When Becky and I were teenagers in Ohio, we had an opportunity to sing in a girl's trio. Becky sang alto and I sang second soprano. Another friend sang the lead. That made sense because Becky and I could read music and hold our own parts. The other girl did better on melody. The problem was that the other girl lived pretty far away, while Becky and I were neighbors.
Because Becky and I lived so close, we were often together riding the bus to school, car-pooling to or from activities, or just hanging out. Sometimes we wanted to practice the trio song we were preparing for a Church program. Imagine how silly we sounded singing just the two harmony parts WITHOUT THE MELODY or any accompaniment. Little did we care! We wanted to get our parts down cold. And we did.
The other day I was thinking about that time way back then. I have been reading a book about the signs of the times. This book contains prophecies and counsel about the last days prior to the Lord's Second Coming. Some of those signs are pretty upsetting, pointing to calamities and wickedness that will run rampant throughout the world. But there are also exciting promises for those who are righteous and stay true to the counsels of the Lord and His prophets.
Because Becky and I lived so close, we were often together riding the bus to school, car-pooling to or from activities, or just hanging out. Sometimes we wanted to practice the trio song we were preparing for a Church program. Imagine how silly we sounded singing just the two harmony parts WITHOUT THE MELODY or any accompaniment. Little did we care! We wanted to get our parts down cold. And we did.
The other day I was thinking about that time way back then. I have been reading a book about the signs of the times. This book contains prophecies and counsel about the last days prior to the Lord's Second Coming. Some of those signs are pretty upsetting, pointing to calamities and wickedness that will run rampant throughout the world. But there are also exciting promises for those who are righteous and stay true to the counsels of the Lord and His prophets.
"For Such a Time as This" (the title of our song) is a quote from the Biblical story of Esther, a Jewish woman of exceptional beauty who was chosen to be Queen of Persia. Her uncle Mordecai assured her that this would possibly put her in a favorable position to help her people someday. That day came when the Jews were about to be sought out and killed according to the King's decree. Mordecai sent word to Esther, "...but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) At great peril to her own life, and after much prayer and fasting, Esther approached the King and was able to influence him to save her people.
That song's message was all about how we have been saved for such a time as this. This is the time when strong, valiant, righteous souls will be called upon to stand firm in the face of adversity and temptation by striving to stay true to their covenants with God to become a people ready to meet the Savior when He comes.
I can't help contemplating how Becky and I managed to sing just our harmony parts without the help of either melody or accompaniment. In a way, that is a metaphor for staying strong amidst the calamities and temptations of the world. How did we do it?
Well, good musicians can hear in their heads more than just their own part. They can imagine the melody, rhythm and accompaniment going along as they sing their part. Perhaps that can be likened to staying on the covenant path without wavering all while remembering that we, indeed, were sent for such a time as this.
I can't help contemplating how Becky and I managed to sing just our harmony parts without the help of either melody or accompaniment. In a way, that is a metaphor for staying strong amidst the calamities and temptations of the world. How did we do it?
Well, good musicians can hear in their heads more than just their own part. They can imagine the melody, rhythm and accompaniment going along as they sing their part. Perhaps that can be likened to staying on the covenant path without wavering all while remembering that we, indeed, were sent for such a time as this.
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