Singing and joy and happiness are so intertwined. ⁣

So I know that He sings. ⁣

How do you think our Heavenly Parents sound?⁣

I know They sing. ⁣

Singing is joy and praise. ⁣

But it doesn’t always feel that way, right?⁣

When we open our hymn books in church to sing the opening hymn, it’s oftentimes routine. ⁣

(Or time to try and keep your kids from tearing pages out of the book.)⁣

Yeah, yeah, opening hymn. It’s what we do. ⁣

But how would our congregations, and more importantly our own hearts, be transformed if we sang with joy and praise in our hearts?⁣

Singing without a care in the world?

My heaven is filled with a whole lot of singing. ⁣

“And they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night forever and ever.” (D&C 133:56⁣)

It’s not going to be somber when we see Jesus. ⁣

Reverence and praise work together!⁣

And I think the newest songs being added to our hymn book are encouraging us to realize that joy and reverence can go hand in hand.

Singing, with our hearts and souls and intent fully behind it, is a beautiful way that we WILL use to praise Jesus.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Does Jesus sing? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

So when I connect that love of singing to the gospel, I can’t help but connect with what Alma asks about our hearts. ⁣

“If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26)

Are our hearts taking advantage of the opportunity we have every single day to sing the song of redeeming love?⁣

Or are we giving it up for some lesser options? ⁣

Sometimes, I catch myself just humming. ⁣

Here I am, surrounded by miraculous stories, Spirit-filled experiences, God’s word, and a prophet of God. ⁣

And I’m just kind of humming along.

Remembering to read my scriptures here and there, trying to feel the Spirit sometimes… still in tune, but not fully participating. ⁣

And other times, I realize I’ve started mouthing the words. ⁣

Going through the motions.

Keeping up appearances.

But not having much substance behind what I’m doing, and taking no joy from it. ⁣

And yet other times, I realize that I don’t know what notes I’m supposed to sing. ⁣

The responsibility is mine to create opportunities to feel the Spirit, and I’ve dropped the ball.

I haven’t prepared my heart in the way that I know I should. ⁣

And then, other times, I get to SING. ⁣

I get to sing out.

I sing the right notes. I create harmony with those around me who are also doing their best. I keep my eyes on the Director, who knows the big picture. ⁣

That is pure joy.⁣

Singing with a full heart and a full voice. ⁣

So when was the last time we fully sang out? ⁣

Has it been a while since we felt that joy of being “all in” with our mightily changed hearts?⁣

And if it’s been a while, what changes can we make to feel that JOY of singing the song of redeeming love again?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Singing, humming, or mouthing? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.