Today was one of those rare days that I "on purpose" skipped singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their weekly broadcast, "Music and the Spoken Word". I knew about it for a while and wouldn't miss it for anything. As some of you know, I have another blog where I post music that I composed or arranged called LDS Happy Music. Today, my wife and I were in attendance to a fellow MoTab 's daughter's Mission homecoming where he was performing one of my recent arrangements. Let me backtrack bit.

I was approached a couple months ago by Bob to arrange a piece of music for his daughter's homecoming. I readily accepted the challenge. The piece is a well known hymn, both words and music. I won't go into specifics of what it was because the piece that was performed today was submitted for the 2015 LDS Music Submission. I will release it in May, after the submission deadline. But it turned out very well. I was very pleased with the outcome of that. But this blog post really isn't about that, it is, however what I observed in that Sacrament meeting.

I have seen it many times before, but today I was within feet of it, so I payed particular attention. In the Ward, there were some members who were deaf. They sat at the very front of the pews and an interpreter was there to assist. There were several things which I took particular notice of and could think of parallels that each of us - myself definately included can learn.

Taking pity

Unfortunately for me, my mind wandered and thought to myself if I were deaf, my job would be much ore challenging, and I probably wouldn't be in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir because of that. I took pity on them for what they don't have vs. what I have. And this is wrong! While they have their challenges, I'm sure they function quite well. We all have our spiritual challenges that we deal with. While our challenges may not be the same as someone else, we just keep going. If we stumble, we dust ourselves off and continue going. My opinion is that when we (read I) take pity on someone else for what they don't have, pride can enter in, judgement certainly does occur. I have humbly repented of my thoughts. I "dusted myself off" and continue to go onward.

Even though they can't hear, they understand

The members had total reliance on the interpreter to know what the speakers were saying. They followed intently as the interpreter knew what to say even though there was no script for him to follow. As the interpreter indicated things while signing, the people shook their heads in the affirmative. They understood. Even though we struggle with our shortcomings, we understand. Even though we cannot see our Heavenly Father, we have faith that He is indeed there. We can know and understand things though faith. If the members eyes wander from the interpreter, they will not get what is being said. We need to intently look to the Lord and listen to the spirit so we can really understand.

The interpreter

The interpreter was especially intriguing. As I mentioned, he had no script but knew what to say. The use of hands alone was not enough - his facial expressions as he emphasized various points was interesting to observe. His hands were skilled and nimble as he spelled out words where there was no motion to be made. Couple that with his expressions, he knew what to say. We have interpreters too. Some of the interpreters are unseen, yet felt. I am speaking of the ultimate bearer of truth - the Holy Ghost. He is our personal interpreter of the will of the Lord in our personal lives. He can help us discern truth from error. We also have visible interpreters in our prophets, seers and revelators. They have the responsibility of delivering the will of the Lord to us. We have the blessing of hearing them speak to us in a couple of weeks in the Semi-Annual General Conference. As we follow those interpreters, we will see the loving expressions as they deliver the talks they have fervently prayed over to deliver to the world.

Sing unto the Lord

As the opening hymn, Sacrament hymn, and closing hymn  were sung, the interpreter led the music for the deaf. The most intriguing thing for me is *how* they sung. They used their hands in a swirling motion. I immediately thought about the many congregations that I have sat in where the majority of the congregation had their arms folded in almost defiance and not a word sung, or lipped came from their mouths. Those that cannot hear a single note sang their hearts out with their lipped or sung words, and their hands. They get it. I have mentioned many times that sacred music is just another form of testimony. Music has a way of melting fear, and inviting the Spirit to abide with you.

I have been blessed to hear my arrangement being performed today. Tears streamed down my face as I heard and felt, but I learned much more observing and being taught by those who share in the gospel no matter their capabilities. Truly blessed are those that cannot hear, yet believe wheat they "hear". As the Savior counseled us, "Go, and do thou likewise".
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