Music

Spencer W. Kimball was the twelfth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While he served the church he suffered from throat cancer. I was a young girl, but I remember the small raspy voice of this great man as he struggled to deliver the messages of God.

President Kimball loved music; he both sang and played the piano. When the cancer took his voice his only complaint was his lack of ability to sing the hymns of the gospel.

“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?” Spencer W. Kimball

My father served in many leadership positions. He had no exposure to music in his formative years and has difficulty carrying a tune. He was accustomed to remaining silent during the hymns because of his lack of ability, until a visiting apostle reprimanded him. He made it clear that the Lord did not care about the quality of the voice, only the sincerity of the singer. If their leader did not sing, then why should his congregation? It wasn’t pretty, but my father began to sing.

Why does it matter? Why would a prophet of God, faced with terrible health issues, only mourn the loss of his ability to sing? Why would an apostle of God chastise my father for not singing off-key? Simply, music is one of the most pure forms of worship.

The scriptures make this point clear. The book of Psalms is a collection of songs of worship. Modern scripture reemphasizes the point.

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.
Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. D&C 25:12

If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. D&C 136:28

Here are the thoughts of several others.

Music is part of the language of the Gods. It has been given to man so he can sing praises to the Lord. It is a means of expressing, with poetic words and in melodious tunes, the deep feelings of rejoicing and thanksgiving found in the hearts of those who have testimonies of music is both in the voice and in the heart. Every true saint finds his heart full of songs of praise to his Maker. Those whose voices can sing forth the praises found in their hearts are twice blest. Bruce R. McConkie

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. Neal A. Maxwell

We are able to feel and learn very quickly through music, through art, through poetry some spiritual things that we would other-wise learn very slowly. Boyd K. Packer

There come to one’s soul heavenly thoughts as he joins in heavenly expressions coupled with heavenly melody. David B. Haight

Put it together and you have a clear message of the importance of music in learning the gospel of Jesus Christ. It speaks to our hearts because it is part of God’s nature within us. It opens our minds to the workings of the Spirit. We celebrate and recognize the beauty and blessings of life when we surround ourselves with good music.

The scriptures spell it out for us, and great men reiterate it. Music matters to God.

One of my favorite Hymns in the LDS Hymn Book was written by a Frenchman in the middle of the dark ages. Born in the year 1091, Bernard of Clairvaux lived more than a thousand years after the great apostasy, which resulted in the removal of the priesthood from the Earth. (This meant the authority to act in God's name was no longer here. This meant that the Lord's Church was no longer here in its fullness.)

He lived in a time where very few had access to the Holy Scriptures, many of the doctrines of Christ had been polluted, and religion was more about power, then worship. Yet, in the midst of that this Frenchman, who was also a monk, wrote a 192-line poem titled "Dulcis Jesus Memorial" ("Joyful Rhythm on the Name of Jesus") which was later translated by Edward Caswall in the early 1800's. It was from this poem that the hymn "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee" came to us.

Every time I hear the words,

"Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see
And in thy presence rest." Verse 1 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

I find myself, like Alma in the Book of Mormon taught us to do in Alma Chapter 5, looking forward to the day when I will Stand before my Lord and Savior to give an accounting of my days. I know that if I can but live so that when that time comes I will have the power to look up, that I will see in his eyes such love, and mercy that my heart will be filled with a sweetness beyond anything I can yet imagine.

"Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind!

O hope of ev'ry contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!" Verses 2 & 3 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

There is no sweeter name that can pass through the lips of mankind then that of our Savior, for it is through Him that we are able to overcome sin and death in order to be brought back into the presence of God. I am again reminded of the words of the prophet Alma when He spoke of the Savior's mission on Earth and what he did that he might succor (or run to) His people to heal them, and in the process bring them peace and joy.

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:11-12

The Lord is indeed most kind, understanding, and merciful in his actions toward the children of men. He teaches us how to love and be loved.

"Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
And thru eternity." Verse 4 of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Hymn 141Text: Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878

I await the day when I may become a joint heir with Christ in the kingdom of my Father in Heaven. This is the mark which I keep my eyes upon to guide me in the choices I make in my life. This beautiful Hymn is one way I help myself to keep my eye on the mark of Eternal Life. Whenever I hear the words or even the music (which always brings the words to my mind) I find my Faith and Testimony strengthen and am then able to face what lies before. For this I shall ever be thankful to Bernard of Clairvaux, and I look to the day when I shall see him face to face and express my gratitude for the influence his sweet testimony has had in my life.

I ran across a beautiful story about the power of music the other day. I was looking for something appropriate to post on Memorial Day, because one of the best ways I know of to express strong emotions and bring peace is through music. With this account I read the truth of my thoughts.

The writer speaks of being a young man during a period of war and political unrest in his home land of El Salvador. Shortly after his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the tensions and conflict became serious enough that many, including the LDS missionaries, were leaving the country. To the saints left in the area, this marked a great loss. The missionaries and the gospel of Jesus Christ were a source of peace and joy in an otherwise very sad world.

Rather than giving into the grief and anger surrounding them, many of the young people in the area began to form small groups to sing the songs of the gospel. Their hope was to replace some of the spirit of goodness and hope that had left their home land. They came together and sang on the street corners and they introduced many others to the power of gospel peace through their music.

As things got even worse for these people, the writer recalls the fear of huddling with a mattress over them as bombs fell around. Again, they turned to the hymns of the church to carry them through these moments of ultimate fear. They sang, they poured out their hearts in prayers of song, and waited for the violence to end.

They sang hymns such as:
Come, Come, Ye Saints (Hymns, no. 30)
How Firm a Foundation (no. 85)
Joseph Smith’s First Prayer& (no. 26)
High on the Mountain Top (no. 5)
O My Father (no. 292)
I Stand All Amazed (no. 193)

Why these hymns? Because of the message they carry. There was a message of God’s love, a message of the Savior’s love, and a message of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were messages of hope and faith letting everyone in the land that though it might seem God is ignoring their pain and needs know that He is still among them, sharing in their suffering and holding them up whenever He can.

It’s a message of hope for all of us. Even in the darkest times, music and songs with a theme of hope and faith can do more than we know to lift and succor us.

A few years ago while serving a full-time Mission in North Carolina, I received a phone call. We were having a mission conference in a week. Elder Hilbig a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy was coming with his wife to speak to us. The phone call was from another sister missionary serving on the other side of our mission.

We had never served together, though we had been in the same zone before. I was shocked when she told me why she was calling. Our mission President's wife requested this other sister and me to give a musical number in the upcoming conference.

I had heard this sister sing before, so I knew our voices would harmonize. However, since we were serving so far apart, we were told that we would have to practice on our own, and then make sure to arrive at the mission conference early and run through it once or twice together before we started.

When I was told what hymn we were to sing (requested by my Mission President's wife) I didn't recognize the name. So after finishing the call I went in search of my personal hymn book. I was hoping that once I saw it that I would remember how it went, for I knew most of the hymns. When I found the hymn mentioned, I had to accept the fact that I had never heard it before.

Even worse, I had no access to a piano to learn the hymn which I was to sing before my entire mission in a week's time. I started panicking, not knowing what to do, when my companion suggested I pray. As I poured my heart out to the Lord, I received my answer.

Over the next week I learned the hymn note by note. I did this by looking at the given note in the hymn and finding another hymn I knew by heart that had that corresponding note. It was a painstaking process that took up every spare moment of my time. I worked on it and prayed morning to night, as I went about my regular mission work. During that time I came to love that hymn; for as I leaned it note by note, I came to know it word by word. Together the words and music touched my soul, as the spirit testified that the message was true.

In the end I did learn the hymn. I was able to arrive at the church early enough to run through the duet twice, before the meeting began, with my fellow missionary. When the time finally came, and we began to sing, I was aware of how our voices perfectly harmonized. At the same time I was caught up in feeling the spirit carry and confirm the message we sang to the hearts of all who were in attendance.

Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire Hymn # 145
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast..."

