“Sometimes ...we get nearer to the Lord through music than
perhaps through any other thing than prayer.”
~ President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
“Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the
mind and spirit of man.”
~ President Boyd K. Packer
In what ways do you use music in your personal worship?
How do you use music to help others feel the Lord’s influence?
I have found that music has a tremendous impact on the soul. It can enlighten one’s mind to be open to fill the spirit and be prepared to receive promptings and enlightenment or it can dull the senses where there is nothing to be felt but carnal desires and selfishness. I am amazed at how wide and powerful the pendulum swings when it comes to music and the influence it has. I remember the first time I experienced how music can open my mind for learning and growth. I was in college and studying 7 courses at the time. Two of my courses were through independent studies (focus in accounting), a subject which I struggled in greatly. I was not grasping the concepts at all and I remember whenever I put on the Mormon Tabernacle choir my mind would open up and I was able to understand what was being taught and apply it. It was so exciting for me. My confidence grew as my knowledge in the subject grew and I became more excited to learn the truths that are out in the world. That was an amazing experience for me to learn what I bring into my life can have great impact on my ability to learn.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Elin! I have always been involved with music. I sang in a children's choir and we performed all over the Bay Area. I have been in ward choirs since a teen and tried to attend choir whenever I could. I love choir before church because it really brings the focus toward the Savior and puts me in the right frame of mind. I have been working on ways to teach the hymns and primary songs to my kids. Some love them, some hate them, so it is a delicate balance in our house. I fully agree with you about how Satan uses music to dull and drowned out promptings and bring out the carnal man. It is getting really bad since the iTunes and other music software. I didn't realize how easy it is to access music with explicit content....so so many bands record double, one for radio and one for personal use. It is reallly sad when my 1st grader comes home and talks about the song,"I'm sexy and I know it." She was telling her teachings it is a "bad" word, but I was trying to explain that it is inappropriate for a 6 year old! Yikes, we have to be soooo careful.
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