The sister who wrote the following letter was a member of the incredible Relief Society choir that sang for the general Relief Society broadcast September 27, 2008.
Hello Family and Friends -
Well, I broke down and decided to send a quick email to let you know that the choir for the General Women's Broadcast tomorrow night was selected from my area and I am in it. I just had to share some things I have learned and felt during the last seven weeks at rehearsals.
First, you will see that we are wearing white blouses. Some people have commented to me their surprise at the color choice (or lack thereof) but I have to tell you the story behind this. Sis. Beck, the General Relief Society President., stopped into our practice one night as a surprise and she spoke for a few minutes. First, I cannot describe the feeling she brought with her, the power of the Holy Ghost as she testified to us of the Lord's hand in this conference and her humble pleading for help in her talk. She said that as she has traveled the world, she has felt such a powerful need to communicate to the women worldwide, regardless of race, economics, etc. that we are sisters and ALL members of the LORD'S church--together. She said that she felt inspired to request that we wear white because everywhere she has gone, the women always show up in a clean white shirt somehow. She said she didn't know how it was possible in some areas to have anything clean let alone white, but they always come, somehow, in white, even if it is a tee-shirt, cleaned and turned inside out so the writing on it doesn't show.
So, she wanted them to see the choir and know that they could be part of it regardless of money or situation. They also asked us to not wear jewelry (or very minimal) so that women who are not sure where the next meal is coming from don't feel such an economic division between
Utah and them.
They have worked to prepare us spiritually as much as musically. From the first night, they have said, "The music is secondary. The testimony of Jesus Christ is primary." It is only about Him and the sisters out there. From the second we started rehearsing, the Spirit has been tangible and present. Every time, I leave feeling changed inside. At our first rehersal, they said that there wouldn't be any new or original special songs. They told us that the conference is translated into the various languages, except the music. The music is always in English. There are many versions of Hymnals in the world, but they don't have every song in them. In fact, there are only about 15-20 songs (if I remember correctly) common among them all. So, to unify the sisters again, they chose four of the songs that are in every hymnal, so even if they don't understand our language, they will know the song and feel it is their hymns and their Church.
The theme of the music is rejoicing and hope in the Savior. In light of world events of the recent days, I can't tell you the power and peace I feel when I practice these songs. I invite you to listen closely to the words of the songs. They have come to me with force I have rarely felt in music ~ for example: 'His kingdom cannot fail. He rules over earth and heaven.' When it seems that everyday something else is failing, His kingdom cannot fail. Or, 'I would learn the Healer's art', 'Find in Thee my strength my beacon', or just the simple phrase 'Lift up your hearts! Lift up your voice! Rejoice again I say rejoice.' I have felt things during this preparation time that I never dreamed of feeling or learning.
So, I felt the spirit say as I was practicing tonight ' 'Lift up your voice' and send some thoughts to those you love.' So, here are my thoughts and my love for whomever of you needs them. My testimony has never been stronger of Jesus Christ and his love for us. My favorite name for him is 'Savior.' I feel it in every fiber of my being. He will not fail us if we cleave to Him. It is a marvelous time to be on the earth and great things are happening in this Church! It is his kingdom we are a part of. It is a privilege to bear His name and to try to be like Him. It is worth fighting for and holding our standards high.
When we had our dress rehearsal in the Conference Center , and the organ started playing HUGE, and sound pouring out of the pipes over us, and singing with all the feeling of our souls, my heart felt like it would explode! I never considered how intimately the Savior watches over the preparations of conference, but I testify He is in every detail, every plan, every element of it. It is His conference, His church, His world, His people, His Love, and I am so grateful for the chance to sing my testimony to you tomorrow night! I will have you in my mind and heart! XXOO Sara
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Easy Like Sunday Morning
Driving home last night from an activity, the song came on the radio with the chorus line of "Easy Like Sunday Morning." SCREEEECCCHHHH.... wait a second here...
Sunday mornings are easy?
My typical Sunday morning is chaos. Dear husband is gone to Sunday meetings, leaving me alone to run around gathering up all the "entertainment" for church. I must get breakfast for four hungry people as well as getting the four of us dressed and looking presentable. Sometimes we forget things- lesson manuals, scriptures, tithing, handouts... and sometimes we're late... what's worse is we are the closest members to the building in the entire branch!! Sometimes we both have early morning meetings adding even more to the chaos.
Another interesting coincidence in the last four days was that we had Stake Conference. We had an amazing Stake Conference! In our Saturday evening adult session, we had a discussion about "Go to the house of Prayer.... and offer up thy sacraments" (D&C 59:9-10).
I see a pattern here. I think.
I learned quite a few things I can do to make things easy like Sunday morning. The first thing that stuck out in my mind was that preparation begins on Saturday, not when I get up on Sunday morning. The most important part of Sunday worship is partaking of the Sacrament. Remembering the sacrifice made for us by our Savior and covenanting again. An interesting comment made was that we can offer up our sacraments by letting go of the things that set us back, in other words- we repent and covenant to do better and be better.
Bishop Burton of the Presiding Bishopric also said he hoped we felt passion about the gospel and counseled us to use our gifts to bless the lives of those around us. It was a very inspiring conference. What I took away from it was a resolution to do a little better on Sunday mornings.
Easy like Sunday morning will yet happen in my life.
Sunday mornings are easy?
My typical Sunday morning is chaos. Dear husband is gone to Sunday meetings, leaving me alone to run around gathering up all the "entertainment" for church. I must get breakfast for four hungry people as well as getting the four of us dressed and looking presentable. Sometimes we forget things- lesson manuals, scriptures, tithing, handouts... and sometimes we're late... what's worse is we are the closest members to the building in the entire branch!! Sometimes we both have early morning meetings adding even more to the chaos.
Another interesting coincidence in the last four days was that we had Stake Conference. We had an amazing Stake Conference! In our Saturday evening adult session, we had a discussion about "Go to the house of Prayer.... and offer up thy sacraments" (D&C 59:9-10).
I see a pattern here. I think.
I learned quite a few things I can do to make things easy like Sunday morning. The first thing that stuck out in my mind was that preparation begins on Saturday, not when I get up on Sunday morning. The most important part of Sunday worship is partaking of the Sacrament. Remembering the sacrifice made for us by our Savior and covenanting again. An interesting comment made was that we can offer up our sacraments by letting go of the things that set us back, in other words- we repent and covenant to do better and be better.
Bishop Burton of the Presiding Bishopric also said he hoped we felt passion about the gospel and counseled us to use our gifts to bless the lives of those around us. It was a very inspiring conference. What I took away from it was a resolution to do a little better on Sunday mornings.
Easy like Sunday morning will yet happen in my life.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Is this really Tolerance?
From the account of a Relief Society President near San Francisco:
Dear family and friends,
I had a very disturbing experience yesterday that I would like to share with those of you that live outside of California (or outside of the San Francisco Bay Area).
This weekend we have stake conference. Our stake conference always begins with a stake temple session on Friday or Thursday night. Early Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric to let me know that there would be numerous protesters outside the temple, and to remind everyone to stay calm and to drive carefully.
The beautiful Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco, very close to the city of Berkeley. Apparently the opposition to proposition 8, the amendment that seeks to make marriage in CA between a man and a woman again, has realized the deep involvement of the church and begun to protest right outside of the temple and harass temple patrons.
The fastest way to get to the temple from our house is to take the 680 freeway, but the exit is a bit tricky. The off ramp is extremely short and straight uphill. You then make an almost blind left turn, an immediate right and another left into the parking lot. As we approached the off ramp, I realized there would be trouble. There was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the off ramp. As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street, yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the off ramp, ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car. It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to the left and proceed to the temple. I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got to the temple front door.
Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving on their own, were crying (which made me snap out of it and go into RS President mode to comfort them). Later, as I was sitting in the perfect quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people who mocked the Saints from the big spacious building but "we heeded them not."
It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go through an angry crowd to get to the temple. As we left late at night, the protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man.
Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting kind of scary out here.
Susanne
Dear family and friends,
I had a very disturbing experience yesterday that I would like to share with those of you that live outside of California (or outside of the San Francisco Bay Area).
This weekend we have stake conference. Our stake conference always begins with a stake temple session on Friday or Thursday night. Early Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric to let me know that there would be numerous protesters outside the temple, and to remind everyone to stay calm and to drive carefully.
The beautiful Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco, very close to the city of Berkeley. Apparently the opposition to proposition 8, the amendment that seeks to make marriage in CA between a man and a woman again, has realized the deep involvement of the church and begun to protest right outside of the temple and harass temple patrons.
