Like so many other disciplines (speaking, writing, teaching) playing or arranging music requires more or less constant hard-work and practice.  Every once in a while amongst all the routine labor and sometimes difficult mechanics of arranging, it all just fits.  These are the moments when hard-work, consistent effort, and the grace and guidance of the Spirit unite for just a moment, allowing us to feel (and remember) celestial light.  One of the speakers at our conference noted that each of us are given divine attributes to help us along our journey in mortality. When we use those talents in reverence and humility, doing our best to build up the kingdom of God and just become an instrument – a part of the whole work – that’s when we can feel at one with the Lord.  This year, this conference, was such a moment for me; a moment of majesty in service and spirit.  How grateful I am for a loving Father that endows us with talents and encourages us to use them for our good and his glory.

A fair question with a reasonably easy answer: to help proclaim truth and spread beauty. Altruistic? I suppose it is a bit; but I hope it doesn’t sound proud or patronizing.Music resonates with me in myriad ways, most of which I cannot fully explain in words. Recognizing a world of melody, rhythm, harmony and tone as an acute inner language, one that best expresses my “true” self, ranks among my earliest memories. As I become older I more fully enjoy the depth, meaning and practical understanding of words like “love”, “peace”, “companion”, “family”, “knowledge”, “light”, and “God.” Music, and its unique ability to precisely articulate an eternal language, prepared in my soul the seeds of these important concepts; music continues to broaden my understanding of beauty and truth that I hope someday will bear eternal fruits.

My experience with music, learning and the spirit convinces me that the prophets are right: “Music has boundless powers for moving [us] toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel … [It] can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. [It] can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.” (The First Presidency Preface, HYMNS, 1985)

My musical ability comes from a loving and gracious Heavenly Father who blesses me with talents. My arrangements represent my own expression of testimony concerning the truths found in the sacred settings we call hymns. I believe and hope that, in a small measure, these hymn arrangements can assist wards and stakes in their efforts to preach the gospel.

I count among my greatest blessings the continual opportunity to write and arrange for choirs in the church, large and small. My life’s mission includes sharing my talents so as to uplift, inspire and encourage goodness; it is to educate and uplift by teaching truth and spreading beauty.

President Thomas S. Monson noted today, in General Conference, that “we’ve been blessed by the fine talks which have been given, we’ve also been uplifted by the beautiful music which has been provided. We are abundantly blessed in the church by those who share their musical talents with us.”

Music is my gift; it is my testimony. I am happy to share what I’ve been so freely given. And I am blessed, and honored, to participate in the process.