Why Does the Music I Listen to Matter?

One reason why the music we listen to is important is that music can and does affect how we feel; therefore, music affects our ability to recognize the Holy Ghost. For the Strength of Youth teaches, “Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.” The prophets specifically tell us to “pay attention to how you feel when you are listening” to music. If you don’t think music affects how you feel, ask yourself why movie producers spend so much time and money on the musical score. How different would the movie Jaws be if the theme song for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood pops on when the shark fin pops up? It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .Hello, neighbor . . . (as the shark opens his mouth on the unsuspecting victim). That simple difference in music changes the moment from nail-biting suspense to laugh-out-loud comedy.