Let there be peace on earth...

I feel so blessed to live in Salt Lake and have so many opportunities for amazing FREE music! I went to the Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert (Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square with guests Brian Stokes Mitchell and Linda Eder) last night. My only previous exposure to Brian Stokes Mitchell was at a Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert several years ago. I had not heard of Linda Eder before. It was a treat to hear both of them!

The theme for this year's concert was "For Those Who Follow." It was a tribute not only to the pioneers who crossed the plains, but to the men and women of the armed forces, now and in the past, who have paved the way and who continue to fight for the freedoms we enjoy.

There were a couple of traditional Pioneer Day hymns. It wouldn't be Pioneer Day without "Come, Come, Ye Saints." I love the arrangement the choir sang, though! Unlike many others, it actually emphasizes "Happy day!" in the fourth verse. It does not get slower or switch to a minor key. In fact, the interlude between the third and fourth verses includes a modulation into a higher key. "And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well!" :)

Several of the other songs the choir shared are some of my favorites from them: America, the Dream Goes On; God Bless America; Battle Hymn of the Republic; and others

The first song Brian Stokes Mitchell sang was "What a Wonderful World." It was interesting to see others' faces during the singing: some of the choir members immediately behind him, and some of the people around me. You could tell by the eyes and the soft smiles who has a connection with the song. I love it. I'm not sure anything can outdo the Louis Armstrong version for me, but I love the song anyway.

He also sang "Wheels of a Dream." I don't remember hearing that one before, but it has such a wonderful message. For those who are not familiar with the song, it's a father singing to his newborn son, describing how he will show him America.

Then we got to hear Linda Eder. Her voice is gorgeous! It helps that it's a comfortable range to listen to, of course, but I'd love to hear more of her. She sang "If I Had My Way," written after September 11, 2001, and describing the peace we would love to see for all people. She also sang "I'll Be Seeing You." If I were typically a crier, I probably would have cried at that one! As she sang, they projected pictures of family members bidding goodbye to loved ones going off to war. Nearer to the end of the song, it changed to family members greeting their returning loved ones. It's a good reminder of the sacrifices made continually--not just by our armed forces, but by their families. It' a reminder that even though we have not all sent loved ones off to war, that as we go about our lives, we need to remember even the small freedoms we enjoy and the people who are still sacrificing to make that possible.

Brian Stokes Mitchell and Linda Eder joined each other, backed up by the choir, on the final song: "Let There Be Peace On Earth." The words are so simple, but the message is so powerful. Peace begins with individuals. We are children of God--meaning we are all family! I believe we can do our part to create peace, and to pray for peace. Even amidst the turmoil of the world, we can find peace within ourselves through the gospel of Jesus Christ, whose message is one of peace.

I can't really do the concert justice through my words. If you are able, I strongly recommend that you view it tonight on BYU-TV or online at 7 pm MDT. (That's 9 Eastern or 6 Pacific.) There will not be archives; I think it's either tonight or whenever it comes out on DVD. I hope you get a chance to see it; it seems like every time I go to one of these concerts, I think they can't possibly get any better. And then the next one is even better than the last. :)

The law of the fast

I found it very appropriate that I read the following verses this morning:

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to dealt thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.... (Isaiah 58:6-9)

I had the opportunity today to join with others in fasting for a good friend. As Isaiah describes, fasting is not about afflicting ourselves. It is about undoing heavy burdens and breaking every yoke. And though we may fast physically, if we do so with the proper attitude, we also partake of a spiritual feast.

I have felt an outpouring of the Spirit today in my fast. I have felt the burden of worry for this friend lifted from my own shoulders, and I hope that she has felt her burden lifted (or at least lightened) as well. I have felt the love of my Savior; as Isaiah wrote: "thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."

I truly am grateful for the opportunity to fast each month and for the strength I receive through fasting. I am grateful for the power of fasting and prayer, especially as friends and family unite their faith together. I have learned that when the Lord asks for a sacrifice, He also provides blessings that far outweigh the sacrifice. He is always waiting to bless His children. He loves us, and He stands ready to lighten our burdens and speak peace to our minds and hearts, if we will turn to him, place our trust in Him, and lay our burdens at His feet. Fasting is an opportunity to learn humility and to draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to learn unity among ourselves. It is an opportunity to serve and to experience charity--the pure love of Christ. I thank my Heavenly Father for this opportunity and for His great love!