Journey Behind the Notes: MTC Week #66

As I sit here pondering over what to include in this post (as Conference weekend is always so full of thoughts and experiences), I thought it best to just write what's in my heart. I suppose I can't go wrong taking that route, can I?

General Conference is something I always look forward to. Even before I was in the choir, I had such feelings of anticipation. It's a time when I feel a lot of warmth and a lot of light. It's a time when I feel unity as church members from across the planet come together and show their faith--faith that as they listen to both the words spoken and the music performed, they will be inspired to be more like Jesus Christ.

Being in the choir has only added to the "general conference experience." And today, being Easter, I was extremely grateful to sing songs about Christ, His life, His teachings, and His resurrection. I love my Savior and I acknowledge the enormous impact He has had in my life. Sharing my testimony and love of Him through music this day was a treasure and great blessing.

One of the ways it was a great blessing was being able to sing at all. Health-wise this past week, I've felt fine but I've had this nagging cough which has made it difficult to sing. (Any of you who have tried to sing while resisting the urge to cough can certainly relate) For much of the rehearsal time this week, I simply had to mouth the words while sucking on lozenges and drinking lots of water. But through prayers and blessings from heaven, I was able to sing just fine yesterday and today. A tiny, personalized, Easter miracle.

Another way it has been a blessing was watching the 1st-year folks make their choir singing debut as they were each assigned one of the conference sessions to sing at. Talking to several throughout the week, they were both nervous but excited. And today I saw a lot of both of those emotions reflected in their countenances. It brought me back to just a year ago when I was in their shoes. Their excitement helped generate excitement for me and I was grateful to have been with them yesterday and today.

There were so many great songs we sang today that I'm at a loss of which one to focus on. However, if you were to combine all of the messages of these great songs, I think the theme could be summed up by a phrase from one of the children's songs we sang today called He Sent His Son:

Have faith, have hope,Live like His Son,Help others on their way.

Isn't that what it's all about? Christ's atonement, Christ's resurrection, Christ's entire life of service and instruction...it's all so that each of us can have faith and hope in Him, improve and be like Him, and then employ our efforts to helping others.

Two last things I want to say.

First, I want to thank my fellow basses for their friendship and for their excellent musicianship. I want to thank the fine organists and conductors for their talents. And I want to thank my wife and family for their support while I sang this weekend.

Second, for all of you who watched any or all of conference, just remember that we improve little by little. Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming to hear all of this great counsel from prophets and apostles and then figure out where to start implementing it all. Take one thing, make one goal, and go from there :)

Until next time, God be with you.

(below are some random pics)