Music

Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please CLICK HERE

Editor’s Note: Paul Cardall is the first Latter-day Saint artist to be nominated for album of the year by the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards, and recently he was announced as the winner of this prestigious award.

I believe music can create an atmosphere of peace that invites the Lord’s spirit to heal our hearts and our lives. Indeed, I believe the Savior taught this principle. 

The Lamb of God knowing the weight of the world would soon crush down on Him as His death drew near, Jesus gathered those closest to Him for a last supper. The mood of that room and the emotions felt by those surrounding The Christ is worth pondering. His apostles were witnessing love immeasurable as the heart of God was breaking. 

After witnessing the betrayal of one and the loyalty of others, he taught about the ordinance of the sacrament, and then the Creator of the cosmos turned to music to find comfort, both for himself and his disciples. With voices united in an opus of The Father, I can only imagine how the sound waves from the voice of God, harmonized by His quorum of apostles, must have echoed through eternity as the great and eternal sacrifice was prepared to redeem all of God’s children, one by one. “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

As it did with those who attended the last supper, music can play an instrumental role in our lives.  Perhaps there is a favorite piece of music that makes us smile or cry or dance; a tune that generates nostalgic feelings and possibly helps us have heavenly feelings.

I was born with a very complex congenital heart defect and was given only days to live, but with God’s help, I defied medical expectations and survived.   Still, I endured a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout my childhood.  Unable to play most sports and engage in rigorous childhood activities, I took comfort in music.  I even began piano lessons at age eight, but I was a restless child, who didn’t like the structured lessons and the need to practice.  After six months, my mom let me quit.  Though I didn’t play an instrument, I was obsessed with music of all kinds.

A turning point came in my life during high school when a tragic accident took the life of one of my best friends.  Because I’d been living at death’s door my entire life with congenital heart disease, I had a difficult time trying to understand why my friend would die and I would continue living.

In my grief, I found myself sitting at the upright piano in our family living room.  I gently touch three notes and discovered a melody.  Somehow, I spontaneously played the keys and out came a song.   In that amazing moment, I felt the spirit of the music cleansing my soul.  In fact, I felt the weight of grief leave me as I was assured by the Lord that my friend was alive and well in the spirit world.

In my youth, music had always been a powerful resource in trying to understand the Divine.  I had continually turned to music to be closer to my Savior.   After composing that first song, and discovering my piano playing gift, I felt guided to build a career in music with the intent of offering that same sense of peace to others.  As a recording artist, label executive, producer, songwriter and performer, I’ve become aware that my music has been instrumental in helping others feel and recognize God’s tender mercies.

For example, I learned about a young man born in Baghdad who was suffering from depression.  War had taken his family and anger filled his heart.  He wanted to take his life.   At that time, he worked among troops on a U.S. military base.   One day as he walked past one of the rooms on base, he overheard a soldier listing to piano music on his laptop speakers.  The young man was drawn to the music and walked back to listen.  The soldier turned up the volume, and tears began developing in the young man’s eyes.  A burning sensation of love surged through his hurting soul.

         “What’s the name of that song,” he asked the soldier in broken English. 

         “You like that song,” was the reply. 

         “Yes,” he said, “What is it?” 

         “It’s called ‘Redeemer,’” said the soldier. 

The kid from Iraq, desperate to understand his value in the eyes of God, later emailed me saying, “It was your song Redeemer fill me.  I was in so much pain, lonely, and going commit to suicide.  Allah change my heart.  I need to live.” 

In another part of the Lord’s vineyard, Ryan wrote to me, “I don’t know if you ever read these, but I felt compelled to reach out to you this morning and let you know that your music guided me through my recovery in alcoholism, my spiritual rebirth and my development of a relationship with the Holy Ghost.” 

Other fans reported similar experiences. Colleen wrote, “Our son came home with cancer after 14 months in the mission field – we spent 8 months at the hospital and we almost lost our son many times – I wanted to let you know how much we loved listening to your  music- it helped us sleep, uplifted us and was just so peaceful. We could feel the Love of our savior and our guardian angels. Thanks for all your hours practicing and perfecting your talent- and for having the courage to pursue music as your vocation. You have truly blessed our lives. We appreciate you and wanted you to know it.”

Meanwhile, a New York University student was having a bit of a rough time. She struggled with school. She was feeling the weight of the world when she wrote me, “Every time I feel overwhelmed, stressed or just sad I listen to your music, and I feel at peace.” 

