VOICE OF ANGELS

 

Yesterday was a very special day and my gratitude was full for the simple blessing of having a voice. Due to a very sore throat the week before, all last week I was struggling to breathe at night and fighting sniffles too.  Our ward and stake choirs performed last night and though I had tried to sing, I was very limited in volume and my voice would crack, much the same as if I had attended a BYU football game the night before and I had a bad cold to boot.  I really had to take it easy just to be able to speak.  Well, as it is the case with me, when I am in trouble, I usually reach out in prayer when I don’t know what else I can do to solve the situation.  I didn’t give it much more thought, but sure enough my prayers were answered as they usually are.

No he did not remove the struggle, I could still hardly breathe and talking was very difficult, but I went ahead with the programs and did my part.  The Lord did his and as has happened frequently to me and the choirs I have sung in, when we have put forth our best efforts, no matter how hampered, strained or meager, the Lord sent his help in abundance.  I could see in the faces of the audience that they were pleased.  Many thanked me afterward for the beautiful singing, at which time I replied in a raspy, barely audible voice, “…Then you weren’t listening to me!”  Truly, they could not have heard me, but I do not doubt that what they heard was genuinely beautiful.  I heard it too! 

My voice was far softer than usual and I could hear the other singers around me and we were in tune, but there was an additional fullness, both in the afternoon and evening performances that was not present in any of our rehearsals.  In fact, there were parts of several pieces that had previously caused the directors of the two choirs physical pain as expressed in their unwilling grimaces.  We were not polished in the least, yet the productions went off without a hitch and all were uplifted.

This is not the first time I have noticed this phenomenon, yet it has not always happened when we were needy.  I have sung in choirs for 48 years and there have been special occasions like this in the past, but where poor performance was not expected.  One such time was at the Timpanogos Temple for its dedication.  We were one of the choirs and we had rehearsed very well and sounded good.  We had a great director and had done the work to earn ourselves a superior score if we had performed at a competition.  But, this was no competition.

It was, however, an event where the best efforts of man were offered up to God for His approval.  As I stood behind President Hinkley and sang.  Though I sang at my full volume and then some that day fff, I could feel and hear additional voices join into our small choir, giving it the sound of multitudes.  No, I am a soundman and know what echo in a room does.  The effect was far above what a little reverb would produce.  I believed it to be angels singing with us.  I hear them from time to time and know that at special times we can be privileged to join with them in praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas.