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| Our grandson in Hawaii REK |
Full Circle
I
feel like I have come full circle. For the first 21 years of my life I
lived in Utah. Since we were married we have lived in two different
countries as well as Arizona and Hawaii. It has been quite an adventure.
Now we are back in Utah, and I appreciate all those who have welcomed
us back.
We were given two topics to choose from. I chose to give my talk
on music. Not because I am an expert in it, but I have been surrounded
with it all my life. As I grew up, my father played a reel to reel tape
player with beautiful songs sung by Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Nat
King Cole, Neil Diamond and others that had soothing voices and
meaningful lyrics. My father also served as chorister for many years.
Some of you knew my mother could sing and my two sisters have beautiful
soprano voices. My brother hosts a sing-a-long every Christmas at his
home.
Surrounded by Music
My
husband learned to play the guitar at the Polynesian Cultural Center so
he could have a job singing for the tourists. He used his singing in
our courting in Provo while he was attending BYU. After we were married I
returned to Utah with two of our children for a few months, he then
wrote me a Tongan Love Song. My song now plays on the radio station A3Z
in Tonga.
We have always been inspired to play music in our home,
especially on Sunday. We listen to the hymns or classical music to keep
us focused on the Sabbath Day. We have nearly always had musical
instruments in our home, at least a guitar, an ukulele and a piano so
the children could choose if they wanted to play them.
We often sang with our
missionaries in Tonga. The Tongans have a natural ability to harmonize
and share the Gospel through music. We taught the missionaries how to
sing Love One Another in sign language. Singing it together in mission
conferences always brought the spirit to our gatherings. I was asked to
teach a small choir at the Tonga Side School once a week. Several of the
children were of other faiths. We sang together many of the Primary
Songs that we all know and love.
I also worked in the Fine Arts Department at BYU Hawaii. I loved
that job. Our building was full of students who were aspiring singers. I
could listen to their warm ups and singing lessons every day. It was
thrilling to hear them progress in their singing abilities. Each
Christmas, the Concert Choir would share Handel’s Messiah. It was a
great reminder of the purpose for Christmas.
Whether we realize it
or not, our heart is a spiritual instrument. It is always
playing"musical notes and songs" which arise to God's ears. They are
either pleasant sounds or notes of discord depending on the condition of
our heart.
There are many very skilled singers in our world today. Many seek
their own glory with their musical abilities. I believe that those who
really influence others have a higher desire and recognize where their
talents come from.
Our daughter (who is about as musical as I am) is married to a
great man who is a member of the Tabernacle Choir. Our oldest son’s
children have been involved in international choirs since he serves in
the military and has lived in many countries. Our second son, Joel and
his wife met through the Concert Choir at BYUH. Her father was one of
the professors I worked with for several years. They share their talents
at church, weddings, funerals and concerts. Our youngest son, Jacob, is
a singer/song writer known as Cubworld who shares his talent with many.
So you see, I AM really surrounded by music.
Music is the Universal Language
In
Colossians 3:16 it says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” We
need not have a trained voice to sing praises to God because he listens
to our hearts.
Ephesians 5:19 says to us: "...Speak to one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord."
The Psalms of David were actual pieces of music which were
sung...Scripture songs to us today. They all came from a pure heart
which were voiced through music to God. For us, it is putting God's Word
to music which is a pleasant and delightful sound to His ears when it
come from a genuine heart. If our heart does not match up with His Word,
we are not in tune but rather off key. We should not seek glory to
ourselves through the talents he has given us.
Music flows from heaven to the soul. Hymns are songs of praise
addressed back to God. I believe we were given music as God’s little
reminder that there is something else besides us in this universe. Music
is the universal language.
Heart Strings
Our
hearts have many "strings" to it which we play upon constantly...our
words, our actions, our motivations, our thoughts. In order to play
skillfully we must allow the Holy Spirit to bring every "heart string"
into that perfect pitch which is a pleasant sound to the Father's
ears..."giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
When we lived in American Samoa, we were known in our
neighborhood as the “singing family”. The homes were quite open without
walls and with floor to ceiling screens to keep out the insects. The
electricity would shut off usually in the evenings. To keep the children
from being frightened, we would sing familiar songs which would calm
them . Sometimes music is the only thing that gets your mind off of
everything else.
We worked in the Oquirrh Temple the last couple of years.
Preparation meeting always includes singing hymns. In Matthew 26:30 it
tells how a hymn was sung by the Twelve Apostles before the Lord retired
to Gethsemane.
Songs are used to
comfort the sick and dying. You have perhaps heard of Michael Ballam. He
visited BYU Hawaii and gave a presentation while I was there. He is a
native of Logan and has performed in several operas throughout the
world. At one time, he became very ill and lost his voice. For over a
year he was silent.
Many people tried to help Michael, and he was humbled by the
selfless service of others. He eventually recovered and vowed to be more
in tune so he could help others. He wrote about the Healing Power of
Music. He sings for residents of nursing homes and prisoners or others
in need. He gives encouragement or solace to those that are in need of
it. He is an at-large music missionary - a roving ambassador of goodwill
with a tenor voice.
Our granddaughter, the youngest of 12 beautiful children was
blessed with a sweet voice. Although she was born with spina bifida and
spends most of her day in a wheel chair, she has been singing since she
was very young. Her parents encouraged her to keep singing and her voice
blesses our whole family and many others.
A picture on the wall at Dad’s quotes Zechariah 2:10 “Sing and
rejoice O daughter of Zion. For, Lo, I come and I will dwell in the
midst of thee, saith the Lord”.
Music definitely is important to our family. I am grateful we
have the opportunity to sing the hymns of praise to show our
thankfulness for all we receive each day. I hope when we sing our hearts
match our voices.
The ukulele is usually associated with Hawaiian music. But, before the haole (white) missionaries came to Hawaii, the Hawaiians knew very little about melody. They performed solo chants without any accompaniment for ceremonies and rituals with a monotone voice. Hawaiians also used pahu (drums), double gourds (ipu heke), or uliuli (gourd rattles), and also slapped their hands on their chests (pai umauma) to accompany dancers. The ukulele came much later.