These are just a few examples of people finding comfort in my music.  I have no control over who is listening, but the Lord knows who is seeking comfort and how to help them.

Since the heart of my music is the gospel message, it’s interesting to note demographic reports from Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes show my 25 million listeners represent broad religious, cultural, political, racial and sexual diversity.

I’ve never treated my arrangements of hymns as though they’re strictly for Latter-day Saints.  In fact, my arrangements of “O How Lovely Was The Morning” (Joseph’s First Prayer) and “Redeemer” (I Know That My Redeemer Lives) have been performed in Methodist, Baptist, and Catholic Churches.  “One by One,” co-written by Elder David A. Bednar, was performed for Christmas Mass in Catholic parishes in Seattle, Cleveland, and Boston.

Music, of course, plays an essential role in worship.  Early Apostle Parley Pratt suggested God uses music to accomplish His objective of bringing “to pass the immortality and eternal life” of His children.  Therefore, music is more than mere artistic expression.  It is a heavenly tool used by the Divine to reveal His feelings of love for his children.   As President David O. McKay once said, “Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our soul.”

For those desperate to feel something inspiring and holy, or simply sweet and innocent, may I prescribe filling our lives with music that uplifts, edifies, and enriches the human spirit. Not all of us will agree on which genre or type of music accomplishes that goal, which is why it’s important to respect the musical tastes of others, including other denominations within the Christian tradition. I like this story told recently by President Russell M. Nelson when he spoke at the national convention of the NAACP:

“Many years ago, I had the privilege of hosting Reverend (Frans) Davis at a performance of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Now, we are quite proud of the Tabernacle Choir, which has been recognized literally the world over. When the concert ended, I asked Reverend Davis what he thought of the program. “It was very good,” he said graciously, “but it was lacking in spirit. If you want to experience spirit in music, you should come to my church.” So my wife and I did just that. And he was right. The energy in the Calvary Baptist Church choir was something to behold. While our taste in music might differ, I must say that he and his church have enhanced our city in a tangible way.”

Years ago, I worked on an album called “Songs of Praise” with a friend mine who was pastor at the Rock Church in Sugar House, Utah. Steele was using music to help hundreds of addicts explore a relationship with the Lord. I attended Steele’s worship service where his band led the congregation in singing with uplifted hands. This was foreign to me. Instead of seeing something wrong, I looked for what was good. I experienced a community of people anxious to be healed by the Lord. The beat of the drums felt like a war-cry for righteousness.

The energy of the room was overwhelming. At the end of the service, Steele sang “How Great Thou Art.” Tears filled my eyes. I was moved by his passion for Christ. I observed others in tears as well. What more could I offer in this moment. Rather, it was offered to me. I understood how music was vital to helping each one of us access spiritual feelings. Their worship was a tone of celebration. Christ had conquered the grave. Be happy! 

In addition to a weekly Latter-Day sacrament meeting, I try to regularly attend worship services in a variety of Christian churches where my testimony of the Savior has been strengthened by the music that is performed.  Indeed, I honestly enjoy the uplifting and spiritual effects of all kinds of worship music.

In conclusion, the Savior has blessed us with music to help us access His redeeming love. Whether you play an instrument, listen to your favorite album, or share a tune with someone in need, science is proving what the Savior has already given us.

Researchers at McGill University’s discovered “music was found both to improve the body’s immune system function and to reduce levels of stress. Listening to music was also found to be more effective than prescription drugs in reducing anxiety prior to surgery.” Likewise, according to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, a growing body of research attests patients who listened to music before medical procedures had less anxiety and less need for sedatives. People who listened to music in the operating room reported less discomfort during their procedure. And those who heard music in the recovery room used less opioid medication for pain.

MY LATEST ALBUM | PEACEFUL PIANO

Peaceful Piano offers listeners an hour of calm, thought-provoking melodies that invite a spirit of peace and hope. The album is a tribute to the past ten years since receiving a heart transplant. It echoes my gratitude for the Savior.

References

1.Doctrine & Covenants 19:18

2. Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 62, Issue 6, June 2012, Pages 664-676

3. Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Harvard Health Publishing,  https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-music-can-help-you-heal

4. President David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1945, 119

5. https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/music-medicine-has-huge-potential-study-suggests-225684

6.          “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.”
— President J. Reuben Clark Jr., in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111