15) CLASSICAL: If you don’t like classical music, can you and should you develop a taste for it? Is all classical music good?

Commentary Prophetic Statements First Presidency Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their homes with the sound of worthy music. Ours is a hymnbook for the home as well as for the meetinghouse. We hope the hymnbook will take a prominent place among […]

Read more
14) FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT: Can music promote the righteous fruits of the Spirit? Is there music which contradicts righteous fruits of the Spirit?

Commentary Prophetic Statements First Presidency First Presidency Preface to the LDS Hymn Book In addition to blessing us as a Church and family members, the hymns can greatly benefit us as individuals. Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and […]

Read more
20) REPETITION: Can repetition in music be dangerous?

Commentary Prophetic Statements Ezra Taft Benson Satan uses many tools to weaken and destroy the home and family and especially our young people. Today, as never before, it seems the devil’s thrust is directed at our youth. A letter from a concerned father, a well-informed teacher of youth, about the evil effects of some popular […]

Read more
01) AUXILLARY: If music has been approved by a Church auxiliary does that make it OK? Should we compromise on rock music to not offend or drive away some of the youth?

Commentary The prophet Nephi gave true counsel regarding where we should put our faith and trust. Nephi taught that we should not put our trust in the arm of flesh, but solely in the Lord . The word of the Lord in scripture, personal revelation and the word of inspired leaders should be our anchor. […]

Read more
11) INTENTIONS: If the intentions of the individual listening to music or dancing to music are good does this make the music OK?

Commentary Prophetic Statements David O. McKay I note you say that you enjoy what you characterize as ‘stomp dances,’ but you are willing to follow my counsel no matter what the answer. I congratulate you on this attitude. You also say that many people have no evil intentions in dancing these dances. May I give […]

Read more
04) SACRED ROCK: Should rock music accompany sacred words? Should gospel themes be tied to rock music in an attempt to attract youth?

Prophetic Statements First Presidency We feel it our responsibility to warn our people against the present-day wave of musical performances which are aimed at the destruction of sacred principles, which form the very foundation upon which we stand. One of these is the rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” We consider this musical a profane and […]

Read more
19) NATURE : How does nature respond to music? Has music been used to heal? What scientific studies have been done?

Commentary Prophetic Statements Brigham Young Music has a powerful influence on the behavior of God’s creations, even that of plants and animals. Brigham Young stated that “sweet music will actually tame the most malicious and venomous beasts, even when they have been stirred up to violent wrath, and make them docile and harmless as lambs.” […]

Read more
03) AMMORAL: Is it only the words that can make music bad? Is music amoral? Can music alone, independent of its lyrics be both good and bad? What influence does music have upon culture and society? Is there “perfect” music?

Questions Answered: Are all kinds of music good, but the types are just for different occasions? Is it only the words that can make music bad? Is music amoral? Can music alone, independent of its lyrics be both good and bad? What influence does music have upon culture and society? Is there “perfect” music? Prophetic […]

Read more
05) SATAN INSPIRED: Is good music inspired of the Lord? Is bad music inspired by Satan? Does Satan really have influence? Are there individuals who deliberately use music to promote wicked agendas?

Prophetic Statements First Presidency Through music, man’s ability to express himself extends beyond the limits of the spoken language in both subtlety and power. Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles […]

Read more
12) STROBES AND DARKNESS: Can darkness and strobe lights associated with rock music be destructive?

Commentary Prophetic Statements Ezra Taft Benson Attend dances where the music and the lighting and the dance movements are conducive to the Spirit. [1] [2] Youth leaders, are you holding aloft our standards, or have you compromised them for the lowest common denominator in order to appease the deceived or vile within the Church? Are […]

Read more
13) SENSUAL: Is music good if we “like” it? If one believes that music gives them a blessing does that mean that it is good for them? If music appeals to our sensual appetites is it good? Can music be addictive?

Questions Answered: Is music good if it is attractive to our physical desires, if we “like” it? If one believes that music gives them a blessing does that mean that it is good for them? If music appeals to our sensual appetites is it good? Can music be addictive? Commentary Prophetic Statements Harold B. Lee […]

Read more