D&C 25:12 “ For my soul delighteth in the song 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 your heads. “
How do we teach our children the importance of immersing their lives in sacred music?
* Have plenty of sacred music available in your home. Play it often, it will bring a sweet spirit into your home and help make your home a haven. Cd’s of hymns and the children’s songbook, classical music, LDS music available from deseret book etc. Use your judgement, if you would listen to it with the Savior, then it’s probably a good choice!
* You can also use music to teach your children values, scriptures, etc. One of my favorite sites is www.ldsscripturerock.com it is truly amazing, songs that teach the seminary scriptures, songs that teach the articles of faith and more. My family personally owns a couple cd’s and we love them. Also look around the internet, for lds music.
* Have everyone in your family learn to play a musical instrument! Trust me on this one, I love the fact that my family can gather around the piano and sing, I also love playing the piano to put my babies to sleep. If it is possible, try to have a piano in your home. 
* Great music brings a good Spirit into your home and makes it comfy and a haven from the world.
* Elder Boyd K. Packer teaches us:
“ Music, once….innocent, now is often used for wicked purposes. In our day music itself has been corrupted. Music can, by its tempo, by its beat, by its intensity ( and I would add by its lyrics), dull the spiritual sensitivity of men. Young people , you cannot afford to fill your mind with the unworthy hard music of our day. Instead, we encourage you to listen to uplifting music, both popular and classical, that builds the spirit. “ ( ensign, may 1986, 45)
* For the Strength of the Youth also is a big help to us as parents. The First Presidency makes this statement: “ Music is an important and powerful part of life. It can be an influence for good that helps you draw closer to your Heavenly Father. However, it can also be used for wicked purposes. Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit. Choose carefully the music you listen to. Pay attention to how you feel when you are listening. Don’t listen to music that drives away the Spirit , encourages immorality, glorifies violences, uses foul or offensive language, or promotes Satanism or other evil practices.” Page 20 from For the Strength of the Youth Pamphlet.
* For those of you with older children- please get informed on what your kids and their friends are listening to. Be hip, lol, know what’s out there- but make sure that you take the time to lovingly teach your children about good and sacred music. Help them to realize that when a bad song comes on it’s ok to change the station, change the subject and say something fun like “ my ears are to precious for this “ in a fun manner. Peer pressure sucks, but your kids have choices, encourage them and teach them ways to stand up but still have fun!
* In the book “ 25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them, by Randal A. Wright” it has a lot of good statements on music that are worth repeating.
“ RECOGNIZE IT’s POWER. Music has been called the universal language because it speaks directly to our emotions. Our feelings can, in turn, actually influence our behavior. Music has an unique ability to inspire or to destroy. Realizing the power of music is nothing new. Over the ages many people have used it for various reasons. When Christ needed strength to face his terrible ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane, he turned to music. The scriptures record, “ And when they had sung a hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30). Joseph and Hyrum Smith also turned to music before facing their deaths. One of the last things Joseph and Hyrum did in the Carthage Jail was to request John Taylor sing “ A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” to comfort them. And in our day, music plays a very important role in our church services and activities. Can you imagine a sacrament meeting or a general conference without music?” end quote.
Link to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “ A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”
Music has such an amazing and beautiful way of bringing the Spirit into our homes and our hearts.
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