Text: James Montgomery, 1771–1854
Music: George Careless, 1839–1932

Years ago I experienced a Sacrament meeting that I will never forget. After partaking of the sacrament, my Bishop arose and addressed us. He had us all open our Hymn books to the First Presidency preface to the hymns, where he read,

"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.

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.

We hope to see an increase of hymn singing in our congregations. We encourage all members, whether musically inclined or not, to join with us in singing the hymns. We hope leaders, teachers, and members who are called on to speak will turn often to the hymn book to find sermons presented powerfully and beautifully in verse." First Presidency Preface to Hymns

My Bishop testified that he knew that this was true. He testified of the power of the hymns and their importance. He then shared his concern for us as a ward. He said that he had noticed that during the hymns many of us were not singing. We were not even paying attention to the hymns. Because of this, the spirit was not as strong in our meetings as it could and should be.

He continued by saying that this concerned him greatly. So much so that he had been praying to know what he could do, to change this. He realized that some did not sing because they didn't have good singing voices. To this he responded that he didn't have one either, but that didn't matter. For the Lord had said that the song of a heart is a prayer unto him. (D&C 25:12) The Lord never said it had to be a song of the throat.

However, my Bishop said that he knew that this wasn't why most of us weren't singing. He said that the cause of many not joining in singing was because we didn't have a real testimony of the hymns yet.

He said that after much prayer he was inspired to hold a musical testimony meeting. He told us that for the rest of our sacrament block, he would open the floor for any of us to come forth and share a hymn (and a specific verse), testify why that hymn had great meaning to us, and then the congregation (and he meant all of us) would sing that verse.

As we did so, the spirit of the Lord came so powerfully into the chapel where we sang that no one left unaffected. There were tears in many a person's eyes as hearts were touched, minds were taught, and spirits were edified.

Though I had always enjoyed the hymns before, I grew to love them that day. Now whenever I have to opportunity to sing the hymns I pay close attention to the words as well as the music. As I do so, I feel the spirit rush over me confirming the truthfulness of the message that hymn bears. I am humbled, and softened, and find that I am then ready to receive.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized in April 1830. The Book of Mormon had been printed and the gospel was being to travel faster than ever. As the church grew, Joseph Smith continued to receive revelations to help him make sure the church he organized, was the one Jesus Christ wanted it to be: His church. Many of these revelations were written down and would later be compiled into what is now the Doctrine and Covenants. One of my favorite revelations was specifically given for Joseph’s wife, Emma Smith.

It’s a beautiful message from a loving Heavenly Father. It also contains an assignment just for her

“11 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.
12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” D&C 25:11–12

I find it wonderful that even in its infant stages; the Lord thought it was important for His restored church to have music. I’m grateful that He loves music as much as I do. It’s a part of me that recognizes the love and beauty of God’s promises.

Emma Smith worked for the next five years gathering a collection of hymns. It wasn’t easy, not because there was a lack of good music available, but because her life over the next few years would be very difficult. Above all else, Emma was a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother. She let nothing take the place of her first and most important duties. However, just in fulfilling these roles her life would be filled with many trials. In the spring of 1831 Emma gave birth to twins who would live only a few short hours. To help ease her grief, Emma and Joseph adopted two orphaned twins. While this was a great blessing, it was also the source of a new trial. Shortly after a malicious attack on their home, one of these sweet infants would die from exposure.

I like to think that the Lord gave her this commission not because she needed something to do, but because He knew and loved her. I imagine that part of the reason Emma received this assignment was because she would need it. At least for me, music is a sustaining and uplifting element that can bring comfort and express joy as needed. Perhaps it was a way for the Lord to reach out to her in the coming years, when her heart would need Him most.

She did have a lot of help along the way and eventually the first LDS hymnal was published in August, 1835. This tiny book measuring 3 by 4 ½ inches and containing 90 hymn texts was entitled “A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints”. More than 30 of these hymns would be original works specifically for and by LDS members such as Parley P. Pratt, Eliza R. Snow and William W. Phelps. This volume of hymns contained only words, because it was the practice at the time to sing the hymns to already familiar tunes rather than assigning their own melodies. This would not happen for the LDS hymnal until 1857.

