Worship Through Music3 Nephi 4:31

3 Nephi 4:31

Worship Through Music

What

31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and apraising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.

Why

they won the war against the Gadianton Robbers. Those who did not surrender were slain and their leader hanged. They were so happy and grateful to the Lord for his protection that they burst out in song to praise the Lord.

Pattern

Thanksgiving

See also Ingratitude ; Praise ; Prayer ; Rejoice ; Thank ; Thankful ; Thanks

• Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: Ps. 147:7 .

• live in thanksgiving daily: Alma 34:38 .

• he who receiveth all things with thankfulness: D&C 78:19 .

• praise the Lord with … prayer of praise and thanksgiving: D&C 136:28 .

 28 If thou art amerry, bpraise the Lord with singing, with music, with cdancing, and with a dprayer of praise and ethanksgiving.

Singing, Sing, Sang, Sung

See also Music ; Rejoice

• Then sang Moses: Ex. 15:1 . ( Deut. 32:44 ; Rev. 15:3 . )
• Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord: Ex. 15:21 .

• Sing unto the Lord, all the earth: 1 Chr. 16:23 . ( Ps. 96:1 . )
• they sang together by course in praising: Ezra 3:11 .
• When the morning stars sang together: Job 38:7 . ( D&C 128:23 . )
• sing praise to the name of the Lord: Ps. 7:17 . ( Ps. 9:2, 11 ; Ps. 13:6 ; Ps. 18:49 ;Ps. 21:13 ; Ps. 33:2 ; Ps. 47:6, 7 ; Ps. 57:7–10 ; Ps. 59:16 ; Ps. 61:8 ; Ps. 66:2 ; Ps. 67:4 ; Ps. 71:22 ; Ps. 75:9 ; Ps. 106:12 ; Ps. 108:1 ; Ps. 135:3 ; Ps. 146:2 ; Ps. 147:1, 7 ; Ps. 150:1–6 ; James 5:13 ; D&C 138:24 . )

• come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: Isa. 35:10 . ( Isa. 51:11 ; 2 Ne. 8:11 ; D&C 45:71 ; D&C 66:11 ; D&C 101:18 ; D&C 109:39 ; D&C 133:33 ; Moses 7:53 . )
• break forth into singing: Isa. 44:23 . ( 3 Ne. 22:1 . )

• had sung an hymn, they went out: Matt. 26:30 . ( Mark 14:26 . )
• Paul and Silas … sang praises unto God: Acts 16:25 .
• Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns: Eph. 5:19 . ( Col. 3:16 . )
• Is any merry? let him sing psalms: James 5:13 .

• join the choirs above in singing: Mosiah 2:28 .
• with the voice together shall they sing: Mosiah 12:22 .
• did gather themselves together to sing: Mosiah 20:1 .
• sing the song of redeeming love: Alma 5:26 . ( Alma 26:13 . )
• Holy Ghost led them … to sing: Moro. 6:9 .

• song of the righteous is a prayer unto me: D&C 25:12 .
• Let the earth break forth into singing: D&C 128:22 .
• sing the song of the Lamb: D&C 133:56 .

Christ

It is Him we praise when we sing.

Conference

OCTOBER 1994 | Worship through Music

Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The First Presidency has said:

“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end” (Hymns, 1985, p. ix).

The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. I wonder if we are making enough use of this heaven-sent resource in our meetings, in our classes, and in our homes.

The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel. Elder Stephen D. Nadauld captured this unique strength in some lines he wrote and shared in a General Authority meeting:

If I would teach with power

The doctrine and the plan,

I’d wish for gentle music

To prepare the soul of man.

And then to press forever

These truths upon his mind,

We’d sing the hymns of Zion,

With their messages sublime.

The scriptures contain many affirmations that hymn singing is a glorious way to worship. Before the Savior and his Apostles left the upper room where they had the sublime experience of the Last Supper, they sang a hymn. After their hymn, the Savior led them to the Mount of Olives (see Matt. 26:30).

The Apostle Paul advised the Colossians that they should be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16; see also Alma 26:8).

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:11–12).

In a revelation given through another prophet a generation later, the Lord commanded his people to “praise the Lord with singing, [and] with music” (D&C 136:28).

This direction to praise the Lord with singing is not limited to large meetings. When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times, the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn. Elder Russell M. Nelson plays the organ accompaniment. The First Presidency, who conduct these meetings, rotate the privilege of selecting the opening song. Most of us record the date each hymn is sung. According to my records, the opening song most frequently sung during the decade of my participation has been “I Need Thee Every Hour” (Hymns, 1985, no. 98). Picture the spiritual impact of a handful of the Lord’s servants singing that song before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities.