The fastest way to get to the temple from our house is to take the 680 freeway, but the exit is a bit tricky. The off ramp is extremely short and straight uphill. You then make an almost blind left turn, an immediate right and another left into the parking lot. As we approached the off ramp, I realized there would be trouble. There was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the off ramp. As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street, yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the off ramp, ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car. It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to the left and proceed to the temple. I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got to the temple front door.
Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving on their own, were crying (which made me snap out of it and go into RS President mode to comfort them). Later, as I was sitting in the perfect quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people who mocked the Saints from the big spacious building but "we heeded them not."
It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go through an angry crowd to get to the temple. As we left late at night, the protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man.
Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting kind of scary out here.
Susanne
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Amazing Words
Elder Bednar speaks, in this video, about the impacts that Proposition 8 has on our countries religious freedoms. He calls it the tyranny of tolerance. Although it is immediately affecting California, this tyranny of tolerance will spread out quickly and be very bad. Watch the clip. I is only about 3-4 minutes.
http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/bednar_edit02_150k.flv&type=FLV
http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/bednar_edit02_150k.flv&type=FLV
Friday, October 3, 2008
Look at Massachusetts
Here is an example of what happens in the school system when same sex marriage is legalized. Notice how the parents were not notified beforehand and were unprepared to teach their children their family's views on the subject. The government was deciding what to teach the children, not the parents.
Here's the video
Here's the video
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Phantom Tollbooth
For any of you who haven't read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, I recommend it. It's witty, charming, and clever. Also for any of you who haven't read it, I'll give a little background and actually quote the part that caused me to reflect on the activities of my days ...
A boy named Milo is on a quest to rescue a couple of princesses accompanied by a watchdog named Tock and a bug named Humbug. They have arrived into some mountains full of demons and have just had a very unpleasant encounter with one of the demons. Then (and I quote) "just ahead, leaning comfortably against a dead tree, stood a very elegant-looking gentleman.
"He was beautifully dressed in a dark suit with a well-pressed shirt and tie. His shoes were polished, his nails were clean, his hat was well brushed, and a white handkerchief adorned his breast pocket. But his expression was somewhat blank. In fact, it was completely blank, for he had neither eyes, nose, nor mouth.
"Hello, little boy," he said, amiably shaking Milo by the hand. "And how's the faithful dog?" he inquired, giving Tock three or four strong and friendly pats. "And who is this handsome creature?" he asked, tipping his hat to the very pleased Humbug. "I'm so happy to see you all."
"What a pleasant surprise to meet someone so nice," they all thought, "and especially here."
"I wonder if you could spare me a little of your time," he inquired politely, "and help with a few small jobs?"
"Why, of course," said the Humbug cheerfully.
"Gladly," added Tock.
"Yes, indeed," said Milo, who wondered for just a moment how it was possible for someone so agreeable to have a face with no features at all.
"Splendid," he said happily, "for there are just three tasks. Firstly, I would like to move this pile from here to there," he explained, pointing to an enormous mound of fine sand; "but I'm afraid that all I have are these tiny tweezers." And he gave them to Milo, who immediately began transporting one grain at a time.
"Secondly, I would like to empty this well and fill the other; but I have no bucket, so you'll have to use this eye dropper." And he handed it to Tock, who undertook at once to carry one drop at a time from well to well.
"And, lastly, I must have a hole through this cliff, and here is a needle to dig it." The eager Humbug quickly set to work picking at the solid granite wall.
When they had all been safely started, the very pleasant man returned to the tree and, leaning against it once more, continued to stare vacantly down the trail, while Milo, Tock and the Humbug worked hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after ------
... After what seemed like days ... Milo's new pile of sand was hardly a pile at all. ...
[With a magic wand Milo finds out that] ... at the rate they were working, it would take each of them eight hundred and thirty-seven years to finish.
"Pardon me, ... but it's going to take eight hundred and thirty-seven years to do these jobs."
"Is that so?" replied the man, without even turning around. "Well, you'd better get on with it then."
"But it hardly seems worthwhile," said Milo softly.
"WORTHWHILE!" the man roared indignantly.
"All I mean was that perhaps it isn't too important," Milo repeated, trying not to be impolite.
"Of course it's not important," he snarled angrily. "I wouldn't have asked you to do it if I thought it was important." And now, as he turned to face them, he didn't seem quite so pleasant. ...
"What could be more important that doing unimportant things? If you stop to do enough of them, you'll never get to where you're going." He punctuated his last remark with a villainous laugh. "I am the Terrible Trivium, demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, and monster of habit."
