Zachary LeFoll

February 13, 2008

The Song of the Righteous D&C 25:11-12

Objective
The students will gain a greater understanding for the importance uplifting music has had
and will have throughout the eternities in the worship of heavenly beings. They will also
gain a greater appreciation for the hymns of Zion and their use in day-to-day life.

Audience
The lesson material is directed primarily to a more mature audience of young adults.

Scriptural Discussion
Music in worship
 2 chr. 29:25-28 – The Lord commands His people to set themselves with many
different instruments in the House of the Lord.
 “Possibly the Jews were ignorant of the principles of harmony and of the methods
of forming harmonic chords. Their instrumental would sound noisy and harsh to
our ears.” – Bible dictionary…God doesn’t care as much about the tune of the
sound as He does about the tune of the heart.
 I say that the singing of the songs of Zion, though imperfectly, with the
inspiration of God, will touch the hearts of the honest more effectively than if
sung well without the Spirit of God. Sing with the Spirit of God. Love the words
that you sing. I love the songs of Zion.
 “I have, all the days of my life, enjoyed singing very much. When I was a little
boy ten years of age I joined a singing class, and the professor told me that I could
never learn to sing. Some years ago [a man] told me that I could sing, but he said
he would like to be forty miles away while I was doing it. …“When I was a child,
next to my own mother, no woman that ever lived took as much interest in me,
gave me as much motherly advice or seemed to love me more than did Sister
[Eliza R.] Snow. I loved her with all my heart, and loved her hymn, ‘O My
Father.’ I remarked some four months ago to Brother Horace S. Ensign that I
would be willing to spend four or five months of my spare time if I could only
learn to sing that one hymn. He told me that any one could learn to sing that had
perseverance. I said to him if there was anything that I had it was perseverance.
So I suggested that we sit down and I would take my first lesson of two hours on
that song. I have been continuing the lessons on it ever since. …“I make these
remarks because I feel that we ought to encourage our young people to learn to
sing. From the standpoint of a singer, I have lost thirty-three years of my life. I
was told when ten years old that I could never learn to sing. I did not learn until
forty-three years of age, and I have spent four or five months trying to learn to
sing the hymns, ‘God moves in a mysterious way,’ and ‘O My Father.’ I have
learned one because of the sentiments and my love for the author, and the other
because the late President Wilford Woodruff loved it better than any other hymn
in the hymn book.” Shortly after making these remarks, Elder Grant sang the
hymn “O My Father.” Then he said: “I have but one object tonight in speaking
and singing, and that is to encourage the young men and young ladies not to waste
 Zachary LeFoll
February 13, 2008
thirty or forty years of their lives before undertaking to sing. … By continued
effort one can learn to sing that has no knowledge of music whatever, as was the
case with me.”
 Selection of sacred hymns for use in the church – D+C 25:11
 Song of the righteous – D+C 25:12

What do all these things mean about the importance of music to our Heavenly
father? Why is singing and music in general such an important form of
worship? Why should we sing even if we don’t feel we have the natural ability?

Music as a warning or alarm

 2 chr. 13:12-14 – The priests sound trumpets as an alarm for the people to not
fight against God.
 Num 10:2-9 – The blowing of the silver trumpets was an alarm for the people, but
also an ordinance between them and God that when they were at war, they would
sound the alarm and they would be saved from their enemies.

In what way can music warn us of spiritual danger? In what way can music
secure for us the help of God in fighting our common enemy, the adversary?

