Music is a beautiful and powerful carrier of the spirit. This principle affected me a lot on my mission. Just about everyone knows that missionaries have a different standard than the world when it comes to music.
Instead of trying to tell you what missionaries could and could not listen to, I'll just post this. This is what the missionary handbook says:
"Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred
spirit of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit,
help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts
and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that
pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely
entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls
your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness,
lyrics, or intensity.
Listening to music must never interfere with your
personal preparation or proselyting...."
As I went through my mission I adjusted more and more to fit this standard. There were things at the beginning of my mission that I felt like may have fit into this standard, but as I continued to grow closer to the Lord, I realized that some of my music was distracting. I learned a lot about myself and my motives of why I listened to music. And as I did so, I weeded out some of the music I was listening to. I figured "hey, if I can feel wonderful while listening to music, why not always listen to the stuff that makes me feel wonderful?"
I also began to listen more to the lyrics to the music and I was blessed to have answers come to me as I listened. The music was powerful, the messages were pure and simple, yet overwhelming. The spirit was able to testify again and again to me that what I was doing (not just with music) was right.
There was a song that stood out to me then that still stands out to me now. Part of the lyrics of that song are these:
"...Don't be afraid to live as you know you should,
nothing bad can come from being too good.
You never can keep up with the praise of the world, it comes and goes.
You're born with His light, now let it show!
Don't give up what you want most for things you may want now,
though there are obstacles placed in your way, you'll overcome somehow.
Don't think that no one notices if you do what's right,
and don't think that nobody cares if you win or lose this fight,
'cause I know that He cares." -He Cares by 4 ordained (The album is called Bring Me Home)
This part of the song gives me courage to live according to what God has asked me to do. There are times when it is so hard to bring my will into line with His. There are other times when I feel as if I am being judged for being "too good", when in fact, that isn't a problem. I also love the line "don't give up what you want most for things you may want now." When God says "wait, I have something better in store." or "Hang on, that's not what you need." it can be hard to swallow. But I know that as we wait patiently and cheerfully on the Lord, that we will receive the fullness of all the gospel blessings if we are living righteously.
To close I want to just stick in this link to the First Presidency preface to the Hymns. I too want to testify that music can bring joy, peace, and consolation to the soul. We can receive answers from God. I also know that just like any other good tool the Lord has given us, the adversary has also put his music into the world. Music can be had for good or evil. I challenge all of us to go through our music and think about how it makes us feel. Think "would I be comfortable listening to this is front of my family, friends, or the Savior?" Evaluate, and come unto Christ. I know this will bless you because I have seen the changes in my own life as I have done the same thing. I also know it will help because the Lord promises us the same thing in D&C 25. Let us fill our lives with good things. :)
