Elder Jay E. Jensen: Sacred hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord
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Hymns are essential to spirituality, revelation and conversion, said Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy, speaking during the Saturday morning session of conference.
"My testimony and conversion to the restored gospel was strongly influenced by singing the hymns of Zion as a young boy," said Elder Jensen. Among a flood of sweet memories from his hometown's "old white church" is "the converting power of the hymns we sang in priesthood, Sunday School and sacrament meetings."
Hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord "often quicker than anything else we do," he said.
"Music in Church meetings and classes should facilitate a spirit of worship, revelation and testimony," said Elder Jensen. "For sacrament meetings, the bishopric is responsible to select or approve music. They ensure that the music, the words and the musical instruments are sacred, dignified, and will promote worship and and revelation."
Further, he said, "Hymns 'create a feeling of reverence'.... and 'reinforce the great truths of the Restoration."' He added, "Sacred among all hymns are those that capture the sacrifice and the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement."
Members should fill their homes "with the sound of worthy music," he said, quoting the First Presidency's preface to the hymnbook.
He listed six lessons to apply regarding hymns:
1. Strive to be more punctual, to listen quietly to prelude music, and experience reverence and revelation.
2. Leave meetings more reverently, allowing postlude music to extend the meeting.
3. Sing the hymns.
4. Choose hymns appropriate to the meetings and messages.
5. Use hymns to introduce or emphasize truths in lessons.
6. Listen to the hymns more frequently in the home.
