my power to do is increased to the extent that I can sing the songs of Zion. Nobody knows the joy I have taken in standing up in the tabernacle and other places and joining in the singing, because it used to be a perfect annoyance to me to try and to fail, besides annoying those around me, because I loved the words of the songs of Zion, and would sing.
I am very sorry now for having persecuted people as I used to. In our meetings in the temple, the brethren would say, "That is as impossible as it is for Brother Grant to carry a tune," and that settled it. Everybody acknowledged that was one of the impossibilities.
I believe what the Lord says: "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) I desire to serve the Lord, and pray unto Him in the songs of Zion; and I know that it produces a good influence.--CR. April, 1901:62-64. (Gospel Standards, pp. 351-355)
George Albert Smith
We have listened to sweet voices that have entertained and entranced us. I think it is delightful to hear that we have a chorus of singing mothers. And it is pleasing also to have a chorus of singing fathers, in the priesthood quorums. I am grateful for a Church that teaches the joy and encourages the sweet influence that come from music. So important are the hymns of the Church, that our Heavenly Father appointed the Prophet's wife Emma to select hymns that were appropriate for sacred services. We do have excellent hymns in this Church. Even our Primary children, beginning in their tender years, are taught not only to sing the songs of the world, but they are taught to sing the praises of our Heavenly Father and to give thanksgiving in the music that is prepared. What a comforting, uplifting influence there is in music. (Conference Report, April 1935, p. 47)
. . .
This morning we have enjoyed this marvelous Tabernacle Choir. Do you realize what it is doing? I wonder if you know how many people appreciate the members of this Choir. These singers interest them in the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that none of the rest of us can, because they have the facility of the great organ, and the combination of their tuneful voices, inspired with a desire to bless mankind.
Some time ago I received a request from a fine Catholic man in Northern California who was injured in the World War. He said, "I wish you would have the Tabernacle Choir sing something for me on a certain Sunday." He explained that he had to go on the operating table the next day to have his leg taken off, and wanted to have the Tabernacle Choir sing for him. He mentioned the song he desired to have sung. I telephoned to the Choir leader and asked if it were possible, "No, the program is already prepared, but say to the good man if he will listen in we will sing something that will be pleasing to him."
I wrote him that they were going to sing something he would enjoy. He asked the hospital attendant if he could have the privilege of bringing a radio into his room, but was told that radios were not allowed in that hospital. He was greatly disappointed. Then he sent for the superintendent and finally convinced him that he was entitled to a radio. He told him he was going to lose his leg, that he was an ex-soldier in a government hospital and that the radio would not bother anybody else.
And so he gained permission to have the radio in his room. Then he sent for his folks who lived sixty or seventy miles north. They came down and sat around his bed and enjoyed the music.
When this great Choir was singing he listened with genuine satisfaction, the result of which was that next morning when the doctor examined him, he said: "There is no necessity of taking you into the operating room, your leg is getting all right. We will not take it off."
In a few days my friend wrote to me and said: "I wonder if other people would think what I think," inferring that he had been healed by hearing the hymns of praise that the Lord loves to hear.
I want to say to this Tabernacle Choir that this is only one of the many blessings that we could trace to them if we had time, for others have come to my attention. (Conference Report, October 1941, pp. 98-99)
. . .
I wonder sometimes if we realize the importance of music. I wonder if we know that the Lord himself is concerned about it. He has given us the information that the song of praise is a prayer unto him. In our day he has given revelation about music. He gave instruction that Emma Smith was to gather the hymns that were to be sung in the Church. He said to her: "And verily I say unto thee, thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for things of a better. And it shall be given thee also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me to be had in my Church. 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. (Doctrine and Covenants 25:10-12) So to this fine chorus, the choir and these other musicians, I would like to call attention to the fact that in our day our Heavenly Father has given a revelation, teaching us that it is our privilege, yea, our blessing, to sing, and that our songs should be sung in righteousness. (Church Section, Deseret News, February 16, 1946.)
. . .
