Bradley Brights

This last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to sing in the choir at the General Relief Society Broadcast. Two months ago my Relief Society President asked if I would be willing to participate in the choir. It didn't take me a second to say "YES!" I was excited from the beginning for the opportunity and that was before I even knew what I was getting into. I got the schedule of practices and it looked like to me that we would have 6 three-hour practices before the performance. We also got a page, front and back, full of what to do and what not to do during the performance. I was a little irritated that there were so many rules. Of course, my next question was, what will we wear? I was disappointed that it was boring old white button up shirts and black skirts. "How dull," I thought. All those feelings quickly dissipated as I began to feel the real spirit of what I was doing.

I wish I could write eloquently enough so that you all could feel the same thing I have felt during the past 6 weeks. I first want to say that I count this as a tremendous blessing, a tender mercy even, given to me during one of the saddest times in my life. These last several weeks have provided me with many emotions and I couldn't think of a better way to top it all off than to sing for the Prophet of the Lord and the women of the world. "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (Doctrine and Covenants 25:12)

If I were going to the practices to simply learn the notes and correct tempo, I would have missed out on so much. During the three hours that was scheduled, it was a good night if we got and hour and a half of practice time in. The rest of the time was spent being spiritually fed through devotionals, scripture study, and prayer. Sister Allred and Sister Thompson and other members of the General Relief Society Board spoke to us each time. We also heard from stake presidents of the stakes that were involved. And mostly we heard from our wonderful choir director, Sister Jolley. If there was anyone that was given the right name, it was Sister Jolley. She was a short (I'm short, so I know short when I see it) little round woman, who didn't leave us once without sharing her testimony, tears, and lots of laughter. I'm thankful for her service to us.

On the day of the performance Sister Beck spoke to us before we sang. She bore testimony that we were not only singing for us, or those that were looking for us on t.v., but that we were singing for women across the world. It didn't really dawn on me that I would be doing that until then. Women in Europe and Africa and South America and Asia even would listen to us sing! Amazing. She also explained how the songs were picked. At a meeting that Sister Beck was attending she noticed that the only time people were really engaged was when their was singing and that their involvement improved ten fold when they recognized the tune. She had the General Music Board make a list of all the hymns that were in every single hymn book around the world. There are only 20. Of that list, she had another board rate them 1-10 of how popular they were with the saints, 1 being very popular, 10 being not so much. We only sang #1 songs. Songs that the sisters of the world would be able to think of the words in their minds as we sang it in our language.

We then practiced while the Conference Center lights, sound, and camera crews worked to see what would work best with us. They fed us lunch- a simple sack lunch with a sandwich, chips, carrots, cookie, and drink. We chatted with each other and found new friendships. Then it was time to get into our seats.

One of the most amazing things to me was the sound of the audience. 20,000 women create a lot of chatter, but from where I was sitting it didn't sound like talking, it sounded more like the waves of the ocean. More like the soothing sound of water. We stood for the Prophet to walk in. He turned to the choir and waved to us and gestured a reminder to smile. Then it was performance time. I complained earlier about the white shirts, but I tell you, without sounding boastful or vain, we looked like a choir of angles. I'm sure were were joined by a few as well. Then it was all over. That was the fastest conference meeting that I have ever been to. It went by too quickly. I wanted to dwell in the peaceful joyous feelings of being there, with so many that stood for the same things I did. But, alas that would not serve the purposes of the Lord here on the earth. It was eventually time for me to leave.

What I have left are the memories and gratitude. Gratitude for my relief society president for being inspired to ask me to do this choir even before I knew I would need an extra blessing. Gratitude for the sisters I drove to the practices with each week who gave me lots of laughter. Gratitude for James and his help with taking care of the kids while I was gone so much, especially on Sunday nights, the hardest night of the week in my opinion. Gratitude for the many people who organized all the logistics of a modern day choir that's complete with security checks these days. Gratitude for my Heavenly Father who knows each one of us and wants us to be happy. Gratitude for my Savior who atoned and felt the pain of not only our sins, but every sorrow we might feel. No matter how little. Gratitude that I have been blessed with such a sure understanding that He lives and I can live with him someday.

If you're interested in viewing the broadcast, click on this link:

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english&articleid=037

If you're interested in seeing me- the best shot is "As Sisters In Zion." I'm second row up, three seats in from the isle, behind the flutes. The best shot of me is at the very end when the flutes are being shown.