I had the lucky privilege of singing in conference! The past several weeks we have been rehearsing hymns and arrangement of hymns in preparation for this extraordinary event. Though rehearsals were a taxing, it was worth the trouble.
We were bussed down early in the morning that Saturday and arrived in the middle of the first session. We did a warmup and were soon on our way! Once the choir was out of the conference center from the first session we were in. We were even being seated as some of the audience was still leaving. We did a few run throughs and were seated. All the while we had people working for the church running up and down isles making sure that our collars were up high enough, that shirts of the same color weren't grouped too tightly together, and that we were arranged in a way that was appropriate to our height. I was really impressed with how organized the church was. From the time or our arrival, everything was scheduled out for us. Even before we arrived we had workers attend our practices and make sure that we had the right kind of clothing (it had to fit a certain criteria), the music was sounding appropriate, ect. And we had to fill out all kinds of forms giving the church permission to use our image and such. So a lot of work went into us being there.
While seated on the stand I noticed a few things. For one, the stand seemed much smaller, and for another, the conference center was huge! I think we had the best seats in the house because we had this lovely panoramic view of the whole center. It was lovely and very architecturally impressive. As I watched the seventy make their way in, it struck me how much they loved each other. They really did! They were giving each other hugs and patting each other on the back. It seemed like they were in the middle of a family reunion.
I was also struck with another thought. As I was watching all the men enter and take their seats, I couldn't help but notice that they were all very human. This sounds silly because of course they are human! We all know that! But their demeanor, the way they interacted with each other, and even their execution of the tasks at hand was all very human. It seemed to me that this huge conference that we had had such trouble preparing for and getting to, was just another church meeting. Though a lot of work and prayer was put into it, it was simply a meeting with a purpose of declaring truth. It almost had a business feel to it, though it was distinguished by a very prevalent spirit. And the messages shared...ah...so amazing. In observing all of this I couldn't help but have the thought, "There is nothing to signify a distinction between these men up here on the stand and many righteous men serving within the church." There was nothing unusual about them - nothing to drastically set them apart from the rest of the fold. It struck me that there are many wonderful men that are bishops, teachers, advisers, etc. that are very similar to those serving in high offices. The difference -and there is one- is that the prophet of the church and the apostles wear the mantle of their calling. They are set apart in authority and the ability for them to receive revelation as it relates to their calling. They are distinguished because God distinguished them - not necessarily because they could do a better job than the ordinary man who are steadily and honorably serving in another capacity in the church - like my old seminary teacher, for instance. They are all men of God. They all serve a purpose. That much I do know.
As I watched the seventy, quorum of the twelve, and first presidency take their seats, my heart swelled with love and testimony for each one. They were called of God. They have a great responsibility placed on them and I hope that my prayers for them do touch them as well as many other prayers. The spirit whispered that these were prophets and apostles called of God for our latter days. They were about to share messages that would serve as a voice of warning for us as we struggle in a world that is filled with terror and heart ache.
I found myself very pensive as I sat, gazing across a vast crowd. There were so many people of great faith gathered together. I could feel that their faith brought the spirit into the meeting. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." How much more glorious was the spirit when so many were gathered in his name!
Now, I do have to speak of the singing. We had rehearsed our pieces many times, but the sound that we produced in that meeting was nothing like what we had ever previously done. I think we had some major help. When we entreat the spirit, the spirit can perform miracles through us. I don't doubt that we were helped to sing the way we had been taught and that things were brought back to our memory. I also wouldn't doubt that other unseen voices were being heard as well. I would not be surprised to learn of this in the next life because I know we are Never Alone.
I am so grateful for the experience. I would be utterly selfish if I did not recognize that there may have been many people who would be envious of the opportunity we had. I hope that in my heart I do not take this for granted. This was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Similarly, we live in an age of many technological advances. I have grown up hearing the prophet's voice through many outlets. The television, computer, DVDs etc. I feel that because these resources are so readily available, we are not as excited to put them to use. We may become a little more indifferent. Because of their availability we find it easier to "procrastinate the day of our [study]" (Alma 34:33). It is my plea (myself included), that we treasure up the words of the prophets as we would precious gems. Like Nephi, lets delight in the words given us and ponder them continually (1 Nephi 4:6).
