Sacred music has the power to build testimonies. President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasized that “singing hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrines of the restored gospel.”
New hymns are regularly added to a new hymnbook, Hymns for the Home and Church, to clearly teach gospel doctrines and principles.
Sister Kathleen F. Kelly of the Primary General Advisory Council said sacred music invites the Spirit into any room. One of her favorite hymns, “Holy Places,” emphasizes how music can transform any environment into a sacred space.
“That beautiful hymn talks about how the home can be a sacred place, how my heart can be a sacred place, and not just the temple but the Primary,” she said. “I believe that when we invite the Savior into this room through music, it becomes a sacred space.”
Sister Kelly and Ryan Eggert, music manager for the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, shared their experiences and testimonies about the impact music has on individuals, especially children, in a Church News podcast interview. They discussed how important the Primary room is in building the testimonies of young members.
teach children through songs
“This is the first time the church has come and really supported, enlightened and reinforced what they learned at home,” Eggert said of the children learning in Primary. “And music is a special moment that is so clear and concise.”
Parents, teachers, and leaders can help teach children through music. Sister Kelly shared a variety of resources to help teachers feel more comfortable sharing the gospel with children.
The Scripture and Gospel Library app provides ample support.
This year, members are studying the Old Testament in “Come, Follow Me.” The manual states, “Sacred music is a powerful tool to help children learn about Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and the fundamental truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The instructions say that the words children sing will stay in their minds and hearts for the rest of their lives.
Sister Kelly added that encouraging children to share personal experiences, ask questions, do simple hand movements, participate in object classes, look at pictures and testify are powerful methods teachers can use.
In the Come, Follow Me manual and future manuals, every lesson or reference material will include music. Children may not understand reading manuals or scriptures, but they can easily understand music.
Eggert suggests that whenever religious gospel music is played, gospel is being taught.
“The Lord is telling us that whenever this song is playing in your home, the gospel is being taught in your home. It means the Spirit will increase in your home,” he said. “Your children will be more resistant to temptation. There will be unity among your family. Your heart will be touched.”
blessing of sacred music
The First Presidency’s preface to the current hymnbook lists promises to those who use sacred music.
“There are at least 20 promises listed by the First Presidency to those who use sacred music,” Eggert said. “I’ve worked a lot with youth, and one of my favorite quotes is, ‘It helps you resist temptation.’
Sister Kelly, a former mission leader, had all the missionaries share their favorite Primary songs and what they learned from them. One of the songs mentioned was “A Child’s Prayer”. The words of this song contain the power and teaching that many missionaries need.
Pray, He is there.
Speak, he lists.
you are his child.
His love embraces you now.
“Missionaries always get answers from songs,” Sister Kelly said. “When you go to Primary, you meet future missionaries. These little children are future missionaries, and they are learning gospel truths that will stay with them throughout their missions and their lives.”
Doctrine and Covenants 25:11-12 contains the counsel given to Emma Smith when she was instructed to select hymns for a new hymnbook. The Lord says, “The songs of the righteous are prayers to me, and a blessing will be upon their heads.”
Mr Eggert said: “As I read the research and look at the children from my personal experience to the research, I know the Lord is blessing these people and me as we continue to sing the songs of our hearts.”
