Hello to whomever is out there that
cares to listen! I am doing well:)
I really think I need to start a
"Guest's say the darndest Things" list. People really are so crazy
sometimes...but because they are all children
of God I won't tell you some of the really crazy things I hear here on Temple
Square but here is one example. As part of the tour we do an acoustic demonstration
in the Tabernacle. We first tear a piece of newspaper and then drop 3
straight pins and in contrast one small nail. The purpose of this demonstration
is to help the guest see the magnificent acoustics of this
legendary building! But we get responses like this, "So, I understand
the symbolism behind the tearing of the newspaper, you know, that the
media in the world is corrupt and your church doesn't want to be
involved in it, but I really am struggling with
the symbolism behind the droppings of the pins." Another funny one was, "As Mormon
missionaries you have to wear a flower in your hair right?"........I know
why they say this because a lot of the Sisters in an attempt to spruce up their
outfits wear things in their hair. I
love the off the wall things people say, they brighten my day:) We hear a lot crazier
things than these that I won't mention.
We got to meet with Richard Elliot one
of the organist for the MO TAB early Wednesday morning. He did a whole
presentation about the Tabernacle, organs, and specifically the organ in the
Tabernacle. It was great because we talk to people about this organ every day. It's good to get some legit information about
how organs work and be able to answer questions.
I often think back when I was a
young lass sitting at aunt Martha's house and Uncle Hughy had Mo Tab
playing and I ignorantly said, "I don't like Mo Tab - the words all
jumble together, and I really just don't think they are that great." PSSH... I was not very
cool.....I absolutely love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and
in specific the organ. I could listen to that organ all day. There is a special
spirit that comes from that building and that organ. It was built by Joseph
Ridges who grew up in London across the street from an organ factory.
He first heard about the church in Australia where he was taught the
gospel. Brigham Young got word that there was an organ builder
in Australia and asked him to construct and organ for the Tabernacle,
so Joseph Ridges obediently picked up his little family and came by
boat to California and headed towards the Salt Lake Valley. There are
a few things about this story that impresses me. First, how good Brigham Young was at noticing
the talents of others that could help build the Kingdom of God, and INVITING
THE MEMBERS TO ACT, and use their talents for good. Second, how willing Joseph
was to respond to the call, and the because of his efforts and diligence thousands
and thousands of people come to Temple Square every week just to hear this organ.
Brother Elliot didn't go into all
that but he did play "Come, Come ye Saints." I have never heard this
rendition of the Hymn and I seriously wept as I sat in those Choir seats. I felt
once again those feelings I had in
Nauvoo, that those early Saints were
near me.
I know this Gospel is true, and I
personally cannot deny the spirit that testifies to me over and over
again through the history, journals, artifacts, and buildings left from the
early members of this church. If you don't have a testimony of
the truthfulness of the gospel read, listen, sing, see
the testimonies left by the millions that came before you, that God
lives, he is there for you, and he loves you. It is my prayer that each of us
continues on the path that will lead us to our Father in heaven. As Elder
Holland admonished us, "If you've made covenants, keep them. If you
haven't made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and
repair them. It
is never
too late so long as the master of the vineyard says there is time.
Sister Reynders
No comments:
Post a Comment