Our hymnal today is very different from Emma’s first labor of love on our behalf, but it still touches on this history. Twenty-five of the hymns currently within our hymnal were part of Emma’s original selections. Among these are:

Redeemer of Israel
How Firm a Foundation
The Spirit of God
Gently Raise the Sacred Strain

Emma was an amazing woman but if for nothing else, I’m truly grateful for her work collecting music that the saints could sing praises to God with.

Of all the places I could find myself on Sunday, one of my favorites is the children’s Primary. Now, don’t get me wrong. Primary is not exactly the most relaxing way to spend the Sabbath, but for all their energy and antics there is something pure and beautiful about a child learning the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You see, the times I spend in the Primary are the times that I hear the gospel in its simplest and pure form. They don’t question, they just see Jesus Christ and love Him. Before all of our analytical brains of adulthood get to it, the gospel is actually very simple and straight forward. It’s all about loving and being good.

If you want to hear the clearest testimonies of what the gospel and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about listen to the songs those sweet children sing. When children sing it comes from the heart, they don’t worry about whether they’re singing the right note (which means they usually do), or even if they know all the words, they simply look for the joy in the experience and show their love of the gospel in their energetic voices. When the Savior asks each of us to become like a little child I think of Primary children singing. Becoming like a little child means humility, love and the pure faith to sing with all your heart.

Many years ago I had a poster. It was one among many that followed the then popular “All I Ever Needed to Know” theme. This one talked about the Primary Songs. Now I can’t recall all of the titles it listed. But I still carry the testimonies I’ve gained through my own experiences in Primary as a child and those that have been flown into the deepest parts of my heart and soul on the wings of children singing.

Here are some of my favorites.

I Am a Child of God
My Heavenly Father Loves Me
I Feel My Savior’s Love
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus
Dare to Do Right
Kindness Begins with Me
“Give”, Said the Little Stream
Families Can Be Together Forever

Today, my heart is singing “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today.” I live in a part of the country that is very reluctant to give up it’s hold on winter. Some people like that, but I don’t happen to be one of them. Yes, winter carries its own blessings. My favorites are warm fuzzy socks and hot chocolate. But my heart yearns for sunshine, warmth and the beauty of growing things.

It was a joyful occasion for me on Saturday when two of my children presented me with the first flowers from my garden that had triumphed over winter’s cold. It brought a spirit of hope and joy to my day. Just from two tiny little flowers.

Now the weather here is giving in to strength of winter once again. The days are now gray and sadder again, there have been no more flowers. That’s why my heart is singing. I have seen the flowers, and I know that they will soon return again.

This hymn has four verses. Each is dedicated to an aspect of happiness that we can bring into our lives and souls. I’m looking eagerly for each of these.

Sunshine

Music

Springtime

Gladness

Why are these called out? Because they are very basic, very essential ways to bring joy into our lives.

We need more sunshine and light in our lives, given by the source of all light and truth Jesus Christ.

We need more uplifting music that touches the places in our spirit where we feel things most deeply.

We need hope for beauty and renewal through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

We need gladness and gratitude for the blessings of life.

Four simple things. On paper they don’t seem much bigger than the tiny flowers my children brought me, but their impact is lasting. Do you need a lift today, a little touch of sunshine, a little hope? Join me in singing – There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today!

We are settling into the new 2008, and this is the time of year when most people who have set resolutions for the new year are facing the difficulty of sustaining necessary changes. I am reminded of a poem by Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892), which we sing as a hymn in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, usually around New Year’s Day:

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light.
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old; ring in the new.
Ring, happy bells, across the snow.
The year is going; let him go.
Ring out the false; ring in the true.
The year is going; let him go.
Ring out the false; ring in the true.

