Music in the Classroom

"Hymn singing can be an effective way to introduce or reinforce gospel principles taught in the classroom. Leaders should encourage teachers to use the hymns to enhance classroom instruction" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church 14.4.6).

A couple of years ago in the Lake Crescent Ward, the Gospel Doctrine teacher, Brant Hicks, planned a special lesson about music. During the lesson, he invited members of the class to share their favorite hymn and how that hymn strengthens their faith. Then the class sang one or two verses of the hymn together. Brother Hicks had invited me to accompany the singing on the piano and I have since reflected on how blessed I was to have been able to participate in that lesson.

As members shared their testimonies and the class sang the hymns, it became immediately clear that singing hymns in a classroom setting can be very powerful. I came away from that experience wishing that more of our Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society, youth and other meetings could have these types of experiences!

Though this particular lesson was entirely focused on music, your efforts do not have to be extensive. Simply adding a hymn or primary song to your lesson plan can go far in reinforcing the message of the lesson. I invite all auxiliary leaders to counsel together and prayerfully consider ways to incorporate the hymns into your lessons and classes more frequently.