It was a beautiful Friday in downtown Salt Lake City. I had pre-arranged to get some General Conference tickets to a dear friend via the will call ticket office. I arrived at about 11:45am and saw that the line was about 50 people deep.
“Great! I wonder how long this will take?”, I thought and mumbled to myself. I resigned myself to get in line. “All of this just to drop off some tickets. They should have a line for that. I bet I’d be the only one in that line.” I further murmured in my mind. “Oh well, best to do it now”. As I stood in line, I could hear various conversations going on. I picked up on a few that I thought I’d share as a lesson, mainly for me but it may benefit you too.
Conversation #1
“Is this your first time to Conference?”, one person asked. “No, I have been here many times, but this is my first as an RM (Returned Missionary).” I notice that the second person had a thick accent, so I turned around to see who it was. I could tell almost immediately that this person was an Australian. The tie with prints of kangaroos might have been a dead giveaway. And after concentrating on the voice, I knew it was Australian. I chimed in to the conversation. “Where are you from?”, I asked. I always ask when I hear or see a missionary from Australia as my EC (Eternal Companion) served her mission in Adelaide. “Brisbin (Brisbaine)” he replied. It turned out that this young man served his Mission in the Salt Lake Valley and was returning, not only for Conference but his Missionary Reunion. He went on to say that one of the best parts of his mission was listening to the choir every Sunday in the Tabernacle. I smiled.
Conversation #2
“Now we have to wait just a little longer”, a woman said to her friend who was in line with her. The young man’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “I can’t believe that I get to be in the same room as the prophet.”, he exclaimed. She put her arms around him and gave him a big hug. I chimed in “Are you from around here?” She acknowledged she was, but the person she was with was an exchange student from Bolivia. She went on to explain that they were fortunate in getting an exchange student that was also a member of the church. And when he found out that he was going to be staying in Salt Lake City, all he could talk about was General Conference. His attitude was infectious – very infectious.
Conversation #3
“And this that building with the domed roof over there is the home of the Tabernacle Choir”, a person was explaining to a couple. In his very rough English, he said, “yes, I will see them in person tomorrow. I so excited!” I once again chimed in. “You like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?” “Oh yes”, the man exclaimed. The person the couple was with explained to me that he was the missionary that baptized them while serving his mission in Africa. He flew them all the way out from Africa to Utah so they could accomplish two very important things – attend General Conference for the very first time, and be sealed to his wife in the Salt Lake Temple. My eyes welled up. I told them that I was honored to be a member of the Tabernacle Choir. His eyes got very large. “Really? You?” I smiled and said yes. He shook my hand for what seemed to be 5 minutes, thanking me. He went to tell me in his broken English (I had to really pay attention) that the Tabernacle Choir is what got him interested in the church. He listened to the Music and the Spoken Word broadcasts and loved the music. He said he felt something special when he heard them sing. I congratulated them on their sealing for time and eternity and, sadly it was my time to go into the ticket office.
I wish I could have lingered in that line longer. What turned from murmuring because I had to wait in line for 20 minutes turned into deep gratitude to my Father in Heaven for having those people around me that changed my heart and attitude in just a matter of a few moments. Heavenly Father gave me a gentle reminder that, especially at Conference, there are many who are experiencing it for the first time. It is sort of akin to seeing the eyes and joy of a child who comes into the room to see what Santa had brought them. Only these people’s eyes reflected the joy of the gospel waiting to see what Heavenly Father will bring them in the way of spiritual knowledge and gifts. What spiritual things are you wanting to hear this General Conference?
I am truly blessed have my small part in General Conference as a member of the Tabernacle Choir and know that the music which will be sung can inspire, testify, make one filled with joy, and make one sob - it does for me. The music is just one part of what will be a special General Conference. May your supplications to the Lord be answered, whether by the Spirit answering your prayer directly or via the speakers. I can testify that it can and does that. And many lives and hearts can be changed from music, speakers, or even overheard conversations.
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