Meeting our need through Music

Why do we have the Hymns?  Contrary to popular belief, they aren't just to fill up some time while all the late comers arrive to sacrament meeting.  The First Presidency Preface to the hymn book says that all the hymns have been selected to meet the varied needs of the members of the church. 

Reading through this, I found over 20 needs mentioned.  TWENTY!  So let me ask you... are you using the hymns to meet your needs and the needs of your family?  It really does make you look and listen to these sacred songs differently when you think of them as meeting a specific need. 

The more we understand how the hymns can bless our lives, the more our testimony of good music will grow and the more we will incorporate uplifting music into our lives. 

FHE:  If your kids can read, have them read through the preface and list all the needs they can find mentioned inside.  Ask them which needs they have had met through music.  Then of course, take some time to sing a hymn or two!

As a family, indentify a need that needs to be met.  Choose a hymn that you will sing each day for one week to help meet this need. 

"Teach your children to love the hymns.  Sing them on the Sabbath, in home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time.  Sing as you work, as you play, and as you travel together.  Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones."