MTC Week #28 - Give Oh Give

From Catherine Davis, a West Virginia
missionary who said, "I feel so blessed
to know Pres. & Sis. Pitt. Thanks for
changing my life for the better!"

Veering off the Tabernacle Choir path just a bit, I wanted to first thank my parents for all of the service they provided to those in West Virginia these past three years. They recently returned from serving as mission presidents there and today they were asked to speak in church and share some of their experiences. It was very evident as they spoke that their mission experiences have a) deeply increased their love of the Savior Jesus Christ; b) deepened their love for individuals in general; c) helped them gain more gospel and scripture knowledge and insights; d) and above all, has helped them experience previously unknown blessings that come from serving others.

Serving others is a wonderful win-win opportunity. You learn to love those you serve, and those you serve love you back. I saw that love today as there was standing room only at the church service and hundreds that showed up afterwards at their home for a reception. As I helped shuttle people up to the house from parking quite far away, they all said the same thing: "We just love your parents. They are such good people!"

At our Music & Spoken Word broadcast today, one of the songs we sang was "Give, Said the Little Stream." It's typically sung by children during primary but its lyrics apply to all of us, young or old. They lyrics are simple and nature-based. Here's a little stream who is constantly giving to all as it goes down the hill. The grass, the plants, the flowers are all benefited by the life-giving water. There's a verse about the rain that provides life to all it falls upon. And then there's the last verse which I quote here: 

Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:

For God and others live.

Just as my parents gave 24x7 service to missionaries for three years, we can all give of ourselves each and every day. Opportunities for service abound and taking advantage of them will most certainly help us be happier and help us love others as the Savior loves them.

As an aside, I just want to say what a joy it was to sing that song today.

Ryan Murphy conducting "Give Said
the Little Stream"

Ryan Murphy, who arranged this version, is literally aglow when he conducts it and his smile and enthusiasm just come into my heart making me happy. He knows the value of giving and when I sang today, I was reminded of that important truth.

Until next time...God be with you.

PS: If you can't make it to our Pioneer Day Summer Song Celebration Concert, check out the info HERE as to other ways you can watch it. It's going to be a fun one.