Today I began reading The Book of Mormon over again. Yes, I have read this book dozens of times in the 42 years since I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By this time reading it is like visiting an old friend--and learning new things! I am so grateful that for me so many promises in The Book of Mormon have been fulfilled. The Book of Mormon was the point that proved the line for me in regaining a testimony of The Bible. I love the way that foundational doctrines of Christianity are taught in The Book of Mormon, especially the Atonement, and the plan of salvation. I am blessed to be reading it again.
Since I was on my own to go to Music and the Spoken Word I decided to switch to the North side of the Tabernacle. For the rehearsal I was in the balcony, so I could see and hear pretty well--except for the tympani. I first heard tympani as an 8-year-old at the Christmas concert at the church my family attended when we moved to St. Louis--and I was enthralled. [At the same time I first learned to love cello music, but that is another topic!] From the South balcony at other times I had been able to watch the tympani, but I decided to see if I could get a seat on the ground floor on the North side--and that was successful. Except for the organ solo, the tympanist had a part in each of the pieces, and I was no more than 15 feet away--it was awesome! Others might think it a little strange that I did not care that I could not get a balanced hearing of the performance, but for me it was perfect. Of course, several of the pieces brought me to tears: Love is Spoken Here [especially in the verse that talks about having a home where priesthood power is a blessing--I so look forward to that!]; a Hallelujah Chorus by Beethoven; I Sing the Mighty Power of God, with words by Isaac Watts, set to the same tune to which we sing I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly; and How Firm a Foundation [the tympani really shone in that piece]. I will probably end up back in that spot a lot.
Our Relief Society lesson was based on an article from the August Ensign which was taken from a FairMormon Conference talk. I so much appreciated that talk [found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTg4ZKwtwQ ] and the article [found at
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/08/being-a-woman-an-eternal-perspective?lang=eng ]. The lesson was well-done, gave me a chance to share my testimony of the principles included, and gave me also an opportunity to share this here.
Today two other sisters and I got to host two Young Elders for supper. The missionaries who were assigned used to work on the International floor, and they had taught the Preach My Gospel lessons to my Cuban sister and me, so we were acquainted already. We all miss them on the International floor but they are now assigned to Data Quality, the zone that fixes Family Tree problems. It was so good to learn more of their experiences, and they seemed to enjoy the food. I actually tried a couple of new dishes today, Basmati Rice cooked in Onion Soup and a Baked Broccoli dish. My Cuban sister brought salad, and my Ukrainian sister brought dessert [pumpkin pie, ice cream bars, and frozen cream puffs--way to yummy!]. The elders were happy to take home leftovers for tomorrow, too.
I have a new home and visiting teacher--my Zone Leaders! They came and brought a message, which I so much appreciate, and we talked a little shop, since our shop talk is about the Lord's work. I had gotten an idea for in service lessons, and they liked my idea. So I will get to learn how to do Power Points really well, as we prepare our floor missionaries for the new training they will be experiencing.
I am grateful for the Sabbath--and tomorrow starts another week at the Library [although we get the day off Saturday for Conference.] Yes, the time is going quickly.
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