The Power of Music

One of the things I have missed the most since not being able to attend church is the music. And especially being able to sing with our whole congregation. As I have noticed how much I have missed this part of worship I have tried to make it more a part of our Sabbath and just our daily life.

I wanted to share a few of my favorites lately and the different ways that music can affect us for the better.

1 – Music helps us to worship

Singing words to my Savior is one of the most beautiful ways to share my testimony and express my gratitude for all He has given me. I struggled to know which song to share here, but this one has been particularily powerful to me in shouting praises.

This song is originally part of the Lamb of God album by Rob Gardner, but I came to love it from his other album, We Must Sing, which is a collection of his favorites. In fact, the entire album is pretty remarkable and I wish I could share it all with you, but go check it out for yourself, here.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sW1fBP-Vx8E

2 – Music can be comforting

I have a few CD’s in my car just for this reason. Something about being able to drive with spiritual music has eased my worried heart more than a few times. Whether it is the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, a musical group or an individual artist, there is always power in music speak to my heart in the perfect way.

Here are two of my favorites right now:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJvZFUZ-c0I

https://www.youtube.com/embed/14214ubV7bA

3 – Music Brings the Spirit

As I have reflected on my faith more and more since the pandemic, I have found that music is one of the quickest ways to bring the spirit. When I am feeling lost or need help or even just need a moment with God, music is the fastest way to invite the Spirit of peace, calm, and hope into my home and my heart. It just changes the room.

I have always loved the soundtrack to the movie The Prince of Egypt. The instrumental pieces are particularly powerful for me. Here are two songs that I love.

I love the feeling that can change just with the music in the background as Moses encounters the burning bush. You can just feel his attitude change.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/14214ubV7bA

And I love the faith and conviction in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ds9y3lJGig

4 – Music can empower us

There really is power in music to ignite in us something; to be more, to do more and to look outside ourselves. It is almost as if it speaks to our spirits and calls us to action.

I love this rendition of “Amazing Grace” and “Fight Song” by The Piano Guys. They add such spirit, conviction, and power to this song. I can’t help but move my feet and want to get up and do something that really matters.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mOO5qRjVFLw

And it can’t help remind me of the powerful ending to the movie Amazing Grace, which tells the story of William Wilberforce and his fight to end slavery in Britain. I just love bagpipes!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/iluUVRiZObk

5 – Music teaches us

My calling right now is with the children and of the things I miss the most is hearing them sing such powerful doctrine each week in song. So much of how we teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ is done in song. And I can understand that, as many of the things I know and hold true, still ring in my head as fabulous primary songs.

One of my favorites lately has been this song, which teaches us that integrity is one of the most important Christian attributes. It makes me want to be better every day.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/3PlyzaKkzTQ

6 – Music Brings us to Christ

The song I want to end with stirs my heart to tears everytime. Especially when the children sing it. I can’t want to get the chance to hear them sing it again.

When we truly allow music to speak to us in word and in spirit, we come closer to Christ. And that is our goal again and again. With no formal church (at least for right now) our dedication to choose Jesus Christ again and again must be our own choice, made deliberately every single day.

This song helps remind me that every step I have made thus far has been to choose him, beginning with my baptism and with other covenants since then. It is my job as a witness for His goodness to choose him again and again. Every. Single. Day. Even when it’s hard.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xvBA0jCBLnU

We are in the last days right now, and I think many of us can feel the Second Coming approaching, with so many things on earth seeking to divide us, while heaven would unite us.

But when we stand with Christ, we will never fall. And while trials may still come, if we choose Him again, He will always come to our aid.

I know that. For He has shown me again, and again.

“Draw nigh unto me and I will draw night unto you.” – James 4:8

One of the most powerful ways we can seek him is through the powerful prayer that music can be.

“For my soul delighted 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.

We would love to hear from you what music has brought you closer to Christ. Share in the comments below or on the Instagram post that introduced this blog post.

And sing on!