I have,
for all intents and purposes, been a member of the church all of my
life. I have done all of the standard activities including, but not
limited to: church meetings, temple trips, youth conference, general
conference, meetings with General Authorities, and more. I saw
something today, however, that I have never seen personally before.
My daughter and I have been practicing for over a month to sing a duet in Sacrament Meeting at church. The song we chose to sing is the primary song, "A Child's Prayer". Sung as a duet, it is a conversation between a Child and her parent. The child asks if Heavenly Father actually hears and answers prayer, and the parent, reassures the child that they are indeed heard and that children are so precious to Him.
We got up to sing. We were prepared, we had practiced, and if I might say so without sounding too proud, we sounded pretty good. The song started, and as my daughter sang her part, her breath gave out to nervousness and her voice failed. She was so embarrassed. The song stopped. I held her. She ran off the stand in embarrassment. My wife and I followed her out.
What happened next was the most amazing thing I believe I have ever witnessed personally. A group of 6 young women, got up, essentially as one, and went out after her to comfort their sister who was hurting. These young women then proceeded to convince her to get back up and sing and so that she wouldn't feel alone, they would sing with her (even though they had not practiced and were not prepared). At this point, I was also in tears and was concerned that I would not be able to sing my part of the duet. My wife came and sang my part of the duet with me (so I wouldn't be alone - thank you, honey). I am no professional singer, and neither are these girls (though, I must say that my daughter has talents that lie in that direction). There are not words to describe the sound that came from the pulpit this morning, but I can authoritatively say that it was the single most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard in my life.
I am reminded of a scripture in the Book of Mormon. We covenant with God at the time of our baptism to "bear one another's burdens", "mourn with those who mourn" and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8-9). I saw that in action today. I have never seen such a beautiful group of young women in all my life. Today, they were an example of the boundless mercy of the Savior. They taught a young woman that she was valuable and loved. They taught me that even with all the evil influences arrayed against those who wish to follow the Savior in today's world, that there are still some who are willing to raise youth that are powerful pillars of good.
I am blessed beyond measure to associate with these young women and their families. I am grateful for the opportunity that my daughter has to associate with them, to learn from them, to be strengthened by them, and to share HER strength with them.
I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord that remind me as a father that the efforts that we make to teach our children do NOT fall on deaf ears, but that there are miracles that happen even today.
My daughter and I have been practicing for over a month to sing a duet in Sacrament Meeting at church. The song we chose to sing is the primary song, "A Child's Prayer". Sung as a duet, it is a conversation between a Child and her parent. The child asks if Heavenly Father actually hears and answers prayer, and the parent, reassures the child that they are indeed heard and that children are so precious to Him.
We got up to sing. We were prepared, we had practiced, and if I might say so without sounding too proud, we sounded pretty good. The song started, and as my daughter sang her part, her breath gave out to nervousness and her voice failed. She was so embarrassed. The song stopped. I held her. She ran off the stand in embarrassment. My wife and I followed her out.
What happened next was the most amazing thing I believe I have ever witnessed personally. A group of 6 young women, got up, essentially as one, and went out after her to comfort their sister who was hurting. These young women then proceeded to convince her to get back up and sing and so that she wouldn't feel alone, they would sing with her (even though they had not practiced and were not prepared). At this point, I was also in tears and was concerned that I would not be able to sing my part of the duet. My wife came and sang my part of the duet with me (so I wouldn't be alone - thank you, honey). I am no professional singer, and neither are these girls (though, I must say that my daughter has talents that lie in that direction). There are not words to describe the sound that came from the pulpit this morning, but I can authoritatively say that it was the single most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard in my life.
I am reminded of a scripture in the Book of Mormon. We covenant with God at the time of our baptism to "bear one another's burdens", "mourn with those who mourn" and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8-9). I saw that in action today. I have never seen such a beautiful group of young women in all my life. Today, they were an example of the boundless mercy of the Savior. They taught a young woman that she was valuable and loved. They taught me that even with all the evil influences arrayed against those who wish to follow the Savior in today's world, that there are still some who are willing to raise youth that are powerful pillars of good.
I am blessed beyond measure to associate with these young women and their families. I am grateful for the opportunity that my daughter has to associate with them, to learn from them, to be strengthened by them, and to share HER strength with them.
I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord that remind me as a father that the efforts that we make to teach our children do NOT fall on deaf ears, but that there are miracles that happen even today.
- Josh
