Music and Women

What a privilege we have to attend General Relief Society Conference! I have a few thoughts about the conference. First I was overwhelmed spiritually with the feelings of belonging to this large women's organization. As we sang the opening song there were not many women in the chapel, but with my spiritual ears I could hear and feel the strength of all the women worldwide singing together in worship and praise. Thank you too all you who took the time to attend and share your spirit with the women worldwide. It was an amazing feeling and as Sister Beck spoke of how much we can accomplish together I realized the truth of her words. We really are a source of power for so much good in this world. I was also thankful for the reminder to get on my knees and ask the Lord who he needs me to serve.

Another thing that struck me was the choir as they sang. I immediately noticed their white blouses and black skirts (took me back to choir days in high school). They looked so well put together and so unified, but the part that amazed me was that even though each sister was dressed the same you still saw how different each sister was. It didn't take away from their identity, but rather made their identity stand out even more. You were not so much looking at their clothes as you were looking at each sister's beautiful face channeling her radiant spirit.

I was also thankful for the reminder from President Monson that each noble and amazing woman used to be a little girl. I will have to get that little saying out of the ensign when it comes out. I really appreciated that saying. I also appreciated the spirit that each speaker brought to the meeting. It amazed me that each and every talk you could tell that these speakers truly had sought out the Lord for what to say to us. It makes me wonder how much better the church would run if we sought the Lord's guidance in every calling. I'm sure that they feel the need to seek Him out for such great callings, but my thought was of how much better we would run His church if we sought His spirit to teach in primary, or to plan young women's activities, or even to know how the Lord would want you to run his church house library. I think sometimes when it's easy for us we forget to ask the Lord how he would have us do it.

Finally I would like to share my testimony of music with all of you. Last night each times a song was sung I found myself getting teared up whether singing or not. Then after that spirit was with me I longed to go to relief society today and share that, but first of all it was the fifth Sunday so no Relief Society. Secondly I was asked to substitute in primary. So I prayed that I might be able to feel that same spirit as I was in primary and the Lord answered my prayer with music.

The bishop taught in primary and he taught the children through song. First he shared with them the words and music of "Behold, a Royal Army," as well as "Called to Serve" and "I hope they call me on a mission." After that our sacrament was dedicated to talks on music and they were excellent. For some reason I needed to be reminded of the spirit of music. Maybe it was for planning our ward Christmas party. I don't know, but I know that music can touch the soul even when all other teachings fail. I have been amply uplifted and for that I am truly grateful to the Lord. I thank Him for the wonderful gift of music. Oddly enough I just remembered that today I was also offered the opportunity to sing in relief society on the 4th Sunday of October. What a musically blessed Sunday. Another opportunity to bear my testimony through music.

President Monson's quote from a poem:
You never know what a girl is worth,
You’ll have to wait and see;
But every woman in a noble place,
A girl once used to be.