Other Quotes on Music and Hymns
 

"There is no better viewpoint to study the development of the reactions of Christian belief
than that offered by hymnody."
unknown

"Music is the art of the prophets; the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul. It is one of the most magnificent presents God has given us... I always loved music; whoso has skill in this are is of good temperament, fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools. A schoolmaster ought to have skill in music, or I would not regard him, neither should we ordain young men as preachers, unless they have been well exercised in music."
Martin Luther

"A good hymn should be like a good prayer - simple, real, earnest, and reverent"
William Walsham How, writer of "We Give Thee but Thine Own"

Our doctrine is memorized when we memorize our hymns.
– Hugh Pinnock, October 1985 Ensign, p.13

Music is both in the voice and in the heart. Every true saint finds his heart full of songs of praise to his Maker. Those whose voices can sing forth the praises found in their hearts are twice blessed.
– Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p.553

"Hymns are the bookends that hold our worship services together, adding to and strengthening the messages given in the addresses and in the revelations we receive during the service."
paraphrase of Elder Jay Jensen at a recent stake conference

"The principle virtue of music is as a means of communication with God."
Igor Stravinsky, Russian-born U.S. composer

"Hymns have endured through centuries with timeless messages set to simple melodies that have a universal power to influence people... The stability and appeal of the humble hymn is for us a source of strength in a world of crumbling traditions." ... "I know that the Lord can speak to us through the hymns, both to our minds and to our hearts to lead us to good works." (Michael Moody, "A Celebration of Latter-day Saint Hymns", Temple Square Concert Series, Sept 16, 2005. This concert marked Brother Moody's retirement as chairman of the LDS Church Music Committee)

It is said that at the beginning of a sermon, the great Reformer Martin Luther held up a Bible and said:
"This is the Gospel."
And then in the other hand he held up a hymnal and continued:
"And this is how we remember it."
Anon.

"We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer."
President J. Reuben Clark, JR, former member of the LDS First Presidency

"Music conveys our emotions better than any spoken word."
George Dyer, opera signer and LDS recording artist

"Children retain 10% of what is told to them,
40% if there is a visual aid,
60% if there is a story,
and 90% if they sing it."
Elder Boyd K. Packer, LDS Apostle and lifelong Educator

"Mormons attend public worship not to have their cultural level raised but to have their faith deepened and strengthened. If their hymns can inspire rank-and-file Mormons to go out and worship week by week and put their faith into practice, might not editorial committees of other denominations profitably take note?"
(1986 Hymn Society review of the 1985 LDS Hymnal by Hugh McKellar)

"Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song.
There are many wonderful songs. Sing them through."
(President Spencer W. Kimball, New Zealand Area Conference Report, 20-22 Feb. 1976, p. 27.)

"Can anyone doubt that good music is godly
or that there can be something of the essence of heaven in great art?"
President Gordon B. Hinkley

"I thank the Lord with all my soul, and bless my teachers, that I was taught these gospel songs in my youth. All through the years they have been flowing through my mind. I have hummed and sung them as I have ridden over interminable miles... By their messages I have been inspired to reach heavenward."
Elder Marion G. Romney (FRIEND Magazine, September 1971)

"We sing, “Let us oft speak kind words to each other at home or where’er we may be”. Hymns teach many gospel sermons and invite the Holy Ghost to bear witness of the doctrines and truths being taught, as well as bring comfort and cheer. We can use them in the home to teach our children and to reinforce lessons taught by other means. Music is so powerful an influence that songs learned in childhood stay in the mind and heart for a lifetime; as individuals or as a family, we may find it worthwhile at times to ponder the words of some of the hymns and Primary songs." (Ronald L. Knighton, Sept 1999 ENSIGN Magazine)

“You can change by changing your environment. Let go of lower things, and reach for higher.
Surround yourself with the best in books, music, art, and people” President Spencer W. Kimball

“Through your music, you will be able to rise above the physical into the spiritual. You will be watched over and kept, and angels will attend you and be with you.” (President James E. Faust's advise to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they were readying for a concert tour; October 1998 ENSIGN Magazine)

"We are able to feel and learn very quickly through music some spiritual things that we would otherswise learn very slowly."
Elder Boyd K. Packer

"Good music, especially sacred music, makes spiritual things more understandable. It is edifying and conductive to understanding. It prepares emotions for response to promptings of the Holy Spirit."
Elder Richard G. Scott

"The music in my heart I bore
Long after it was heard no more."
William Wordsworth

"Music opens doors to other lands and cultures."
Judith Wirthlin Parker

"Music is a rich gift of God, and it is in the world to make the lives of His children happier and better."
Clara Watkins McMaster

“Music has the beauty and power to heal and comfort.”
Deanna Edwards, LDS artist (February 1994 ENSIGN Magazine)

“Our celebration of music is one way of expressing our testimony of God’s love for us. Music is such a heavenly expression, a language that speaks directly to the heart, transcending cultural and social barriers. It is a pure means of sharing love of beauty.” Roger Drinkall

"Music has a very powerful and wonderful influence in establishing feelings and moods that can lift and elevate your thoughts and your actions. But because it is so powerful, it is cleverly used by the adversary to stimulate your thoughts, feelings, and moods, to pollute and poison your mind and cause you to do things you would not otherwise consider doing."
Ardeth G. Kapp