I am sure we have been uplifted by the glorious music of these Singing Mothers this morning, representing the greatest women's organization in all the world, given to the work of charity and uplifting womankind. This group this morning, who have just sung to us, represent this particular region; and if you were to travel in different parts of the world, even to the South Seas, you would find a group of Singing Mothers in the various missions of the Church. They sing the same music that we sing here, but the hymns have been translated into their own languages, and they rejoice in singing praises to our Heavenly Father. (April Conference Report, 1946, p. 3)
. . .
I am thinking of one of the things in Sunday School that influenced me as a child. I was not a very good singer, but I enjoyed music, and I remember some of the hymns that influenced my life. I have jotted a few of them down that I would like to read to you: "Abide With Me"; "Angry Words, Oh Let Them Never"; "We Are Sowing, Daily Sowing, Countless Seeds of Good or Ill"; "Beautiful Words of Love"; "Haste to the Sunday School." (I think that was the way I got my idea of punctuality, because when I was a boy we dared not go into a class late) "Catch the Sunshine"; "Ere the Sun Goes Down"; "Did You Think to Pray." I ask this audience, "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? Did you sue for loving favor as a shield today?" Then, "Hope of Israel, Zion's Army"; "Kind Words Are Sweet Tones of the Heart"; "Improve the Shining Moments"; "Scatter Seeds of Sunshine"; "Let Us All Press On in the Work of the Lord"; "Never Be Late to the Sunday School class." And one I shall always remember was, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer"; also, "In Our Lovely Deseret, where the Saints of God have met"; and "Today While the Sun Shines, Work With a Will."
I remember George Goddard and William Willis, two dear old brethren who used to come to the Sunday School in the Seventeenth Ward when I was there and lead us in singing "I Am a Mormon Boy," and other hymns. All these things have come to my mind today, and I feel that the hymns that have been taught the sons and daughters of the Latter-day Saints in the Sunday School are a continuous sermon of righteousness. I am sure that they have inspired many of us to do the things that the Lord would like us to do. (Instructor, November 1946)
David O. McKay
As I listened to that inspiring rendition of "O My Father," I thought, music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls! (Conference Report, April 1945, p. 119)
. . .
We express appreciation at this time for the inspirational singing rendered by the Swiss-German Choir this morning and this afternoon. We thank you Brother Rimmasch, and all the members of the Choir for the excellent, inspirational service you have rendered. Each number has been characterized by a soulful expression which radiates directly from your hearts, and whenever music is thus rendered it carries the message which our hymns should carry. (Conference Report, October 1953, p. 72)
. . .
There are things in every human mind that cannot be expressed in words, but they can be in music, and we have had that message this morning sung in the music by the Choir. (Conference Report, April 1964, p. 64)
. . .
The LDS life is an abundant life as it embraces all that is beautiful and worthwhile. Music, often referred to as the divine art, is a part of this abundance, bringing joy to all. (Church News, 28 August 1983)
Joseph Fielding Smith
I would like to say right here that it delights my heart to see our people everywhere improving their talents as good singers. Everywhere we go among our people we find sweet voices and talent for music. I believe that this is a manifestation to us of the purpose of the Lord in this direction toward our people, that they will excel in these things, as they should excel in every other good thing. I can remember, when I was a young boy, hearing my father sing. I do not know how much of a singer he was, for at that time I was not capable of judging as to the quality of his singing, but the hymns he sang became familiar to me in the days of my childhood.
When we listen to this choir, we listen to music, and music is truth. Good music is gracious praise of the Lord. It is delightsome to the ear, and it is one of our most acceptable methods of worshipping. And those who sing in the choir and in all the choirs of the Saints should sing with the Spirit and with understanding. They should not sing merely because it is a profession, or because they have a good voice; but they should sing also because they have the spirit of it, and can enter into the spirit of prayer and praise the Lord who gave them their sweet voices. My soul is always lifted up, and my spirit cheered and comforted, when I hear good music. I rejoice in it very much indeed. (Conference Report, October 1969, pp. 109-110)
. . .
