Music and Heaven

The Sunbeam lesson I taught today was "Music Makes Me Happy." Whether it be instrumental or voice, music can calm fear, brighten sorrow, and dispel anger, and it serves as a way to praise and pray to Heavenly Father.

"There is no music in hell," said Brigham Young, "for all good music belongs to heaven." He also said, "If we could hear the music there is in heaven, it would overwhelm us mortals." We may not yet be able to hear heaven's music, but "never, indeed, do we feel so near heaven as when listening to the performance of some grand anthem, in which the angels themselves might fitly take their parts" (John Taylor).

Good music and grand anthems take form in Church-related and classical music. "If you do not have a taste for it [classical music], listen to it thoughtfully," counseled President Hinckley. "If you do not like it the first time, listen to it again and keep listening. It will be something like going to the temple. The more often you go, the more beautiful will be the experience."

Bring heavenly music more often into your home, especially Church music, for "there is a great deal lost in the homes of the people by not having the songs of Zion sung therein" (Heber J. Grant). Pay attention to the way you feel while you listen to the music. Enjoy the peace, happiness, love, and inspiration that fills your soul.

Challenge: Listen to the music playlist provided on this blog (scroll to the bottom of the page) or to any Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Primary, Church, EFY, or classical CD to feel near heaven.

Photo from saltlakecityutah.org