Final Preparation to SING and SHINE for the Sat Aft Session of General Conference - 4 Oct 2014

After much prayer and fasting, and receiving those tender feelings in the Temple to confirm my thoughts, I have prepared the following thoughts about the verses of the three amazingly beautiful Hymns that our Choir of 364 is going to sing this Saturday at the Afternoon Session of General Conference:

 


1. Arise, O God and Shine

Vs 1 - Herald Angels trumpet all to heed attention –but the world doesn’t understand


Vs 2 – Still Small Voice that penetrates their heart with the beginning of understanding


Vs 3 – Magnificent voice from Heaven which the world NOW hears is manifest in the most beautiful harmony


Vs 4 – The celestial harmony becomes polyphony as Angels attend those who are encircled by the Spirit – 3 Nephi Ch 17!





2. I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Vs 1 – Having just witnessed and felt such great things – we ponder and meditate and write it upon our hearts


Vs 2 – The Priesthood of the Son of God goes forth to bless God’s children


Vs 4 – We bare record of Him; of things so great and marvelous that no one can conceive of the joy which fills our souls! – 3 Nephi Ch 17!

3. Abide With Me ‘Tis Eventide

Vs 1 – We are in tears, looking steadfastly towards our Savior, with our hearts asking him to tarry a little longer with us


Vs 2 – The Priesthood of the Son of God goes forth to bless God’s children


Vs 3 - The heavens open and we are encircled about with fire as we sing and bear record of Him! – 3 Nephi Ch 17!






And of course, we cannot conclude our journey without finding our Choir of 364 likened within the sacred scriptures that led us in our journey to sing praises to our God and King!

In my daily Book of Mormon scripture reading, I have arrived at the 17th Chapter of 3rd Nephi, which contains some of the most tender descriptions of our Savior's love for His people!  In this Chapter, Jesus directs the people to ponder His words and pray for understanding. Then, He heals their sick AND He prays for them, all of them, using language that cannot be written. And, then when your heart can barely hold all of the beautiful and heart-felt things that you are reading, you then read of how the Lord's angels minister to the children and how the people are able to witness that fire encircles them!  Such holy writ!  And, it is within these scriptures (3 Nephi 17) that our Choir of 364 is likened in preparation for them to sing:



5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on our choir of 364, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.


6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.


9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.



15 And [Jesus], he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.



16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;



17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.



18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the choir of 364 that they were overcome.



19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them ARISE.



20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto our choir of 364: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.



24 And as our choir looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled our choir of 364 about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record with their singing; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about three hundred and sixty four souls; and they did consist of men and women, who did sing the song of Redeeming Love.

This Choir journey has been a most blessed experience and one for which my heart will forever be full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this most tender of mercies given to me. Thank-you for allowing me to share my joy and love of my Savior with you, because I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
 

The Book of Mormon Helped Us to Know How to Sing and Let Our Light Shine!

We heard such beautiful messages and music at the Women's General Session of Conference and wanted to use those messages to guide us in how our Choir of 364 should prepare ourselves for our turn to sing.

Paraphrasing words and thoughts from Sister Neill F. Marriott, 2nd counselor in the Young Women general presidency, we found what we needed to help our light shine:



“As faithful [choir members] give voice to truth and share our light, we are able to push back the darkness of the world”, In order to do this, “We must go to the source of light — to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; [to] the scriptures,” said “AND to the temple, [because we know] that all things within its walls point to Christ and His great atoning sacrifice.”


“Why do [TEMPLES] beautify and shine? Because as the scriptures say, ‘truth shineth,’ and temples contain truth and eternal purpose; so do you.”

“By the nourishing spirit of the temple we can learn the reality, the power and the hope of the Savior’s Atonement in our personal life.”



In fact, Elder George Q Cannon explained that "every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness."


Continuing with paraphrasing words and thoughts from Sister Neill F. Marriott's message:


“[Our Choir of 364] may not walk the roads of Palestine healing the sick, but we sing about how the healing love of the Atonement blesses the sick and faint of heart. Though we will not cause the blind to see in the manner of the Savior, we sing and testify of the plan of salvation to the spiritually blind. We sing and touch hearts and open the eyes of their understanding to the necessity of priesthood power in eternal covenants.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf also declared:

“The Infinite and Eternal Creator of LIGHT and life knows you! He is mindful of you,” “Yes, God loves you this very day and always.