In one of the darkest hours in the history of the Church, when the weary members were crossing the plains having been driven from their homes, the Lord through President Brigham Young said to them: "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful." (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, p. 307)
. . .
After meeting someone whom I had never met before on earth, I have wondered why that person's face seemed so familiar. More than once, upon hearing a noble sentiment expressed, though unable to recall that I had ever heard it until then, I have found myself in sympathy with it, was thrilled by it, and felt as if I had always known it. The same is true of some strains of music; they are like echoes of eternity. I do not assert pre-acquaintance in all such cases, but as one thought suggests another these queries arise in the mind. (The Way to Perfection, p. 45)
. . .
Since singing is pleasing to the Lord and a prayer unto him when it is "sacred" and a song of the heart, Latter-day Saints should endeavor always to sing in harmony with the Spirit and with understanding. Frequently the spirit of a meeting is hampered by improper music and singing . . . Our songs should be always in keeping with the Gospel truth. False doctrine is discovered frequently in sectarian hymns. Beautiful melody cannot compensate for false sentiment, yet we have this to contend with constantly in the services of the Church . . . Choir leaders should endeavor to be prepared with songs which will harmonize perfectly with the theme of the meeting. (CHMR, Vol. 1, p. 119)
Harold B. Lee
My experience of a lifetime, and particularly the last thirty-two years as a General Authority, convinces me that the most effective preaching of the gospel is when it is accompanied by beautiful, appropriate music. (Conference Report, April 1973, p. 181)
Spencer W. Kimball
Every congregation should have a choir. If you don't have a ward choir, you are not organized fully, any more than if you do not have a Relief Society. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 518)
. . .
You can change by changing your environment. Let go of lower things, and reach for higher. Surround yourself with the best in books, music, art, and people. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 172)
. . .
The arts should build. We cannot give in to the ways of the world with regard to the realm of art . . . Brigham Young said there is "no music in hell." Our art must be the kind which edifies man, which takes into account his immortal nature, and which prepares us for heaven, not hell. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 392)
. . .
Down in New Zealand, I was the recipient of many courtesies while there. They sang and danced and rolled their eyes and stuck out their tongues. And so we applaud them, you know, and think it wonderful to encourage the continuation of that culture. But as it was interpreted to me, . . . they chant and sing battle hymns -- not peace hymns. And so I said to some of the leaders: "With all your beautiful voices, your wonderful talent, why don't you develop some impressive songs on the themes surrounding the coming of Christ, about the restoration of the gospel, about lofty ideals, the latter-day exodus, the glories and good things which the gospel and the Church have brought us?" In all cultures, let us perpetuate not the mating dances, the sex stories, but the good and the beautiful and lofty as we sing and as we dance.
We should be perpetuating Mormonism and the gospel; the true way of life. That doesn't mean we need to bury all things of the past; but, if there is anything associated with paganism or sectarianism or sex, we eliminate. And so, we are building a great culture entirely different from that out there in the sectarian world. We are building a glorious culture of cleanliness and morality with high-minded, wonderful people. And, all the things the Church does -- the singing of the songs, the speaking in public, the organization -- the everything is devoted to this one thing: building a great spiritual culture that the Lord wants. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 394)
. . .
There are numerous branches and small wards . . . where the numbers are fewer and the talent less plentiful, but there surely could be no unit without sufficient singers and reasonably competent organists and directors to carry forward a splendid choir even though in some cases it may have fewer numbers. I once dedicated a chapel for a ward of eighty-two persons and they had a commendable choir of thirty voices. . . . A general announcement asking ward members to join and support the choir will not produce the best results. Prospective choir members should be invited individually in a dignified way. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 518)
. . .
Enthusiastic singing enhances meetings. It is sad to me to see in the congregations many people standing silent when they could be singing "their hearts out." I wonder constantly if they would sing happily today if for twelve years they could only move their lips through thousands of songs and could make no sound? I wonder if the silent ones can even imagine what it is like to be unable to join fellow singers in praise to their Lord in music? . . .
