One of the challenges of singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, at least for me, is doing all I can to have this experience effectively supplement the traditional worshiping within a ward (congregational) setting. The Choir leadership is a very big advocate of Choir members being an integral part of their ward, just like they were before they joined the choir. That's easier said, than done, however. Particularly when every other year, my ward meets at 9am, which is right during choir. That is my reality this year. What usually happens, is I get home, the family comes home from church, we have some lunch, and then I attend a different ward's sacrament meeting. After that, I come back home since I've already been away from family most of the day--although technically, I could stay for the other two hours. But since it's not my ward, and because I miss my family, I don't.
So, while I do get some worshiping in during Sacrament Meeting, I try really hard to have my choir experience be a worship experience as well. LDS.org defines worshiping as "giving God our love, reverence, service, and devotion." It also gives some examples of worshiping, including prayer, joining in fellowship with others who worship Him, participating in priesthood ordinances, and having an inward, worshipful attitude.
Today I feel like I can claim success. The scriptures say that "the song of the righteous is a prayer unto Me (God)." And the songs we sang today felt very much like extraordinarily deep and emotional prayers. I think many of us in the Choir felt that. The songs were just amazingly beautiful and spiritually potent. In fact, I overheard one choir member say that his experience today was almost a "cleansing"--in that he felt like he was washed clean of sin and was eager to move forward.
During the run-through this morning, we ended with "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" which is one of my favorite songs we sing. After we finished, the feeling in the room was one of reverence and awe and everyone just sat there, quietly, taking it all in. When our director, Mack, was finished consulting with the technical crew, he asked "Why is it so quiet?"
I miss the people in my ward. I miss making connections one year, only to put them on hold the next. And then try and go back to them a year later. And I miss the Sunday School and Priesthood meeting discussions where I learn more about the Gospel I believe in. But, I am thankful that my choir experience can be a worship experience. I just need to remember that just because it can, doesn't mean it automatically will. I need to work for it, and pray for it, and go to choir with a worshipful attitude. Then, my worshiping through music can effectively supplement the limited worship experiences I receive at church.
Until next time, God be with YOU.
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