Come Listen To...

When I was serving in the Bellville Ward in Capetown for my second time, the ward  was putting together a gift of music for President Ezra Taft Benson.  Let me go back a bit further and the first time I served in the Bellville Ward and my first day in the field actually.  I met my new district leader and was taken out to our house in North Pine where I met my trainer Elder Jason Mayer.  After a couple of hours of unpacking and getting to know my comp I was told that we were going to Ward Choir practice.  My comp asked me what I sang in the choir.  "I don't" came my reply.  I was then told that I am  now.  Having never been in a choir previously I didn't know what section I should be in. I chose bass.  Good choice.  I must also mention my first choir instructor - and my all time favorite Brother C.D. Roode.  What a magnificent man.  He reminds me of the character in Mary Poppins, the uncle that loves to laugh.  Brother Roode had many similar mannerisms and is truly a gem of a man. 

So there we were in the Bellville Ward.  I can't remember the exact date but can say it was between December 1993 and March 1994.  The Ward put together a program for the Prophet that included talks and a lot of music.  As missionaries we were default members of the choir.  We learned many of the hymns that were prophet related.  One of those that I truly love is Come Listen To a Prophets Voice.  The program was recorded and sent off to Salt Lake City for President Benson.  Not too long after this President Benson passed.  It was a great experience and every time I sing those hymns I think about that time.

As today is General Conference I express my gratitude for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for conference weekends and the opportunity to participate in General Conference and to in fact Come Listen to a Prophets Voice and, as the hymn goes on to declare, Hear the Word of God.  That declaration is true.  What a blessing it is and has been in my life to know this.  I have been strengthened as I have listened to the words of the Prophets.  President Uchtdorf taught that the words of the Prophets spoken in conference will serve as a compass for our lives.  I have experienced that and look forward to that continued direction.  I hope that as I press forward I will do better in knowing and heeding those words.