“He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and LIGHT you have the potential and the desire to become.

“Walking in the path of discipleship does not need to be a bitter experience,” President Uchtdorf said. “It is not a burden that weighs us down. Discipleship lifts our spirits and lightens our hearts. It inspires us with faith, hope, and charity. It fills our spirits with light in times of darkness and serenity during times of sorrow.

“It gives us divine power and lasting joy.”

 President Uchtdorf concluded saying “Live the gospel joyful!”

 Which is exactly what our Savior taught to the Nephites in a discourse similar to the Sermon on the Mount in 3 Nephi 12:

14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.


15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;


16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 We will be singing JOYFUL! We will sing that our LIGHT will SHINE, that all may know we love our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son!

It Felt Like A Miracle At Our Choir Dress Rehearsal!

Tender feelings were felt in abundance as had our Dress Rehearsal in the Conference Center. The parallels of our 'choir journey' through the Book of Mormon scriptures were before us!

As a result of my daily Book of Mormon readings, we had now progressed to A.D. 34 in 3 Nephi Chapter 11 where we read that  "Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude gather together in the land Bountiful [and at the Temple], and did minister unto them."

Our hearts were full as we arrived at the Conference Center, next to the Salt Lake Temple, the House of the Lord.

At the Conference Center looking across the Salt Lake Temple

We raised our voices and sang of Christ and His Atonement. We humbly felt encircled in the Arms of His Love as we shared our testimonies of Him with our beautiful music.



The following verses describe the feelings of our heart as our Choir of 364 is likened with-in these 5 verses of 3 Nephi 11:


13 And it came to pass that the Lord‍ spake unto our choir of 364 saying:


14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust‍ your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel‍ the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God‍ of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.


15 And it came to pass that our choir of 364 went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did‍ feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was He, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.


16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did sing with one accord, singing:

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship‍ Him.


This is how we felt. These are the feelings that flooded our hearts and filled our souls.

Our Amazing 4th Rehearsal Where We Did Break Forth and Sing As One Voice

One of our Choir members shared the following to express how they felt after our amazing 4th General Conference Choir Rehearsal.  It's a beautiful song and I hope you'll listen, as it truly describes what we are feeling as we are singing:

"When I Sing" by Tyler Castleton from his CD "When I can't speak: The music of Tyler Castleton"; Shadow Mountain Records; with artwork from various LDS artists including Greg Olsen


It had been difficult after some of our Sectional rehearsals, to come back together and remember what it was like as we sang with one voice, as all the sections were now singing as their own unit. With concern and worry in my heart, I took my concerns to my Heavenly Father in prayer, and then opened my Book of Mormon and read words that were again an answer to comfort my heart! Again, I found my Choir of 364 likened within the scriptures of 3 Nephi chapter 4.

As we have traveled through time, from being first  likened to Helaman's 2000 Stripling Warriors, my Choir of 364 is now at 20 A.D. and have become the Lord's righteous people:



29 May the Lord preserve His people in righteousness and in holiness of heart.....

30 And we did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, bless this choir in righteousness, so long as we shall call on the name of our God.



31 And it came to pass that we did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising our God for the great thing which he had done for us, in preserving both our minds and voices; our minds blessed with perfect memory of our songs and our voices preserved from sore throats, and hoarseness, and allergies.



32 Yea, we did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And we did sing: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.



33 And our hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering us from the elements that would hinder our voices and singing; and we knew it was because of our repentance and our humility that we had been delivered and preserved to sing the songs of our Savior’s Redeeming Love; and to sing our praises to Him while seated at the foot of the Holy Temple and in that great Conference Center, before the Prophet and all of the Apostles; even all of the Lord’s Seventies; and before all the world.


We are prepared and ready to have our dress rehearsal at the Conference Center where we will once again, 'break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising our God!'

Our General Conference Choir is United in Singing of our Savior and Redeemer!