Music in sadness or joy

 At the death of Josiah the singing men and women sang of him and made it and
ordinance that stands in the book of lamentations- 2 Chr. 35:25
 In 1845, Eliza R. Snow composed a hymn that would profoundly influence our
family for many generations. Our story began in 1862 in Oslo, Norway. A young
couple, David and Serena Jensen, took a walk one day shortly after the death of
their young son. A faint melody stirred the air, and they were drawn toward the
community hall. “When I leave this frail existence …” The sweet words touched
their hearts, and the two young people quietly slipped inside and sat down.
“Father, Mother, may I meet you …” (“O My Father,” Hymns, no. 292). What did
these words mean? they wondered. The sorrowing couple stayed to listen. Two
young men began speaking to the small congregation, and David and Serena
listened hungrily to their message. The Jensens were soon baptized, and together
with Serena’s sister Julia, they set sail for the United States. The family settled in
Preston, Idaho, where children were born to them, including my grandfather
Wilford. From early childhood I knew that the hymn “O My Father” was special
to our family. When I was nine, I began taking piano lessons from my
grandmother. My goal was to play “O My Father.” Within three years she died,
however, and I listened as someone else played the beloved hymn at her funeral.
As it had touched Serena of old, the hymn gave me hope that I would one day see
my grandmother again. I soon found a new piano teacher and began practicing the
hymn again. Ten years later my father was diagnosed with cancer. As he lay
dying at age 53, he often requested that I play for him. The gentle melody of “O
My Father” comforted him and eased his pain. On a bitter, dark day in February,
my father died. Grief threatened to overwhelm me until I heard the hymn’s sweet,
familiar strains sung at his funeral. Today a teenage daughter enjoys playing “O
 Zachary LeFoll
February 13, 2008
My Father” on the piano, and a missionary son is learning to sing it in Portuguese.
Eliza’s hymn of hope continues to reach out to our family’s next generation.
 The righteous will be gathered to Zion, singing songs of everlasting joy – D+C
45:71
 Keeping the sayings of the Lord will help the saints to gather the elect to Zion
with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads – D+C 66:11
 Pure in heart shall sing songs of everlasting joy – D+C 101:18
 If you’re merry then praise the Lord with singing, music and dancing and a prayer
– D+C 136:28
 I recall one incident showing how song has the power to soothe irritated feelings
and bring harmony to the hearts of men who are filled with a contentious spirit. It
occurred many years ago and involved a quarrel between two old and faithful
brethren whose membership dated back to the days of Nauvoo. These men had
been full of integrity and devotion to the work of the Lord. They had been through
many of the hardships of Nauvoo, and had suffered the drivings and persecutions
of the Saints, as well as the hardships of pioneering, incident to the early
settlement of the west. These men had quarreled over some business affairs, and
finally concluded that they would try to get President John Taylor to help them
adjust their difficulties. John Taylor was then the president of the Council of the
Twelve Apostles. These brethren pledged their word of honor that they would
faithfully abide by whatever decision Brother Taylor might render. … They did
not immediately tell him what their trouble was, but explained that they had
seriously quarreled and asked him if he would listen to their story and render his
decision. President Taylor willingly consented. But he said: “Brethren, before I
hear your case, I would like very much to sing one of the songs of Zion for you.”
Now President Taylor was a very capable singer, and interpreted sweetly and with
spirit, our sacred hymns. He sang one of our hymns to the two brethren. Seeing its
effect, he remarked that he never heard one of the songs of Zion but that he
wanted to listen to one more, and so asked them to listen while he sang another.
Of course, they consented. They both seemed to enjoy it; and, having sung the
second song, he remarked that he had heard there is luck in odd numbers and so
with their consent he would sing still another, which he did. Then in his jocular
way, he remarked: “Now, brethren, I do not want to wear you out, but if you will
forgive me, and listen to one more hymn, I promise to stop singing, and will hear
your case.” The story goes that when President Taylor had finished the fourth
song, the brethren were melted to tears, got up, shook hands, and asked President
Taylor to excuse them for having called upon him, and for taking up his time.
They then departed without his even knowing what their difficulties were.
President Taylor’s singing had reconciled their feelings toward each other. The
spirit of the Lord had entered their hearts, and the hills of difference that rose
between them had been leveled and become as nothing. Love and brotherhood
had developed in their souls. The trifles over which they had quarreled had
become of no consequence in their sight. The songs of the heart had filled them
with the spirit of reconciliation. 11
 Zachary LeFoll
February 13, 2008
What type of effect does music have on your moods? Does music really have
power to affect the way we feel, or does how we feel affect what music we hear?
Why should we express merriment through singing, music and dance?

Music in praise to the Lord

 The singers and musicians were as one in praising and thanking God in the temple
and the glory of the Lord came and rested as a cloud - 2 Chr. 5:11-14
 David made instruments for the purpose of praising the Lord – 2 Chr. 7:6
 The Levites and the priests praised the Lord by day with singing – 2 Chr. 30:21
 In God’s kingdom, sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above – Morm. 7:7
 Our Spirit will sing after death in choir – Mosiah 2:28

How can a song or music praise the Lord?

