In the October 2024 general conference, Elder Patrick Kearon said:
“As we sing, are we joining together to praise our God and King no matter the quality of our voices, or are we just mumbling or not singing at all? Scripture records that ‘the song of the righteous is a prayer unto [God]’ in which His soul delights. So let’s sing! And praise Him!”
When we sing sacred music from our hearts and souls, we spark unique emotional and spiritual momentum in our lives—accessing His power in a visceral and transformative way. Here are two forms of power we can experience by singing the hymns at church.
1. The Power to Feel Greater Joy
Praising the Lord through song brings more joy into our lives.
“An Old Testament scripture bids us to ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise’ (Psalm 98:4),” President Russell M. Nelson explained. “In the Hebrew language, the meaning of this verse is to literally burst forth into song and to shout for joy. Contrast that spirit of enthusiasm with scenes we may see at church when some sing only passively and without a spirit of joy.”
Maybe one reason the Lord invites us to “sing praise” in this cheerful way is because it invites us to actively experience the Spirit on a tangible, emotional level. The hymns’ harmonies, tempos, and messages of hope can uplift our souls and fill our hearts with positive feelings like motivation, love, and unity.
And when we sing at our Sunday meetings, we can regularly experience that uplifting power—no matter our musical ability or range.
“In the Church, a musical number shouldn’t be a performance—it’s an offering we give to the Lord and to others to help them worship the Savior,” suggests Marshall MacDonald, music coordinator for the Church Educational System. “I might be pretty musical, but if I’m sitting next to a brother or sister who’s singing off key, but if they’re really singing and they’re worshipping, it doesn’t bug my musical heart and soul and brain at all.
“In fact, I think it’s touching to hear someone sing and offer their best offering, even if it’s a little bit out of tune. In many ways, it’s even more beautiful than if everything was perfect and just the same.”
As we focus on offering our best to the Lord—rather than comparing our talents or voices—we will find more joy in our sacred music efforts.
2. The Power to Feel United
Singing the hymns also leads to divine connection.
In today’s world, it’s rare for groups of people with different ages and backgrounds to gather and focus on one thing together. But that’s precisely what we do each week at church when we sing the hymns.
This musical presence is more than a symbolic action—music can also physically sync our heartbeats and breathing patterns. “[S]tudies have shown, from a scientific perspective, that when singers breathe, it’s like a meditation because they’re inhaling and exhaling at the same rate, and hearts will literally begin to beat as one,” explains Erica Glenn, Director of Choral Activities at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.
Collective worship in this form spiritually unites us, reminding us of our shared divine heritage and need for a Savior.
President Henry B. Eyring once shared his belief that hymns, specifically Christmas carols, can “remind us of our shouts of joy when we learned that we could come to this world and be given a Savior to redeem us.” He affirmed, “Someday we will sing those songs with the hosts of heaven.”
When we unite our voices in divine praise, we not only connect with each other but also with the Lord himself—“[tuning our] hearts to sing [His] grace.” And with this understanding, singing the hymns at church becomes much more than a ritual of mumbling lyrics or going through the motions.
As the Christian hymn writer Robert Lowry beautifully articulated: “No storm can shake my inmost calm / While to that refuge clinging; / Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, / How can I keep from singing?”
For more inspiring content on the power of sacred music, check out the articles below.
▶ Easy ways to help your ward start singing the new hymns
▶ What’s an ‘Eben-ezer’? The true meaning behind 2 ‘Come, Thou Fount’ lyrics to comfort any wandering heart
▶ BYU–Hawaii’s choral director uses her voice in a big way—from aiding refugees to building harmony in the Church