... "But why do only unimportant things?" asked Milo, who suddenly remembered how much time he spent each day doing them.
"Think of all the trouble it saves," the man explained, and his face looked as if he'd be grinning an evil grin -- if he could grin at all. "If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing, and if it weren't for that dreadful magic stuff, you'd never know how much time you were wasting." (end of quote)
So after reading this portion of the book I paused to ponder:
Wherefore do ye aspend money for that which is not bread? and your blabour for that which satisfieth not?
How often do we help Satan with a "few small jobs" simply by not being at our original task of "rescuing the princesses" or in a sense, striving for exaltation? Why do we sometimes spend so much time doing the unimportant things, especially when they eternally can't satisfy?
I'll just leave my pondering at that and let you ponder the rest.
A boy named Milo is on a quest to rescue a couple of princesses accompanied by a watchdog named Tock and a bug named Humbug. They have arrived into some mountains full of demons and have just had a very unpleasant encounter with one of the demons. Then (and I quote) "just ahead, leaning comfortably against a dead tree, stood a very elegant-looking gentleman.
"He was beautifully dressed in a dark suit with a well-pressed shirt and tie. His shoes were polished, his nails were clean, his hat was well brushed, and a white handkerchief adorned his breast pocket. But his expression was somewhat blank. In fact, it was completely blank, for he had neither eyes, nose, nor mouth.
"Hello, little boy," he said, amiably shaking Milo by the hand. "And how's the faithful dog?" he inquired, giving Tock three or four strong and friendly pats. "And who is this handsome creature?" he asked, tipping his hat to the very pleased Humbug. "I'm so happy to see you all."
"What a pleasant surprise to meet someone so nice," they all thought, "and especially here."
"I wonder if you could spare me a little of your time," he inquired politely, "and help with a few small jobs?"
"Why, of course," said the Humbug cheerfully.
"Gladly," added Tock.
"Yes, indeed," said Milo, who wondered for just a moment how it was possible for someone so agreeable to have a face with no features at all.
"Splendid," he said happily, "for there are just three tasks. Firstly, I would like to move this pile from here to there," he explained, pointing to an enormous mound of fine sand; "but I'm afraid that all I have are these tiny tweezers." And he gave them to Milo, who immediately began transporting one grain at a time.
"Secondly, I would like to empty this well and fill the other; but I have no bucket, so you'll have to use this eye dropper." And he handed it to Tock, who undertook at once to carry one drop at a time from well to well.
"And, lastly, I must have a hole through this cliff, and here is a needle to dig it." The eager Humbug quickly set to work picking at the solid granite wall.
When they had all been safely started, the very pleasant man returned to the tree and, leaning against it once more, continued to stare vacantly down the trail, while Milo, Tock and the Humbug worked hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after ------
... After what seemed like days ... Milo's new pile of sand was hardly a pile at all. ...
[With a magic wand Milo finds out that] ... at the rate they were working, it would take each of them eight hundred and thirty-seven years to finish.
"Pardon me, ... but it's going to take eight hundred and thirty-seven years to do these jobs."
"Is that so?" replied the man, without even turning around. "Well, you'd better get on with it then."
"But it hardly seems worthwhile," said Milo softly.
"WORTHWHILE!" the man roared indignantly.
"All I mean was that perhaps it isn't too important," Milo repeated, trying not to be impolite.
"Of course it's not important," he snarled angrily. "I wouldn't have asked you to do it if I thought it was important." And now, as he turned to face them, he didn't seem quite so pleasant. ...
"What could be more important that doing unimportant things? If you stop to do enough of them, you'll never get to where you're going." He punctuated his last remark with a villainous laugh. "I am the Terrible Trivium, demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, and monster of habit."
... "But why do only unimportant things?" asked Milo, who suddenly remembered how much time he spent each day doing them.
"Think of all the trouble it saves," the man explained, and his face looked as if he'd be grinning an evil grin -- if he could grin at all. "If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing, and if it weren't for that dreadful magic stuff, you'd never know how much time you were wasting." (end of quote)
So after reading this portion of the book I paused to ponder:
Wherefore do ye aspend money for that which is not bread? and your blabour for that which satisfieth not?
How often do we help Satan with a "few small jobs" simply by not being at our original task of "rescuing the princesses" or in a sense, striving for exaltation? Why do we sometimes spend so much time doing the unimportant things, especially when they eternally can't satisfy?
I'll just leave my pondering at that and let you ponder the rest.
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