Music with the Ark of the Covenant

 All of Israel played before the Lord on all manner or instruments – 2 Sam 6:5
 Israel played before the ark with all manner of instruments – 1 Chr. 15:16-28
 The instruments were called “the musical instruments of God” they must
therefore have some significance – 1 Chr. 16:42

Why was this sacred object, housed within the temple walls itself, accompanied on
its journeys by music?

Music at special occasions

 Jesus and apostles sang a hymn after the last supper – Matt:26:30
 There will be a song that only the righteous can learn which will be sung at the
throne of God – Rev 14:2-3
 Those left after the destruction at the second coming shall sing a new song – D+C
84:98-102
 The saints, resurrected, shall sing the song of the Lamb – D+C 133:56

Why would Christ choose to sing a song at the last supper? Why will the righteous
at the second coming be singing a song? Why not just saying a prayer?

Music to bring the spirit

 There is a great deal lost in the homes of the people by not having the songs of
Zion sung therein. Many a missionary robs himself of strength and power and
ability to accomplish good, and to make friends, by not knowing how to sing. …
The songs of Zion bring a good influence into our homes.
 The smell of lasagna filled the kitchen as Chrissy’s family sat down at the table.
Chrissy quietly bowed her head as her father gave the prayer. After the prayer,
Mother began to serve the lasagna while Father asked what everyone had learned
in church that day. Greta and Roger, Chrissy’s older sister and brother, had
learned about Emma Smith, the Prophet Joseph’s wife. They said that Jesus Christ
called Emma an “elect lady.” Chrissy asked, “What’s an elect lady?” Father
explained, “An elect lady is a woman who has been chosen by Heavenly Father
 Zachary LeFoll
February 13, 2008
and set apart to do a special work.” Chrissy smiled because she liked Emma
Smith and was happy that Jesus Christ had called her an elect lady. Chrissy knew
that Emma had been a very courageous person. When it was Chrissy’s turn to tell
what she had learned in Primary, her smile disappeared and her eyes filled with
tears. She sobbed, “I wish I only had to sing two songs on Sunday like my friend
Jaimey does at her church. I don’t want to sing in Primary anymore.” “You used
to love singing,” Mother said. “What happened?” “Eric said I sing too loud. He
says singing is silly.” Mother stood up and left the kitchen. In a moment, she
came back carrying her Doctrine and Covenants. When she found what she was
searching for in it, she asked Chrissy, “Did you know that Emma Smith was given
her very own revelation from the Lord?” Chrissy shook her head. “Well,” Mother
continued, “section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants is Emma’s very own
revelation, and in it Jesus Christ tells her some very special things.” “Is that where
he calls her an elect lady?” “Yes, that’s right. It also talks about a calling Emma
received from him. Did you know that he asked her to make the very first
hymnbook for the Church? He knew she would be good at collecting hymns for
the Saints to sing. After he asked her to make a hymnbook, the Lord told her
something very special about singing. Would you like to hear what he said?” At
Chrissy’s nod, Mother read verse 12: “ ‘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.’ ” Mother put the book down and asked
everyone at the table, “Who knows what that verse means?” Roger smiled. “That
means Jesus Christ likes to hear us sing.” “That’s right, Roger,” Father said. “It
also means a song is like a prayer. We are always reverent during prayers because
we are speaking with our Heavenly Father. Hymns are just like prayers, and that
is why it is important to sing with all our hearts.” Chrissy smiled as she thought
about how Emma Smith had obeyed Jesus and made him happy. She thought of
Eric and the mean things he had said. She decided that she would be like Emma
and have the courage to do what is right. “I can’t wait for church next Sunday,”
she announced. “I’m going to sing with all my heart, and I am going to make
Jesus happy.”

We need to understand that it is not only good to sing the hymns of Zion, but it is
right, it is expected. God is pleased when His saints sing His praises and not merely
mouth them or listen to them. We too can learn to love singing regardless of our
natural talent.

Testify of the importance of music throughout all ages past, present and future in
the worship of our God.

Sources:
 “Chapter 18: The Song of the Heart,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church:
Heber J. Grant, 164
 Heidi Klumb, “Chrissy’s Song,” Liahona, Aug 1998, 6
 Trisa L. Martin, “Eliza’s Song, Our Song,” Ensign, Jun 1999, 51