I remembered why I go to Stake Priesthood meeting.Who can say exactly where the difference between men and women lies?  Any qualities you ascribe to men women have to.  Though the flavor or inwardness of the quality seems different.  When you are reading some wise woman’s insight into the human condition and nodding along, her experience matching your point for point, does it not still feel like there is an elusive echo of some meaning you cannot hear?  Does it not feel like you are reading in translation?

***

I had two objectives for my young men today.  I wanted to give them a pep talk on singing–nothing for men to be ashamed of, some of the earliest singing was martial–the angel legions sing–J. Smith speaks of a new song we will sing at the end–with the pep talk followed by having them sing in unison just one note.  And I wanted to ask them, what does it mean to be a man?

We had time for these things during the YM’s hour.  We also had a little time for announcements.  “Stake Priesthood tonight, who needs a ride,” etc.

Then home for a potluck farewell and when the hour rolls around to drive the miles to the Stake Priesthood meeting, I’m ready to shirk.  In the moment, I cannot think of any particularly powerful memories from such meetings.  But Duty, Stern Daughter of the Voice of God and all that, so I go.

Then miles and miles through empty space, alone with the vast sky, plenty of time to think then the leafy pecan groves here and there, clustering thicker, until rising out what could be a forest, a white steeple.

I am a little late, so the organ plays its first booming note when I step into the chapel, and the overwhelming sound of men singing, and my voice joins in in power, my power added to their power.  “Rise up, o men of God!”  The sound of tremendous.  It is like living in thunder.

And I remember why I love Stake Priesthood meeting.

***

Only men can sing this way.