Counsel from the Lord for the Weary Saints Crossing the Plains
Doctrine and Covenants 136:28–29
28 If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
29 If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“In one of the darkest hours in the history of the Church, when the weary members were crossing the plains, having been driven from their homes, the Lord through President Brigham Young said to them: ‘If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful’ (D&C 136:28–29).
“The Prophet Joseph Smith engaged in manly sports on the few occasions that came to him. President Brigham Young and his brethren built the Salt Lake Theatre and the Social Hall. The drama, the dance, and other entertainments were given to the members of the Church, and by this means they were edified and strengthened; all such entertainments were opened and closed with prayer.”
(Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 3:307.)
