Music: A Gift of Sharing

Oh what a wonderful week! 

It started off with transfers. I met my new companion, Elder Lange. He is great! He's from Germany, easy to talk to and we get along well. 

So, this last week was Stake Conference. We had one session on Saturday night and one Sunday afternoon. Initially, we weren't able to go on Saturday night because we didn't have anyone to go with us. However, this changed on Saturday morning, when the assistants asked me to aid Sister Buck and Sister Bulkley in a musical number for that session. We didn't need to bring a friend if we did so. So, we accepted the offer. 

We met an hour before the conference started and rehearsed the song a few times through. They had only been made aware of the musical number the night before, and although the time frame was short, we pulled together a marvelous musical number! The conference was all focused on missionary work and so it was fitting to have missionaries provide a musical number. 

However, the story did not end there. 

The next day, Sunday, we arrived to conference an hour and a half early. We headed to the foyer to greet some members and missionaries as they entered the building. At one point the Stake Primary President approached me and asked if I was the one who had played the night before. After confirming that I was the pianist, she told me that her 2 pianists were running late and that they were rehearsing the primary's musical number right then. She asked if I could help fill-in until they arrived. I did so. 

It was amazing to hear those little kids sing with full hearts and voices:

Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

“Suffer the children to come to me.”

Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.

Then their parents and leaders would reply:

Pray, He is there;

Speak, he is list’ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.

Before the conference began I was asked if I could play for the conference itself. I agreed to do so. What a blessing it was to bare testimony with them. True I didn't sing, but through the Piano, I was given the gift of sharing what was in my heart. I was able to help invite the spirit. Through my fingers, I was able to echo the words:

Pray, He is there;

Speak, He is list’ning.

You are His child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.

I love this song. It teaches divine truth so purely and simply. I add my witness that they are true. God does love us. He does listen, and He does care. 

I love you all! 

See miracles. Be miracles. 

Elder Burns