The gift and power of music

Marvin Goldstein taught students at Education Week by the spirit of music and the easiness of wit, entertaining those present Tuesday with his charismatic personality and captivating talent.

A convert from Judaism, Goldstein said he began an unofficial mission for the Church after being blessed by the late Elder Marvin J. Ashton in 1989. Elder Ashton told Goldstein he would share his music around the world.

“The missionary I’ve been since 1989 has gone by the spirit to know where to play, what to play, how to play [and] when to play,” Goldstein said.

Since then it has been his goal to help people understand to share the gospel through the piano.

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“You’ll know through my music why I was attracted to the Church and what it means to me,” Goldstein said. “You don’t understand that music is coming directly as a language from Heavenly Father.”

 

Goldstein urged the audience to realize the hymns they sing — or choose not to sing — each Sunday represent prayers to heaven.

“Consider when you sit in church, when you don’t even open the book or you don’t even sing, that you’re refusing to join people in prayer,” he said. “Hymns are prayers.”

Before performing a selection of hymns for those present, Goldstein explained the need for simplicity while playing sacred hymns.

“The center of attention is the Spirit that comes through simplicity and desire,” he said. “The spirit knows peace.”