We have loved our daily Book of Mormon scripture reading! Errol and I are back to "companion" mode, as we were when serving our mission together.  We never stopped reading or studying, but after our mission, for a time, we were both studying separately and each seeking individual enlightenment in the scriptures. And while we still continue to each have our own personal time in the scriptures or Conference Messages; there has been a wonderful spirit of unity and togetherness as we have maintained and reserved our morning Book of Mormon reading as our family 'companion' scripture study time. The result is that we're on the same page in our thoughts through-out the day!

As noted in the previous blogs, we found my Choir of 364 likened in the scriptures about Helaman's faithful army of 2000 Stripling Warriors. We followed their steadfastness through the battles and trials through the years until we arrived at Samuel the Lamanite, preaching on the wall to the wicked Nephites below. Obviously, my Choir of 364 was no where to be found in these scriptures!

And then, yesterday's Sabbath morning, we arrived in our daily scripture reading to the 16th Chapter of Helaman in the Book of Mormon. And there was my Choir of 364!

While on the wall, Samuel the Lamanite tells the wicked Nephites of the converted Lamanites who have been firm and steadfast in the faith; and also of how the Lord will be merciful to the Lamanites in the latter-day days. At this time, it's about 6 B.C.

(Remember, Helaman's beloved army of 2000 were the sons of the people of Ammon, who were converted Lamanites.)

Following, is my Choir of 364 likened within the scriptures of Helaman 16:

5 And I would that ye should behold that my choir of 364 are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses.

 6 Yea, I say unto you, that all the choir are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their families and friends to the knowledge of the truth; therefore they are diligent to sing praises daily.

 7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, … and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—

8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been singing glorious hymns of praise evermore.

 9 And ye know also that they have shaved off their beards, and parted their hair; and , and even after much prayer, they have shopped till they dropped to find that perfect blouse within the approved pallet of colors; and even they have removed their sequins and shiny buttons, and buried their paisley and patterned ties, — for behold they will suffer themselves to shorten and even miss their vacations and special family gatherings and travel many miles and hours from Island Park northward in Idaho and even from Saint George which is far to the south; that they may be in attendance and not miss one of our rehearsals, and this because of their faith in Christ.

 10 And now, because of their steadfastness that they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness in that they have been enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless our choir of 364 and prolong their singing with miracles -

 11 Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief to doubt that the Lord shall prolong their singing, until the time shall come which they shall be at the great Conference Center, where also will be the prophet Monson, and many other prophets, who testify concerning the restoration of the Gospel; it is there our choir of 364 will again be brought to the knowledge of the truth—

12 -- that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our choir of 364; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have to keep them from singing, and notwithstanding they shall endure changes to the music and feel lost on their part, and frantic that they missed the cut-off, and took a breath when they should not have, and be corrected and re-corrected on their pronunciation that they feel driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them.

 13 And this is according to the great blessing given to them for their uniting to sing of their Savior and Redeemer, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among His sheep.

More Parallels of Our Choir in the Scriptures

The story of Helaman's 2000 Stripling Warriors has always been a favorite! Perhaps that is why I found such a significance in likening his faithful army to my choir of 364.

In Alma, Chapter 58, we read of how these faithful sons of the people of Ammon were preserved by the Lord as they stood fast in defense of their liberty and faith. This occurred about 62 B.C.

I see the similarities in the hand of the Lord aiding my choir as they practice, prepare, and pray. (And all occurring as we are nearing the Second Coming of our Savior.)

We've just completed the 2nd rehearsal for my little choir of 364 and we were blessed with amazing progress! My heart is full of such gratitude for this opportunity to hear, feel, and experience such beautiful music! 

Following, is our choir likened in Alma 58 and 59:

10 After our first rehearsal we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us from our burdens, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our voices, for the support of our choir.

 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

 12 And we did take courage with our small choir, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our musical parts, and to maintain our voices, and our faith, and our trust in the Lord to bless the cause of our songs of praise.

 13 And thus we did go forth with all our might to sing in the city of Tooele; and we did organize ourselves in car pools to take us to sing in the great Conference Center, which was near to the city.

38 Behold, this is now the second rehearsal.

39 And this three hundred and sixty four, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Tooele; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the influenza, insomuch that even one voice has not been affected.