If the conductor sings also, it will encourage the congregation and help them remember the words. . . . In every beat of the baton should be the pleading to the Saints of God: Sing. Sing. Sing from your hearts. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 518-519)
. . .
Music and instruments should induce appropriate feelings. Musical sounds can be put together in such a way that they can express feelings -- from the most profoundly exalted to the most abjectly vulgar. Or rather, these musical sounds induce in the listener feelings which he responds to, and the response he makes to these sounds has been called a "gesture of the spirit." Thus, music can act upon our senses to produce or induce feelings of reverence, humility, fervor, assurance, or other feelings attuned to the spirit of worship. When music is performed in Church which conveys a "gesture" other than that which is associated with worship, we are disturbed, upset, or shocked to the degree with which the musical "gesture" departs from or conflicts with the appropriate representation of feelings of worship. . . .
When people are invited to perform special numbers in sacred meetings, whether ward members or others, it is important to know in advance what numbers will be given and that they are devotional in character and in keeping with the spirit of worship. To be avoided are love songs, popular ballads, theatrical numbers, and songs with words not in harmony with the doctrines of the Church. Persons invited to perform should be specifically urged to remain throughout the service. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 519)
. . .
Musicians hold a gift in trust. The responsibility for producing, selecting, and performing music for the Church requires discrimination, taste, knowledge, and the proper spirit; in short, it requires the best efforts that our best musicians can give inasmuch as we are using gifts which the Lord has given us for the purpose of building up his kingdom and as a demonstration of our faith and love for him. We are in a position, as musicians, to touch the souls of those who listen. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 519)
. . .
I am comforted by the assurance that there will be beautiful music in heaven. (Ensign, November 1982, p. 4)
Ezra Taft Benson
I enjoy music. I am grateful for good music. I think it is the finest of the fine arts. I am grateful to our Heavenly Father that He has blessed some of His children with a fine musical talent and that He has blessed others with an appreciation of good music. (Czechoslovakia, 26 November 1946.)
Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul. When Saul was troubled with an evil spirit, David played for him with his harp and Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed (see 1 Samuel 16:23). "Memorize some of the inspiring songs of Zion and then, when the mind is afflicted with temptations, sing aloud, keep before your mind the inspiring words and thus crowd out the evil thoughts." This could also be done to crowd out debilitating, depressive thoughts. ("Do Not Despair," Ensign 16 [October 1986]: 5.)
Encourage our people to have music that contributes to spirituality and worship, whether it be prelude music or the songs that are selected. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be appropriate to have a patriotic song, such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Hymns, 1985, no. 60). "America" is also a hymn (Hymns, 1985, no. 339). Music is such an important part of our service. (Salt Lake City, Utah, 3 October 1978.)
One of our fine musicians has suggested a top ten for great music. May I just mention them -- at least three or four of them. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," known to you as the pop tune, "Joy"; Handel's Messiah -- start by listening to single numbers and then expand as they become familiar, (the "Hallelujah Chorus" may be a good starting point); Mozart's "Symphony No. 40 in G minor" (you will recognize this also from the pops version); Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor;" and so on. (BYU Ten-Stake Fireside, Provo, Utah, 7 May 1972.)
Have you been listening to the music that many young folks are hearing today? Some of it is nerve-jamming in nature and much of it has been deliberately designed to promote revolution, dope, immorality, and a gap between parent and child. And some of this music has invaded our Church cultural halls.
Have you noticed some of our Church dances lately? Have they been praiseworthy, lovely, and of good report? (Article of Faith 13.) "I doubt," said President David O. McKay, "whether it is possible to dance most of the prevalent fad dances in a manner to meet LDS standards." (CR April 1969, Improvement Era 72 [June 1969]: 46-47.)