The veil is very thin in the temples, especially when we join in 

worshipping through music. At temple dedications I have seen more tears of joy elicited by music than by the spoken word. I have read accounts of angelic choirs joining in these hymns of praise, and I think I have experienced this on several occasions. In dedicatory sessions featuring beautiful and well-trained choirs of about thirty voices, there are times when I have heard what seemed to be ten times thirty voices praising God with a quality and intensity of feeling that can be experienced but not explained. Some who are listening today will know what I mean.

Apply

From Elder Oaks

We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and learn our doctrine. We need to make better use of our hymns in missionary teaching, in gospel classes, in quorum meetings, in home evenings, and in home teaching visits. Music is an effective way to worship our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We should use hymns when we need spiritual strength and inspiration.

We who have “felt to sing the song of redeeming love” (Alma 5:26) need to keep singing that we may draw ever closer to him who has inspired sacred music and commanded that it be used to worship him.

[We also need to use music/the hymns often to praise God for our blessings.]

Hymns

tis Sweet to Sing of Matchless Love

Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice (#73)

• Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (#72)

Sing Praise to Him (#70)

• Sing We Now at Parting (#156)
• Children

Hum Your Favorite Hymn (#152)

Lift Up Your Voice and Sing (#252)

Keep The Faith- 3 Nephi 2:2

3 Nephi 2:2

Keep the Faith

What

 2 aImagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and bdeceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a cfoolish and a vain thing.

Why

Satan’s purpose was to lead them away from Christ.

Pattern

Heb. 3:12

12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Mark 7:20–23

20  And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Prov. 11:18

18  The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Matt. 24:5

5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

1 Cor. 1:23 (23–25)

23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Alma 30:13 (12–18)

12  And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach, saying:
13  O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:8

8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are gi

Doctrine and Covenants 52:14

14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceivingthe nations—

Christ

“-insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away  to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a cfoolish and a vain thing. “

Conference

APRIL 2016 | Opposition in All Things

By Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One of the best explanations of the planned role of opposition is in the Book of Mormon, in Lehi’s teachings to his son Jacob.

“It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, … righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad” (2 Nephi 2:11; see also verse 15).

As a result, Lehi continued, “the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other” (verse 16). Similarly, in modern revelation the Lord declares, “It must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves” (D&C 29:39).

Opposition was necessary in the Garden of Eden. If Adam and Eve had not made the choice that introduced mortality, Lehi taught, “they would have remained in a state of innocence, … doing no good, for they knew no sin” (2 Nephi 2:23).

From the beginning, agency and opposition were central to the Father’s plan and to Satan’s rebellion against it. As the Lord revealed to Moses, in the council of heaven Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3). That destruction was inherent in the terms of Satan’s offer. He came before the Father and said, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1).

Thus, Satan proposed to carry out the Father’s plan in a way that would prevent the accomplishment of the Father’s purpose and give Satan His glory.

All of us experience various kinds of opposition that test us. Some of these tests are temptations to sin. Some are mortal challenges apart from personal sin. Some are very great. Some are minor. Some are continuous, and some are mere episodes. None of us is exempt. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become.

...Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will “consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). We have also been taught to understand our mortal experiences and His commandments in the context of His great plan of salvation, which tells us the purpose of life and gives us the assurance of a Savior, in whose name I testify of the truth of these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Apply-Keep the faith. Study and understand the great plan of salvation. Continue to pray and keep the commandments. It is when we stray from keeping the commandments that we are so easily deceived.

Hymns

I know That My Redeemer Lives

Children

I am A Child of God

Stay By The Tree 3 Nephi 1:6

3 Nephi 1:6

Stay By The Tree

What

 6 And they began to arejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.

The unbelievers mocked the saints.

Why

Because they thought the time had passed so they thought they won this battle with the Saints. They thought they would escape punishment for their sins. They were listening to the wrong voice.

Pattern

Mocking, Mock, Mocker, Mockery

See also Persecution ; Profanity

Noah was mocked. Gen 6:8

• he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law: Gen. 19:14 .
• Sarah saw the son of Hagar … mocking: Gen. 21:9 .
• he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us: Gen. 39:14 .
• said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: Num. 22:29 .
• thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: Judg. 16:10 .

• came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him: 2 Kgs. 2:23 .
• they mocked the messengers of God: 2 Chr. 36:16 .
• With hypocritical mockers in feasts: Ps. 35:16 .
• Fools make a mock at sin: Prov. 14:9 .
• Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: Prov. 17:5 .
• Wine is a mocker: Prov. 20:1 .
• adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths: Lam. 1:7 .

Christ

• they shall mock him: Mark 10:34 . ( Luke 18:32 ; 1 Ne. 1:19 . )
• they had mocked him … and led him out to crucify him: Mark 15:20 .
• Lest … all that behold it begin to mock him: Luke 14:29 .
• men that held Jesus mocked him: Luke 22:63 .
• Herod with his men of war … mocked him: Luke 23:11 .
• soldiers also mocked him: Luke 23:36 .
• Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine: Acts 2:13 .
• heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: Acts 17:32 .
• Be not deceived; God is not mocked: Gal. 6:7 .
• others had trial of cruel mockings: Heb. 11:36 .
• should be mockers in the last time: Jude 1:18 .

• Fools mock, but they shall mourn: Ether 12:26 .
• solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children:Moro. 8:9 .

• calamity shall cover the mocker: D&C 45:50 .
• Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days: D&C 63:58 . ( D&C 104:6 . )
• Lord … cannot be mocked in any of these things: D&C 124:71 .

Conference

APRIL 2015 | Stay by the Tree

By Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Of the Seventy

Shortly before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren visited his home. Before he left, President Grant prayed, “O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end!”1 After nearly 27 years as President of the Church, this was his fervent prayer. His example is a striking reminder that no one, at any age, is immune from Satan’s influence. Two of Satan’s most powerful tools are distraction and deception.

Enduring to the end is a hallmark of true discipleship and is essential to eternal life. But when trials and challenges come our way, we are often told to simply “hang in there.” Let me be clear: to “hang in there” is not a principle of the gospel. Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.

If enduring to the end is essential to eternal life, why do we struggle to be faithful? We struggle when we are caught between competing priorities. Casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken faith. Enduring to the end requires total commitment to the Savior and to our covenants.

Lehi’s vision of the tree of life is a powerful parable on enduring to the end. Please prayerfully study and ponder Lehi’s dream; then liken it unto yourself. As you do, carefully consider six important principles that help us endure to the end.

1. Don’t Forget to Pray

We begin with Lehi alone “in a dark and dreary waste.”2 Each of us experiences periods of darkness and loneliness. “When life gets dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.”3 Follow President Heber J. Grant’s example. Pray for strength to endure to the end. Ask Heavenly Father, “What more would You have me do?”

2. Come unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him

The tree of life is the central focus in Lehi’s dream. Everything points to the tree of life. The tree represents Christ, who is the clear manifestation of the love of God. The fruit is His infinite 

...3. Press Forward with Faith

There is a path that leads to the tree of life, to Christ. It is strait and narrow, strict and exact. God’s commandments are strict but not restrictive. They protect us from spiritual and physical danger and prevent us from getting lost.

...4. The Book of Mormon Is Key to Spiritual Survival

Life’s journey is challenging. It’s easy to be distracted, wander off the path, and get lost. Tribulation is an inevitable and indispensable part of our eternal progression. When adversity comes, don’t let something you don’t fully understand unravel everything you do know. Be patient, cling to truth; understanding 

...5. Don’t Be Distracted and Deceived

To heed is to give careful attention. Heeding those who do not believe in Christ will not help you find Him. Searching #spaciousbuilding for knowledge will not lead you to truth. It’s not posted there. Only the Savior has “the words of eternal life.”8

...6. Stay by the Tree

Lehi’s message is to stay by the tree. We stay because we are converted unto the Lord. Alma taught, “Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.”11 As we yield our hearts to God, the Holy Ghost changes our very natures, we become deeply converted unto the Lord, and we no longer seek the spacious building. If we stop doing those things that bring about deepening conversion, we regress spiritually. Apostasy is the reverse of conversion.

Once we enter into covenants with God, there is no going back. Giving in, giving up, and giving out are not options. In the kingdom of God, there is a standard of excellence for exaltation. It requires valiant discipleship! There is no room for average or complacent disciples. Average is the enemy of excellence, and average commitment will prevent you from enduring to the end.

If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day! I testify of the profound power in the Book of Mormon that will change your life and strengthen your resolve to follow Christ. The Holy Ghost will change your heart and help you see “things as they really are.”12 He will show you what you need to do next. This is Nephi’s promise to you:

Apply

“Stay by the Tree”. We live with opposition every day. Choose to do what is right. Follow His teachings. Study His word. Study the Book of Mormon every single day!

Hymns

239-Choose the right

Children

164-I will follow God's Plan For Me