Ring in the valiant men and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
Ring out the darkness of the land;
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Ring out the darkness of the land;
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

(Hymns 1985)

Tennyson was writing, at least on one level, about a dear friend who had passed away. For me, though, this text stands as a reminder about putting off the natural man. Paul taught the Corinthians:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The concept of the natural man refers to our carnal nature, and to make and keep good resolutions teaches us to control the natural man in ourselves. As a righteous king in the Book of Mormon taught:

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3:19)

Only through Jesus Christ can we be freed from the tendencies of the natural man. This beautiful hymn reminds me to let the natural man die within me, and to “ring in the Christ that is to be.” As you continue to pursue or recommit to your resolutions, remember that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the enabling power to change both hearts and actions. He is the true way to "ring out the darkness of the land."

MP3 of Ring Out, Wild Bells

Every time I hear the hymn A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, I cannot help but think of the prophet Joseph Smith. Shortly before he was killed, his good friend and future President of the Church John Taylor sang this hymn for him.

On the afternoon of June 27, 1844, the little group of brethren sat silent and disconsolate in the jail. One of the men asked Elder Taylor, who had a rich tenor voice, to sing to them. Soon his voice was raised: “A poor wayfaring Man of grief hath often crossed me on my way, who sued so humbly for relief that I could never answer nay.” Elder Taylor recollected that the hymn “was very much in accordance with our feelings at the time . . .” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith)

In an uncommon hymn form, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief tells a chronological story based on a well-known passage of scripture.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)

Through the eyes of an anonymous narrator, we see a man of sorrows whose path seems to cross ours at moments of greatest need. We see him starving, thirsty, in a storm, wounded by robbers, and finally imprisoned and sentenced to death. In each situation, the narrator picks up the man and makes great sacrifices to meet his needs. The final verses are the touching climax and moral of this song-story:

In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
(Hymns 1985)

So many great hymns capture the joy and triumph of the Gospel, but very few address the topic of Christian charity with such compassion and clarity. Few people understood the sentiments of A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief as well as Joseph Smith. From the time of his First Vision, he was persecuted for the name of Christ and the doctrine which Jesus Himself had given him. He endured beatings, tarring and feathering, and was driven across the United States with his followers. Like other servants of the Lord, he was not perfect, but he gave all he had and all he was to do the will of God. At the age of 38, his life was taken at the hands of a mob.

I occasionally wonder whether I would be able to give as he gave in the cause of Christ. However, when I hear A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, I realize that the small deeds of love near the beginning of the song were necessary steps for the narrator to become willing to give his life to save another. As we do small good in the world, we become accustomed to giving of ourselves so that when greater needs arise, we are able to give what is required. And every act of kindness toward our fellow men is an expression of love for the Lord.

MP3 of A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

Mormons love music. We love to sing. We love to dance. For me, personally, music brings great joy to my heart. When I am sad, music can life my spirits. When I'm in the mood to clean, music can make me motivated. When I want to the feel the Spirit of God close to me, music fills my heart, spirit and mind until everything in me is tuned to the heavens.

At the very beginning of the Mormon hymnbook we read:

Three months after the Church was organized, the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, instructed Joseph's wife, Emma, to make a selection of sacred hymns for the Church: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yeah, 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) (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985)

There is no question, when a hymn is sung, whether aloud or in your mind, the blessings of peace, love, hope and light are poured upon you. Our hymnbook is filled with 341 hymns, some traditional, some from centuries ago, some new, but all invite the Spirit of God into your life, home or meeting.

Some of my favorites are How Great Thou Art, Rock of Ages, I Need Thee Every Hour, Spirit of God, Praise to the Man, In Humility Our Savior, Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love . . . oh, I could go on and on and on . . . really.

In 1985, The First Presidency (prophet and two apostles) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included this with the introduction written at the beginning of the hymnbook:

Hymns can also help us withstand the temptations of the adversary. We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then, if unworthy thoughts enter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself, crowding the evil with the good. (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985)

My favorite hymn to sing times like that is "I Need Thee Every Hour," because I really, really need the Lord at a time like that to my mind clean and pure.

Music touches every level of our souls, to heal, to uplift, to instruct and enlighten, the precise purpose of the hymns of God. I invite you to visit the Music section of the LDS Church's website and browse for yourself the music which has been sung in ages past and in every Mormon home and Church to this day..