Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often stereotyped as being more musically inclined than the average person.
The Church uses music frequently as a way to worship. A typical Sunday service includes singing multiple hymns to invite reverence and the Spirit. Sometimes a choir or small group will perform a special musical number.
The preface of the Church hymnbook was written by the First Presidency and explains the importance of music in meetings and in daily life.
The preface says, “Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage and move us to righteous action."
Karen Allen, a YSA ward music coordinator, discussed how growing up with the Church as her support has given her the confidence and encouragement to continue playing the piano and clarinet.
“It’s the easiest way for me to bring the spirit to a meeting. It’s really meaningful and can be really impactful to people," Allen said.
Beyond just sacrament meetings, the Church provides numerous different settings for practicing music.
Many wards and stakes have choirs that anybody can join. In these choirs, members can learn basic skills such as reading music, as well as more advanced skills such as different voice parts.
One of the biggest ways that the Church instills musical knowledge from a young age is singing time in Primary class. Children are taught songs from the Children’s Songbook and learn skills such as rhythm, tempo and pitch.
“That’s one of the biggest ways that I learned how to sing and enjoy music as a kid,” Allen said.
In a message from the 2023 Primary General Presidency, they shared the importance of teaching sacred music to children.
“Sacred music is a vital part of their spiritual foundation that will bless, strengthen and guide them throughout their lives,” the Presidency stated.
Music is an effective way to teach young children gospel principles they can understand. The Presidency compared children’s songs to small testimonies — relaying truths and teaching children how to recognize the Spirit.
Many parents also take the time outside of church to have their children learn musical instruments. For many families, following the counsel of prophets and apostles to cherish and develop musical gifts has led to generations of tradition.
Naiya Smith, a BYU student, grew up learning the violin and guitar.
“I feel like growing up in the Church, everyone’s parents want their kids to be more well-rounded because that’s what the church encourages of us,” Smith said.
Smith’s parents both play instruments as well, something that they were encouraged to do by their parents.
Sarah Glanzer is a mom of four who had all of her kids take piano lessons when they were young. She wanted her children to know how to read music and mentioned that learning an instrument is good for brain development.
Glanzer also noted that the Church provides a space for adults to continue performing music.
Making a music career can be very hard, and many people who work full-time and have families may struggle to find time to practice instruments.
With the Church’s encouragement of musical numbers and choirs, adults are given opportunities to continue performing that they may not otherwise come by.
“I think the piano is very tied to the church because it’s a place that you can play as an adult,” Glanzer said. “Church definitely gives opportunities for people who are musical to share their talents that way.”
The Church encourages members to share their talents in ways such as musical performances because of what these performances can do for others.
In the New Testament, Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Members are counseled to develop their talents and share them with others, often using musical performances. Even performances that aren’t on a professional level are appreciated and help build community within wards.
“Rather mundane performances get exalted in such a way that it’s awesome,” Glanzer said.
The Church encourages and provides opportunities for the development of musical talent to build community, invite the Spirit into daily life, and use those talents to serve and uplift others.
Many other denominations share similar views to the LDS Church regarding worship through music.
Sheyla Sarantes is a Catholic-Christian who’s been practicing music from a very young age. She attended school in Nicaragua, where she sang in the choir and then picked up guitar.
“It was there that I learned to play the guitar, driven by a desire to sing praises to God,” Sarantes said.
Sarantes attended a religious high school, which helped her make connections with other musicians and members of her faith.
In university she was given opportunities to travel to El Salvador and other nearby areas to perform in concerts and share her love of music and her faith.
“Singing is a talent bestowed by God, meant to be used to praise Him and to be shared with others,” Sarantes said. “It is through the faith I hold in God and the Virgin Mary that I have been able to learn to play the guitar, sing, and help others — and above all, to find joy and love in what I do.”
There are strong ties between religion, faith and music. Organized churches often provide opportunities for musical development, beginning at a young age and continuing into adulthood.