Many of you may have had a transformational experience during an Easter or Christmas sacrament program. Or were deeply touched by a special musical number.
There’s something sacred about sitting in sacrament meetings and feeling the Spirit settle into the room as voices rise in harmony or a single voice bears testimony through music. Whether it’s a heartfelt solo, a humble duet, or a well-rehearsed choir, special musical numbers are more than just “filler.” They are instruments of healing, worship, and connection—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Science confirms what the Spirit has long taught us: music has power. It activates both hemispheres of the brain, increases endorphins, boosts heart health, reduces cortisol, and enhances emotional regulation. On a spiritual level, music can soften hearts, invite revelation, and prepare us to partake of the sacrament with more humility and gratitude.
With that in mind, here are three key ways we can intentionally use musical numbers and choirs to uplift and unify the Saints:
Choir as Connection: Building Emotional and Spiritual Unity
Participation in a ward choir is often underestimated. But those who show up—consistently or even just when they can—often find more than music. They find connection. According to research published in Frontiers in Psychology, singing in a group not only synchronizes breathing and heart rates but also increases oxytocin—the “bonding hormone.” That’s the same hormone released during acts of trust and love.
For members who feel isolated or are working through grief, stress, or spiritual questions, choir can be a place of gentle healing. The act of singing together builds emotional safety and unity. Over time, these shared musical experiences become spiritual anchors.
For Choir Directors
You have a sacred stewardship. More than just “getting through the hymn,” you can create a space of belonging. Begin practices with a short spiritual thought. Ask members what a song means to them. Invite prayerful reflection before performances. When you lead with love and purpose, your choir becomes more than a group—it becomes a small spiritual family.
The Individual Offering: Testimony Through Song
When a soloist or small group shares a musical number, something sacred happens. The congregation leans in. The Spirit whispers. Testimonies are quietly strengthened. These offerings often come with vulnerability, and that openness invites authenticity—something our worship desperately needs.
Music allows members to testify in a language that transcends spoken word. For some, it’s easier to sing than to speak their testimony aloud. For others, it’s a way to process grief or gratitude.
From a health standpoint, singing individually increases breath control, decreases stress hormones, and promotes emotional expression. One Harvard Health article noted that even listening to a heartfelt solo can reduce pain and increase empathy in the listener.
A Bonus Benefit?
The youth in your ward may be more willing to share musical numbers than give talks. Music gives them a doorway into spiritual expression—on their terms, in their voice.
Inspired Selection: The Stewardship of Song Choice
Every music director knows the challenge of selecting songs that fit within policy and time constraints. But what if we saw this effort as a spiritual opportunity?
Choosing inspired music requires sensitivity to the Spirit, awareness of ward needs, and sometimes, boldness. The right song at the right moment can feel like revelation to someone who desperately needed it.
There’s growth in this effort. It requires listening—not just to music, but to people. What themes are surfacing in sacrament talks? What challenges are members facing? What quiet promptings are you feeling? The more we seek that inspiration, the more refined our ability becomes to receive it.
For Choir Directors and Music Coordinators
This is your influence. This is your ministry. And it’s one that can touch even those who struggle to connect with spoken messages.
Final Thought: Making Room for the Spirit Through Music
When we prioritize music in our worship, we prioritize connection. Not performance. Not perfection. But connection—with each other and with heaven. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, of the Seventy, shared that:
“Church hymns are a form of worship; they serve as a prayer of thanks and an expression of commitment. Many hymns build unity among the Saints as well as build a community of Saints. They invite the Spirit into meetings and into our lives. They teach doctrine. Hymns often express testimony and may even be a form of protection or a source of comfort and healing.”
So whether you’re a bishopric member choosing to invite more musical numbers, a choir director wondering if your efforts matter, or a member who’s been thinking about volunteering your musical talents—step forward.
Offer your song.
Give your voice.
And trust that heaven hears—and heals—through it.
Beth Young is a convert of 47 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
