Lesson 33

MUSIC

Objective: Understanding how music can really help bring good feelings in your home.

Visual Aid:  Sheet Music or CD’s

Lesson ideas:

* Music can bring the spirit into a home faster than any other way.  Music can bring in a good spirit or bad but our goal is to bring the spirit of Christ or peace into our homes.

* Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a talk in the 181 General Conference on music. He talked about how hymns can be a sermon, can motivate us to repentance and do good works. Music can build our testimonies, increase our faith or comfort us.

1. He also suggested that we hum or repeat words to our favorite hymns when temptations come our way.

* Sister Emma Smith was asked by the Lord early in our Church History to collect sacred hymns. (D&C 25: 11)

* The first hymn book Emma compiled was completed in 1835 with ninety hymns.  This first hymn book didn’t have any music, just words.

1. When you look at our current Hymn Book, for each song you will see who wrote the words and the music on the left side and on the right side some related scriptures to the song.

2.  Most of the songs have a history behind it.  For instants # 214, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” you will see the words were written by Henry Wadsworth as a poem months before Lee’s surrender to Grant.  You can see why the words “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth good will to men.”  His overall hope was to help bring “peace on earth”

* Hymns are part of our sacrament meetings, including prelude and postlude music, opening and closing hymns and sacrament hymns.  It is part of our worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus.

* The Lord said, “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: 12)

* David comforted Saul with his harp. (1 Samuel 16: 23)

* John Taylor sang, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," #29 to Joseph Smith just before he was martyred to be of comfort.

* A hymn was sung at the last supper before they went to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26: 30)

* The Jaredites also sang praises to the Lord. (Ether 6:9)

Scriptures:

Bible

1 Samuel 16:23 David took a harp and played

1 Chronicles 15:16 appoint to be singer’s

Psalm 81:1-3 sing aloud unto God

LDS Scriptures

D&C 25: 11 a selection of sacred hymns

D&C 25:12 my soul delighteth in the song of the heart

D&C 136:28 praise the Lord with singing

Activities:

* Sing some songs that make you feel happy.

* Sing a song and hold up a sign to sing the song loud, quiet, or hum.

* Sing a song that can be a round song.

* Play musical chairs.

* Pass out musical makers like sticks you hit together and play to the music.

* Learn the sign language to a song.

* Be aware of some international songs to increase other cultures music. (Music is a universal language.)

* Listen to various types of music and ask which type brings you closer to Christ. (Lullabies, Symphony, Rock ‘N Roll, Jazz, Religious etc.)

* Do you have a favorite song and why?

* Memorize a song and have it in your mind if bad thoughts come in.

* Sing a fun song like:  Choo, Choo, The Big Train or Do as I’m doing # 276

Choo choo the big train is coming down the track now

Choo Choo the big train is coming down the track

Stop Look and Listen

Stop Look and Listen

Choo, choo the big train is coming down the track

Songs:

Hymns

# 10 Come Sing to the Lord

# 182 We’ll Sing all Hail to Jesus’ Name

# 9 Come, Rejoice

Children’s  Songbook

# 266 If You’re Happy

# 253b Fun to Do

# 253a Sing a Song