Confessing His Hand and Taking Joy in It

I believe it's important for us to recognize when God acts in our lives--even in small ways.  I'm really not so worried about God's anger, because of course I don't want to anger Him, but I can refer back to Doctrine and Covenants 59:21, which reads, "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."  Obedience--sure.  But then we should also be confessing or acknowledging His hand in "all things".

As I was sitting in a friend's ward in Montana this last Sunday, during the administration of the sacrament, I remembered an experience from many years ago.  I'll relate it here:

When my wife and I still lived in Logan, Utah, in a married student ward, I served for a time as the ward choir director.  I enjoy music and I think I was always happy to serve in this calling.  We had a pianist at the time who was very skilled, which was a pleasure.  For one occasion--just a regular sacrament meeting, with no special guests--I prepared to have the choir sing, "Come, O Thou King of Kings".  It was an arrangement like what I've often done with hymns, where we sing them as written in the hymnbook but selectively use some of the parts for some verses or parts of verses and then sing full harmony at other times.

I think I felt reasonably confident about the choir's impending performance as the time approached, but on the day of the performance something strange happened.  We were joined by several people I hadn't ever seen before.  They were roughly about 3-5 men and women I didn't know.  Any Church choir director tends to welcome additions to the choir--more often than not, we feel shorthanded--even if it's the day of the performance, and so I was happy to have people join us.  I assumed they were members of the ward that I didn't know.  I quickly indicated how we were singing the hymn, probably by giving copies of papers that showed the arrangement, and then the choir sang.  It was excellent, and powerful.  When a sister from the ward stood to speak immediately afterward, she began with a compliment to the choir, saying something to the effect of, "Wow; that was really good!"

I don't think I ever saw those people again.  Assuming that they were ward members, I figured I would see them around more, but I think I only ever saw them that one time.  Maybe they were in the ward but didn't attend frequently, maybe some of them were visitors, and maybe I just didn't pay attention to my ward well enough to know everyone who was there, but whoever they were, they were angels that day.  I don't know if someone attending that day needed extra inspiration or if there might have been some particular reason why a great song from the choir would have been needed.  Maybe it was simply a gift from God to brighten all of our lives, and to let us know that He was there and loved us.

Last thoughts for now:

As I reflected on the memory last Sunday, I remembered it with great joy, and I felt that it was simply important for me to recognize and appreciate God acting in my life.  I try to show gratitude to Him frequently in prayer, but I'm sure I still take some things for granted.  Perhaps it is strange to think of something out of the blue that happened almost two decades ago, but even so I believe it's important to recognize the good that God does for us, and to take joy in His love and gifts.

Inspired Words

Elder Neil L. Anderson was the final speaker for the 2010 Spring General Conference, aside from President Monson. He commented, as I've heard before, that none of the speakers are assigned topics, but that God guides His servants through revelation. It astounds me how the speakers so naturally reinforce themes and speak to such relevant concerns for our time. The guidance of the Holy Ghost during General Conference truly is a wonderful thing.

I've often heard people say that they felt a given talk was written just for them because it applied to them so directly or touched them so deeply. I loved the talks that were given, but I actually felt that pieces of the conference were actually given for other people I know. Some friends of ours are experiencing a challenge in their marriage right now, and as I watched the Saturday morning session I thought of them several times. A talk in the afternoon session seemed perfectly applicable to them. Today's messages seemed to reinforce ideas that we had shared with another friend last night (as we talked until about 3:00 am).

I am so grateful for living prophets. As I hear their words I feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and for everyone. At times, General Conference can be downright thrilling; it is most certainly inspiring. I'm grateful also for the strength the Holy Ghost gives me as I listen to God's servants.

Last thoughts for now:
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church and that He has called prophets to lead and help us. I know that these prophets speak by revelation and I know by revelation that their words are true. I know that God loves and cares for us, wants us to know the truth, and wants us to be happy.

Blessings and Food

It's strange to me when I arrive at an event where people have already begun to eat, and someone says, "The food has already been blessed," as if to suggest that I don't need to pray. What does "blessed food" even mean? I explain to the person that I still need to thank my Heavenly Father and then I pray. I get the impression that people believe that, somehow, when they pray and ask Heavenly Father to "bless the food", the stuff will change and be more healthy for us, and that's why they're praying in the first place. People also get unnecessarily confused about how to pray when they are about to eat a dessert, not wanting to say something like, "Please bless these cookies to nourish and strengthen our bodies..."

Call me nitpicky, but I pay attention to details and I try very much to be correct even in small things. I never say that we "bless" the food before eating, because I don't think it makes any sense.

The word "blessing" has two basic definitions. First, blessings are any good things that happen to us. Often, they are the natural consequences of our righteous actions; they're God's reward for doing what is right. At other times, we will be blessed because of others' actions or even just their prayers. In short, they're good things in our lives. It makes sense to ask Heavenly Father to bless us that we will be well nourished by food. By a second definition, blessings are priesthood ordinances. We perform ordinances in service to people, not food.

It certainly is appropriate to pray to God before we eat: it's important for us to express gratitude to our Father who provides everything for us.

Last thoughts for now:
I hope to always show gratitude to God. "Blessing" food doesn't make any sense, but I'll always pray before I eat, even if I'm about to eat brownies or ice cream.