Throughout the years, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have expressed the importance of appropriate music. Music is a powerful and universal language which is referred to in the scriptures as “the song of the heart,” and “a joyful noise.” Here are 33 quotes from Church leaders and scriptures which state the importance of wholesome music.
- “Can anyone doubt that good music is godly or that there can be something of the essence of heaven in great art?” —Gordon B. Hinckley
- “Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song.” —Spencer W. Kimball
- “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 25:12
- “It really matters what you listen to. . . . Select music that will strengthen your spirit.” —Russell M. Nelson
- “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.” —Psalm 66:1–2
- “Through the miracle of sacred music, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon us, and we were made ready for gospel instruction and worship.” —Dallin H. Oaks
- “There is an unlimited supply of good music in the world. Thus our biggest challenge is to choose wisely what we listen to and what we watch.” —M. Russell Ballard
- “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.” —J. Reuben Clark Jr.
- “Music is an effective way to worship our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.” —Dallin H. Oaks
- “Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul.” –Ezra Taft Benson
- “Those who choose, conduct, present, and accompany the music may influence the spirit of reverence in our meetings more than a speaker does.” —Boyd K. Packer
- “Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.” —The First Presidency (Hymns,
ix)
- “I am comforted by the assurance that there will be beautiful music in heaven, and for that I am most grateful.” –Spencer W. Kimball
- “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.” —Colossians 3:16
- “The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord.” —Dallin H. Oaks
- “Music can set an atmosphere of worship which invites [the] spirit of revelation, of testimony.” –Boyd K. Packer
- “If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.” —Doctrine and Covenants 136:28
- “We are in a position, as musicians, to touch the souls of those who listen.” –Spencer W. Kimball
- “Music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. —Bruce R. McConkie
- “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” —Psalm 100:2
- “The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel.” —Dallin H. Oaks
- “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.” —Heber J. Grant
- “Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls.” –David O. McKay
- “Sacred music has a unique capacity to communicate our feelings of love for the Lord.” —Dallin H. Oaks
- “The most effective preaching of the gospel is when it is accompanied by beautiful, appropriate music.” —Harold B. Lee
- Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord. —The First Presidency (Hymns,
ix)
- “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.” —Spencer W. Kimball
- “We are able to feel and learn very quickly through music, through art, through poetry some spiritual things that we would otherwise learn very slowly.” —Boyd K. Packer
- “My soul is always lifted up, and my spirit cheered and comforted, when I hear good music. I rejoice in it very much indeed.” —Joseph Fielding Smith
- “Listen to and sing the music of heaven.” —William R. Bradford
- “Our doctrine is memorized when we memorize our hymns.” —Hugh Pinnock
- “Good music, especially sacred music, makes spiritual things more understandable. It is edifying and conductive to understanding. It prepares emotions for response to promptings of the Holy Spirit.” —Richard G. Scott
- “Through your music, you will be able to rise above the physical into the spiritual. You will be watched over and kept, and angels will attend you and be with you.” —James E. Faust (to The Tabernacle Choir as they were readying for a concert tour in 1998)