It’s all around us, all the time. Whether we are walking into the grocery store, sitting at home, or going to a concert, music is a source of power and energy that has a major impact on our behavior and emotions.
As someone who has been studying music for the majority of his life, I’ve always been fascinated by this topic. Music is a universal language that speaks to everyone differently. Have you ever wondered how a song makes someone laugh? Or cry?
Recently I had the opportunity to attend a concert for The Piano Guys. If you haven’t heard of them or their music, I highly recommend them. The music they create and produce is amazing. They combine musical talent and pure creativity that makes a product full of unforgettable experiences.
Jon Schmidt, the frontman for the group, told a story before playing a song, about an email he received from a man, who when described, was thought to be a tough guy with a strong emotional wall that was impenetrable. However, after hearing them play one of their songs, he cried.
Stories like this amaze me. Music is more than just a mere production of sound waves, that when combined, created sounds that please our ears. Music speaks. It speaks to our souls, and teaches us about ourselves.
Here are inspiring words from an iconic composer:
“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.” -Ludwig van Beethoven
I believe that proper music has the power to bring the Spirit of God into our lives. I’m not just talking about hymns, or the music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I’ve had experiences with modern pop music even, that have affected me in this way.
Even from biblical times, music has brought people closer to God.
“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” -Exodus 15:20
“Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white lined, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets.” -2 Chronicles 5:12
“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;…And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” – Matthew 26:27, 30
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” -Colossians 3:16
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are counseled to listen to wholesome and uplifting music. This can range anywhere from church music to popular music. There is genuinely good music available to us that, when experienced, can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.
How has music impacted your life? Please feel free to share your stories in the comments section below this post.
The Latter-day Life 