Music and Faith

Music feeds faith in God.

Looking back, I think the connection between music and faith in my life began as a child. I grew up in Southern California, near my grandparents. My grandma had a piano and an electric organ in her living room. I remember visiting and hearing her practice hymns so she could play at church for Sunday services. My sister and I would have fun banging on the piano and changing all the presets on the organ. Amidst our ruckus, I remember being touched by my grandma’s playing, despite my youth. It was so peaceful and comforting, and I felt drawn to it. At age six I asked my mom if I could learn to play the piano and my grandma started teaching me lessons weekly.

Eventually, I switched to another teacher and took lessons until I graduated from high school. I learned to play many of the hymns my grandma played and many of the songs I sang in primary at church as a child. Oh, how these songs played a pivotal role in growing my faith in God! I often would sit at our family piano to play in the evenings before bed and flip through hymnbooks as song after song touched my heart.

I learned to love Jesus, as I played “I Stand All Amazed” (by Charles Gabriel).

“I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”

So many songs have brought me peace and comfort during times of sadness and stress. I have always felt buoyed up by the words in “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” (By Emma Lou Thayne),

“Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?. . .

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.”

It is recorded in the New Testament that even the Lord Jesus Christ, after giving the bread and water of the sacrament to his apostles, and before suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, turned to music. It simply says,

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (KJV Matthew 26:40)

I wonder what they sang. Did the hymn comfort, teach, unify, or praise? Maybe all of these.

During a time of my life that felt particularly stressful and confusing, music helped open my eyes to God’s blessings in my life. The words to the Lauren Daigle song, “Rescue You”, came into my mind and helped me to see all the people God sent into my life to help me during that difficult time.

“I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you.”

I felt rescued in many ways and had to give God the glory for sending me help and comfort when I needed it.

The scriptures teach us the importance of music. The Book of Psalms instructs,

“Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; . . . Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving;” (KJV Psalms 147:1,7)

One of my favorite hymns, “For the Beauty of the Earth” (by Folliott S. Pierpoint) is a hymn of praise. Now that I am a mother, it has often become a bedtime song for my young children. I hope its words rest in the souls of my children and that they remember all the good blessings from God throughout their lives.

“For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.”

I am thrilled that my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is releasing a new collection of sacred hymns. The release will be gradual, with new songs released every few months until the entire songbook is ready—hopefully by 2026. And then, amazingly, it will be translated into 50 languages! I hope these new songs will be a source of strength, unity, and joy for people all over the world.

Sacred, faith-filled music has blessed my life in countless ways. Music has helped me worship God. Music has united me with fellow believers. Music has taught me truth and helps me teach others. Music has inspired me. Music has softened my heart and moved me to do good. Music has helped me overcome discouragement. Music has invited the Holy Spirit into my life and helped me feel closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. May we all find strength in music that fuels our faith.

Claire Smith is a stay-at-home mom to five fun and creative children. She enjoys water-coloring and other artistic endeavors. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.