Come, Follow Me

Doctrine and Covenants 25

7 Ways to Enjoy Inspiring Music

“Make a selection of sacred hymns. … For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:11–12).

Photograph by David Green

Throughout time, music has been an important part of worship for disciples of Jesus Christ.

Many of the psalms in the Old Testament are songs of praise to the Lord. The New Testament records that Jesus and His Apostles, before heading to Gethsemane, sang a hymn together (see Matthew 26:30). And hymns enhance our worship during sacrament meetings today.

The ongoing creation of the new hymnbook is exciting, and we can look forward to more new hymns as the process goes forward. But hymns aren’t the only type of music that can inspire us. The Church’s Gospel Library and Sacred Music apps have many different kinds of music to experience, from traditional choral music to upbeat, contemporary music (you don’t have to be a teen to enjoy the Strive to Be albums!). Within these apps you can find positive, inspiring recordings, many of which include sheet music you can play or sing yourself.

Here are some ideas to help you incorporate inspiring music into your worship at home—even if you have no musical training:

• Listen to the recordings of the hymns and other inspiring songs throughout the week. These can be found in the Gospel Library or Sacred Music apps or in the Music Library on the Church website.

• Research the stories of the hymns and learn what inspired them.

• Sing the hymns and learn the different parts using the Interactive Sheet Music option on the Sacred Music app or on the Church website.

• Listen to the Tabernacle Choir or Strive to Be on your favorite listening platform (such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora).

• Learn to play the hymns and other inspiring songs on the piano or guitar using sheet music or chords included on the Gospel Library app or on the Church website.

• Study and ponder the lyrics of uplifting songs and hymns.

• Follow along with the lyrics while listening to performances by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square. Performances can be found on the choir’s YouTube channel.

Discussion

• When has your faith in Jesus Christ been strengthened through music?

• When have you been comforted by the lyrics of a song?

• How have you used inspiring music to enhance your gospel study?

• What music has helped you to connect with heaven?

The podcast series “History of Hymns” features the stories behind dozens of favorite Latter-day Saint hymns (ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media/collection/history-of-hymns-podcasts-archived).