 40 But behold, they have received many sore vocal cords; nevertheless they stand fast in their choir wherewith God has made them to sing; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong.

 41 And now, my beloved choir, may the Lord our God, who has redeemed us and gifted us to sing, keep you continually in his presence; yea, and may he favor this choir, even that ye may have success in obtaining the choirs in heaven to join with us for our support.

1 Now it came to pass after the second rehearsal the Choir managers over the people met and were exceedingly rejoiced because of the choir, yea, the exceeding success which the managers had in obtaining those choir members which were lost and confused.

 2 …Yea, and they had made a platform that the choir might all see their leader, in that part where she was, that they all might rejoice also.

 3 And it came to pass that she immediately rejoiced , desiring that her choir  should cause the sections to be gathered together to strengthen each other, insomuch that they also rejoiced over all that they had been so miraculously prospered in singing.

As wonderful as my little band of 364 sang for our 2nd rehearsal, we aren't quite ready for you to hear us.  

Therefore, here is The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing a most beautiful arrangement of "Redeemer of Israel" to uplift and inspire you for reading this post: 
 

 

Practical Choir Practice Tips

Practical Choir Practice Tips

for our

General Conference Choir Oct 2014

 

v Enhance your vocal tones – Sing with a dropped jaw and your corners in – not a wide-mouth expression which brings the jaw up.  Practice singing “WIDE” and listen to the difference when the tone is forward with your jaw lower and your mouth corners are moved inward.

 

v Shape your vowels – I prefer to use Spanish vowel sounds: 

ah – eh — ee — oh — ooo

 

         Practice singing “tall” vowels, not “wide” ones - 

“WAHD”  “WEHD”  “WEED”  “WOHD”  “WOOOD”

? – How do you sing ‘wide’?  Ans:   “WAH-EED” 
      

Remember, we’re in Utah, but we’re singing to the World

 

 

v Articulate the pronunciation of your words – Practice this now in your daily conversations and singing.

 

v Seek His Image in your Countenance – Practice having a pleasant, happy, smiling, and loving face as you keep Him at the forefront of your heart and mind.  Whether you have an actual “SMILE” or the slightest muscle lift in your cheeks – BOTH up-lift and lighten your eyes!  Even just barely moving your closed lips into “I’m thinking about smiling” position will enhance your face physically. Remember, to practice this at all times and in all places, especially, when you think no one is watching you!

 

 

Our Choir Likened in the Scriptures

I have realized that the Lord is leading me along through my daily scripture reading!

I have had spiritual promptings before but have never previously recognized such a daily parallel of my life and experiences inside the scriptures!  It's been so exciting that several times I've wanted to read ahead just so I could envision what the spirit was going to teach me; but, I decided to stick to my Chapter a Day reading in the Book of Mormon and read other scriptures or General Conference talks if I was feeling that I wanted more. 

Besides, it's been such a blessing, similar to when Errol and I were serving our mission together, to be reading the same Chapter in the Book of Mormon everyday. It makes our lives in sync with what we've read and studied in the scriptures. We feel more in tune and find that our conversations often are related to what inspired our hearts that day.

Today I want to share how our Choir was 'Likened' in the scriptures in my heart, mind, and thoughts as I was reading in Alma 57 of Helaman's band of 2000 stripling warriors.  I felt as if I was reading about my Choir of three hundred and sixty four!

The following is how I felt prompted as I was reading the actual scriptures, but in my mind's eye was internalizing these words:

Our Choir 'Likened' in the Scriptures (Alma 57)

  19 But behold, my little band of three hundred and sixty four sang most desperately; yea, they were firm before the world….
 
  20 …..behold, those three hundred and sixty four were firm and undaunted.
 
  21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to sing every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught and sang unto them.
 
  25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my three hundred and sixty four, who had fainted because of the loss of breath; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole choir, there was not one voice of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one voice among them who had not received much hoarseness.
 
  26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole choir, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren and sisters who were waiting in the wings to sing. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that their voices should be preserved by his marvelous power.
 
  27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are singers, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.


Likening our Choir in the Scriptures has been a most wondrous and uplifting daily journey!

Choir Singing the Songs of Zion

Hollie directing the Choir for La Musica y Las Palabras de Inspriacion

 Just getting ready for our General Conference Choir Experience!  I am feeling so blessed!