The Spirit of the Lord blesses that which edifies and leads men to Christ. Would His Spirit bless with its presence these festering rock festivals of human degradation? Its music, crushing the sensibilities in a din of primitive idolatry, is in glorification of the physical to the debasement of the spirit. In the long panorama of man's history, these rock music festivals are among Satan's greatest successes. The legendary orgies of Greece and Rome cannot compare to the monumental obscenities found in these cesspools of drugs, immorality, rebellion, and pornophonic sound. The famed Woodstock festival was a gigantic manifestation of a sick nation. Yet the lurid movie and rock recordings of its unprecedented filth were big business in our own mountain home.
The Lord said, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me" (D&C 25:12). It was pleasing unto the Lord where in the Book of Mormon we read that "they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their God" (3 Nephi 4:31). It was pleasing unto Satan when Lehi's children and the "sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness" (I Nephi 18:9). (God, Family, Country, pp. 248-49.)
The magnetism of television and radio is in the accessibility of their mediocrity. Lovely is not an adjective to describe most of their products. The inventors of these wonders were inspired by the Lord. But once their good works were introduced to the world, the powers of darkness began to employ them for our destruction.
May I quote from Richard Nibley, a musician who for many years has observed the influence of music on behavior:
Satan knows that music hath charms to sooth or stir the savage beast. That music has power to create atmosphere has been known before the beginning of Hollywood. Atmosphere creates environment, and environment influences behavior -- the behavior of Babylon or of Enoch.
Rock music, with its instant physical appeal, is an ideal door-crasher, for the devil knows that music has the power to ennoble or corrupt, to purify or pollute. He will not forget to use its subtle power against you. His sounds come from the dark world of drugs, immorality, obscenity, and anarchy. His sounds are flooding the earth. It is his day -- a day that is to become as the days of Noah before the Second Coming, for the prophets have so predicted. The signs are clear. The signs are here in this blessed land. You cannot escape this mass media environment which is controlled by financial censorship. Records, radio, television, movies, magazines -- all are monopolized by the money managers who are guided by one ethic, the words wealth and power. (BYU Ten-Stake Fireside, Provo, Utah, 7 May 1972.)
Don't listen to music that is degrading. "Music can, by its tempo, by its beat, by its intensity (and I would add by its lyrics) dull the spiritual sensitivity of men (and women). Young people, you cannot afford to fill your minds with this unworthy, hard music of our day." ("Inspiring Music -- Worthy Thoughts," Ensign 4 [January 1974]: 25.)
Instead, we encourage you to listen to uplifting music, both popular and classical, that builds the spirit. Learn some favorite hymns from our new hymnbook that build faith and spirituality. Attend dances where the music and the lighting and the dance movements are conducive to the Spirit. ("To the Young Women of the Church," Ensign 16 [November 1986]: 84.)
Give more than lip service to the Thirteenth Article of Faith, and actually seek after that "which is lovely and of good report." Enlist your parents in a project to replace your record library with music of the masters, of your heritage. Peter pictured the times so evident today when in the last days he saw "scoffers walking after their own lusts" (2 Peter 3:3). The scoffers are "in" and your will must be strong to stay a "square." (BYU Ten-Stake Fireside, Provo, Utah, 7 May 1972.) (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 324-327)
. . .
Encourage good music and art and literature in your homes. Homes that have a spirit of refinement and beauty will bless the lives of children forever. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 512)
. . .
Singing songs and hymns can be a means of bringing inspiring music into the home and of helping each child to build his own musical vocabulary. Many parents have simply turned the musical education of their children over to the local rock radio station, with increasingly unpleasant results. Most children are delighted to discover music of genuine merit when their parents help to make it available to them. Bringing great music into the home can be an enriching and exciting experience not only for children but for parents as well. The main value of a talent time is the manner in which it can help children overcome shyness and reticence when performing before an audience. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 528)
Gordon B. Hinckley
The singing of hymns and the rendition of selections from the great sacred oratorios by ward choirs all enhance the spirit of worship (Ensign, May 1987, p. 44)
. . .
Can anyone doubt that good music is godly or that there can be something of the essence of heaven in great art? (Conference Report, October 1985