Today, as I was helping my wife in her calling at our Bi-Stake Family History Discovery Day, I was helping other people with their FamilySearch login information as well as preparing names to be printed for a colorful fan chart. As I met with people, they expressed their appreciation for what I was doing.

I was initially there as a participant to go to some of the classes to find out more, but I saw and felt the need to be with my wife as she fulfilled her calling as a member of the Stake Family History department and Ward Family History Consultant. My mind wandered back to when she was set apart for the calling. I remember the words pronounced upon her head as the Bishopric said something to the effect of, "..you will and can draw upon the heavens as well your husband in support of your calling.." To be put into that list was, and is sobering. "...the path of duty was clear.."

As I was assisting others, my screen top picture popped up many times. I have a picture depicting Temple Square in the Springtime. In one side, you can see the Tabernacle, and centered in the pictures, behind the blooming trees, you can see the Salt Lake Temple. I love this picture. Every time it pops up, it reminds me of MY calling. One sister who I helped, remarked about the picture. I told her that the building on the left (the Tabernacle) is where I spend my Sunday morning's. She said, "Oh, you're in the choir?" I acknowledged that I do. Then she jokingly said, but you don't have a calling, you sing. I said oh, yes I do. I have one of the best callings in the world. So, to that end, I'd like to explain my calling - not to justify, but rather to educate others.

I am officially set apart as a service missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a goodwill ambassador in the church as a musical missionary. I have been set apart by the Choir President, who has been set apart by the Prophet of the Lord. This is my short, but very clear calling pedigree. I am expected, as a musical missionary to live my life as if a full-time missionary in word, deed, and thought. My calling is basically to share the gospel and testimony through music.

Sunday mornings, I am responsible to be dressed in the suit and tie that is pre-chosen to be worn that Sunday and in the choir loft by 7:25AM. The weekly live "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast starts at 9:30AM. Often we will stay after the broadcast is over to practice music for an upcoming event. In the case of tomorrow, we will begin our practice for next week's General Conference. This goes until 11:30AM. That is the typical Sunday for us.

Thursday evenings are typically our rehearsal evenings, where we practice the music for the next "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast. They are then, taped and timed to make sure that we are within the time allotted to fit for the 30 minute broadcast. We typically begin at 7:00pm and end at 9:30pm.

When we have special events, our practice time will be increased to Tuesday, and sometimes Wednesdays evenings. In the case of next week, we will practice Tuesday evening as well as Thursday evening. In the case of events, such as Pioneer Day, Christmas and other special concerts we will practice the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings with concerts on Friday and Saturday. And of course, on Sunday, the regular "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast must go on (the show must go on) :)

The music we perform for the "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcasts typically shows up in our box the week before. As a new choir member, there is much more work to learn our parts outside of choir. And if the music is to be sung by memory, there is even more practice required. As the years of service in the choir increase, the pieces that we sing are known so that they become "old hat", but we still need to re-familiar ourselves with the music. There is always a new piece thrown in, so we "old timers" cannot just sit back. :)

I have felt and experienced heaven's help in my calling. I have seen tears being wiped away after singing a particular song, I have seen the look of happiness on faces. I have felt God's presence and His angels round about in us as we sang our testimonies of Him. These experiences and feelings will long linger after my service in the choir has ended.

As I was set apart in my calling, I can remember some of the words pronounced upon my head that said in effect, that "I can can call upon heaven to help me in my calling as well my wife who will be blessed as she supports me in my calling". Interesting, isn't it?  Two blessings by two completely different people who do not know each other, yet the words are remarkably similar in nature. Not a coincidence in any way, shape or form, but pronounced by two of the Lord's servants who sought heaven's help in setting us apart in our service callings.

My wife has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, and support in my calling. She understands the importance of support in callings as do I. We compliment each other in support our each other's callings. This is an extension of the right hand raised in support of a calling. I, as well as my wife love our callings. We try the best we can to magnify our callings. We both pray for heaven's help in our callings that we can touch lives.

The people that I helped today in my small way at the Family History Discovery Day were very appreciative of the help. It is my hope and prayer that they will catch the importance of family history and that there are others beyond the veil that are also appreciate that they have taken the steps to start doing research. The people that are in attendance tomorrow at the "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast as well as those who may tune in, may also need heaven's help. They may be carrying a tremendous load and, just perhaps part of a song that we sing, or part of the spoken word that is spoken will be an answer for them. That is my hope and prayer.

And that is the way that by magnifying callings and doing the very best they can see lives changed by doing our very best in our small way. "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."



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