I've decided that I need to Blog about my upcoming experience in directing the 364 voice choir for the Sat Afternoon Session of General Conference. Our choir has been selected by Priesthood leaders from 9 Stakes in Tooele, Stansbury Park, and Grantsville, Utah. From the very moment of opening my letter inviting me to serve, I have felt overwhelmed, nervous, joyous, and blessed at the same time! The music of heaven has been written upon my heart and I want to begin this journey by sharing the following quotes:

                         

“Music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. After men receive the truth, songs of praise to Deity help to sanctify and cleanse their souls.”
-- Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (1966), 521

“Music can set an atmosphere of worship which invites [the] spirit of revelation, of testimony.”
-- President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22

I often hear music as I'm reading the scriptures

“When music is presented which, however appropriate for other occasions, does not fit the Sabbath, much is lost. . . . The Spirit does not ratify speech nor confirm music which lacks spiritual substance.”
-- President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22

“Those who choose, conduct, present, and accompany the music may influence the spirit of reverence in our meetings more than a speaker does.”
-- President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22                                    

“An organist who has the sensitivity to quietly play prelude music from the hymnbook tempers our feelings and causes us to go over in our minds the lyrics which teach the peaceable things of the kingdom. If we will listen, they are teaching the gospel, for the hymns of the Restoration are, in fact, a course in doctrine!”
-- President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22

Hollie accompanying on the organ in Madrid, Spain

“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.”
-- President Heber J. Grant, Improvement Era, Sept. 1940, 522

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

“Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls.”
-- President David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1945, 119

“The most effective preaching of the gospel is when it is accompanied by beautiful, appropriate music.”
-- President Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 181

“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, Nov. 1974, 67

“The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.”
-- Doctrine and Covenants 45:71

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
-- Psalm 69:30

“Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their homes with the sound of worthy music.”
-- “First Presidency Preface,” Hymns, 1985

Choirs often sing with the Angels!

“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

“We hope the hymnbook will take a prominent place among the scriptures and other religious books in our homes.”
-- “First Presidency Preface,” Hymns, 1985

I've been playing the entire Hymnbook since before my teen years

“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.”
-- “First Presidency Preface,” Hymns,

“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.”
-- President Heber J. Grant, Improvement Era, July 1901, 686

“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. . . . It [is] our privilege, yea, our blessing, to sing and . . . our songs should be sung in righteousness.”
-- President George Albert Smith, Church News, Feb. 16, 1946, 6

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.”
-- Psalm 66:1–2

Families can make the best music

“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.”
-- President Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (1982), 519

“The singing of hymns and the rendition of selections from the great sacred oratorios by ward choirs all enhance the spirit of worship.”
-- President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1987, 45

Who doesn't love the Hallelujah Chorus!

“I am comforted by the assurance that there will be beautiful music in heaven, and for that I am most grateful.”
-- President Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1982, 4

“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.”
-- President Boyd K. Packer, 1976 Devotional Speeches of the Year (1977), 267

“It really matters what you listen to. . . . Select music that will strengthen your spirit.”
-- Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 32

“There come to one's soul heavenly thoughts as he joins in heavenly expressions coupled with heavenly melody.”
-- Elder David B. Haight, Ensign, May 1983, 12

“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.”
-- Ephesians 5:18–20

Bert and Amanda DuPont were always filled with music

“My soul is always lifted up, and my spirit cheered and comforted, when I hear good music. I rejoice in it very much indeed.”
--President Joseph Fielding Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1969, 110

“Religious music is by far the greatest music of the ages. What is there to compare—in rhythmic beauty, poetic sublimity, and inspired teachings—with the Psalms of David?”
-- Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (1966), 520

“Listen to and sing the music of heaven.”
-- Elder William R. Bradford, Ensign, May 1976, 98

“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

It's impossible to say those words without hearing the melody in your mind

“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

“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
-- Psalm 100:2

“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, Oct. 1991, 26

Music motivates and uplifts our ideals

“When we rejoice in beautiful scenery, great art, and great music, it is but the flexing of instincts acquired in another place and another time.”
-- Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1984, 21



All of these musical quotes are found here.