I'm sitting at my computer, alone in my home, though not really alone because the Warlock has a bunch of guys over for UFC fight night. I'm preparing my lesson for the few young women in my ward that will show up for church tomorrow. I remember so clearly being a young woman in the church. My ward had fantastic leaders, and the things they said, I got. I absorbed their words like a sponge. Seriously.
As I go through these lessons, I can see how they helped me and patterned my life. And they have blessed me. Tomorrow my lesson will be on music. Once, at my in-laws house, my bro-in-law (Yeah, that's you Lex.) remarked that the only music I seemed to know anything about was church music. While not entirely true (I know lots of children's songs, choral music, and Disney soundtracks. :-)), I do have quite the repertoire of hymns and primary songs that I can sing or play on the piano at any moment (with music).
This is what Elder Packer says in his powerful, no-nonsense way about music.
I have countless "emergency channels." I used to sing as I walked to class in college. I remember making up songs and singing them on the playing ground in elementary school. I used to sing to Stacy constantly. She really never like anything except her primary songs. I guess she knew what the good stuff was. Just like Elder Packer said, the music I've been learning all my life, during family home evening, on my Dad's knee, from my Mom's boom box, at my piano, from my Young Women leaders, from my church and school choir directors, has created worthy "channels" for my thoughts.
So I don't know the most prominent artists of my highschool years. It drives the Warlock crazy. I guess the young men don't get the same lessons as the young women.
13 comments:
"Hum your favorite hymn. Sing out with vigor and vim. Resound a note, expound a quote. Hum your favorite hymn!" I can't remember if that was from Seminary, YW or Primary, but it certainly stuck with me. The hymns (especially the Primary songs) teach such great sermons and can be so comforting.
I hope that your Young Women today are listening to you with the same connection to the Spirit you had when you listened to your leaders.
My daughter is speaking in church today. She is going to tell about her choir tour. She is talking about how the music is her 2nd language on her mini-mission to spread the gospel. This talk you posted was the perfect thing to add to her talk. Thanks.
People at school would comment on my knowledge of music...or rather lack there of, all the time. I guess it runs in the family, because I name and play just about any hymn, primary song, or disney music that you put in front of me!
Not true about Stacy. She liked most of my devil music as well. Just not when you were around - it was our secret arrangement.
I never could see why it was such a big thing to know all the "in" muscians. Ocasionally they have a a song worth listening too. Usually, neither their music nor their lives are anything I want to know about. But then being "cool" isn't something I care about.
I love music, but so don't have a talent for it in singing or playing any instruments. I can dance to it, but that's about it!
I'm always impressed when your sisters are home and are called upon in RS to play the piano or lead. They do it so well, so I'm not surprised you love it too.
So when are YOU coming back to Montana so we can all meet that cute baby of yours? :o)
i love church music too. i was the RS 'music specialist' once (they really had to reach for callings in provo) and i loved learning more about the hymns.
also, i've discovered that i'll never please everyone with my music tastes so i'll just proudly listen to josh groban and profess complete ignorance in REM's repetoire. :)
How do you embed the links??? For example, in the sentence "This is what Elder Packer says in his powerful, no-nonsense way about music."
I've been trying to figure that out for weeks! :)
I have been thinking all morning about your post. It makes me like you all the more . . . I think we would have been friends in high school! I am so glad you are in YW to enlighten them and be such a good example.
It is amazing to me the power in music. I especially appreciated Elder Callister's words in the June Ensign about heavenly music. I think there are many composers who have made divine music that is often forgotten in today's world.
Anyways. Great post. And I love the new photos of your darlings.
Is it sad to say that most of my testimony has come through music? I recently joined the YW crew in our ward, and although I love the calling, I really miss my last calling, primary chorister.
I am right with you. No clue about the artist of my era. I was raised on country and big band though so I was so not cool. Good for you to have such a memory of wholesome music.
me too! I know way more music similar to what you know rather than the hits of my highschool years. But I also realized the radio in our hometown is still playing the same songs it played when I was in highschool!
'likes this' - Oh, that's Facebook!
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