MORMON SOPRANO

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2008 Re-dedication

On January 4, 2008, after four years of extensive renovation, the Utah State Capitol building held a formal Re-dedication ceremony. The ceremony’s 2008 program was based on the program used during the original dedication in 1916.

Included among the many performances was a new musical commission entitled “Anthem for a New Year: Into Light”. The lyrics were a new poem written by Utah’s Poet Laureate Katharine Coles, PhD, and set to music by Utah composer Kurt Bestor.  The premeire was conducted by Craig Jessop, and the extensive cast of local performers included The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, The Bells on Temple Square, the 23rd Army Band, the International Children’s Choir, and the Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir School.

“Into Light” compares the cold dark winter dawning slowly into spring as an allegory for our personal opportunities to change with the season, reach for new possibilities, and become beings of light.

“Lift us again, moon for the season.
From its warm nest the bird breaks into flight.
Set loose we spin with earth into blue,
Heaven’s dome turning us back into light.”

Video Courtesy Kurt Bestor

Historic Trivia: The dedicatory prayer for this ceremony was given by the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley. This would be his final public appearance. He passed away 3 weeks later, on Jan. 27, 2008 at the age of 97.

“On the 20th Day of Christmas countdown, we make a little noise…
in poetic praise of cookies, bells, and other seasonal joys!”

Click to listen: “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by The Philadelphia Brass

HALLELUJAH!

Merry Christmas – spicy smells
Sounds of joy, jingling bells;
Candy canes, mistletoe,
Popcorn strings, candleglow;
~~~~~
Merry Christmas – snow-flocked trees,
Pinecone balls, cranberries;
Satin bows, stockings hung,
Cookie treats, carols sung;
~~~~~
Merry Christmas – starlit skies,
Gingerbread, fragrant pies.
On the go, sharing fun -
Christ is born, the Holy One.

~~~~~

by Berta Mason Kusik

“On The 9th Day of Christmas, MoSop shared a poem…. to lighten up your holiday home!”

Christmas Time

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas time,
Our family starts to complain and whine
There is snow to shovel, and food to prepare
The in-laws are coming, with no time to spare
There are too many goodies affecting our waist
But we can’t resist having “just one little taste”!

~~~~~~

Dad is in bed, he’s come down with the flu
Poor little Sarah can’t find her lost shoe
Mom and the kids have to string up the lights
But wires are tangled and all start to fight
There’s shopping and baking and wrapping to do
And poor little Sarah still can’t find her shoe!

~~~~~~

But wait! Stop! What is Christmas about?
The Christ-child of course, there isn’t a doubt!
So let’s pray for Daddy, and find Sarah’s shoe
Untangle the lights, and try something new
We’ll all work together, and have a fun time
Remember the Christ child, and His birth divine.

~~~~~~

[special thanks to the MP2 Relief Society Sisters]

Today’s a great day to celebrate  the season – and wax a bit poetic. 

SPRING THINGS

A brand new Robin graced my land

He hopped and he sang

Eyes glowing bright

Welcoming Spring with his boundless delight

A brand new ring graced Marianne’s hand

She hopped and she sang

Eyes glowing bright

Welcoming Spring with her bridal light.

~MoSop 4/13/09

Through all eternity
to thee
A joyful song I’ll raise,
For oh!
Eternity is too short
To utter all thy praise.
~ Joseph Addison

“Our God Is A God Of Love”

“Our God Is A God of Love
Love Is His Greatest Gift To Us
Love Is Our Greatest Gift To Him
To Love is Eternal
To Love is Infinite

Love is indeed Heaven On Earth
For there is no Heaven without it
Blessed is a family where love abides
Blessed are the children who’s fondest memories
Are of such Love

Our God Is A God of Love
Love Is His Greatest Gift To Us
Love Is Our Greatest Gift To Him
To Love is Eternal
To Love is Infinite
Infinite…

I wish all you a very happy St. Valentine’s Day weekend. Although this holiday has sadly morphed into a commercial venture, it offers us an opportunity to express our love for others, and to contemplate God’s Love for us. For all intents and purposes, Our Savior Jesus Christ could be considered the greatest Valentine Gift the world has ever received.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

When we do something a little extra for those around us, we are also expressing our love for our Father in Heaven, and His daily gifts to us.

Sweetheart Cookies

My mother-in-law loves traditions, and she always makes sure holidays are extra special. Every Valentine’s Day she sets to work making delicious heart-shaped sugar cookies which she lovingly decorates, and then carefully inscribes the name of each of her children and grandchildren on a personalized cookie. Her “sweetheart cookies” have become quite famous. It seems each year she has doubled and tripled the batch from the previous years. Her gift has not remained exclusive to her family, but extended to friends and neighbors, and even strangers. This has become a treasured tradition that we all look forward to. It’s not just the anticipation of eating such a mouthwatering treat, but the joy of receiving something so personal and which represents our mother’s effort, kindness and love for us individually. As she bestows her selfless service upon each small confectionery creation, she is performing an act which warms the soul, and cheers the heart. Perhaps in this case, even a cookie can represent something eternal and infinite.

Indeed, Mom exemplifies the Apostle Paul’s council:

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”. - Ephesians 5:2

Let us seek to give the best Valentine gift’s all year long. We do this as we choose gifts which mirror the love of God. Pure, Selfless, Sincere. With “no strings attached”.

Perhaps there is no greater treasure, and no more perfect valentine than the profound simplicity of these three little words:

“I Love You“. – MoSop

The dog had diarrhea.

Thus begins the tale of my “sad song day”. But first, my dog Joey had gas. It started the night before. Those of you with dogs know that canine flatulence is just about one of the most unpleasant things we put up with for love of our furry friends. But this was a particularly bad case. So I was actually eager to log in a full day of work at the office. I assumed like all the other times before, this particular embarrassing condition would resolve itself before my return.

I assumed wrong.

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Dr. Mack Wilberg has written a new arrangement of the American Folk Hymn entitled “My Song in the Night” which is hauntingly beautiful. I have tried to do some research online regarding its origin and history, and came up a bit empty-handed. However, the text to this hymn is particularly haunting. The words invoke an attitude of deep personal pleading:

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It has been quite a long while since I have posted. Over my life as a regular “journaler” I have found it is often the case that when I have been particularly busy, I find it difficult to find time to “write it all down”. Sadly this usually coincides with the most profound or important events of my life. It is easy to miss the opportunity to record our most precious earthly moments. (more…)

Today is Easter Sunday. A little trivia: It is the earliest calendar date that Easter will be celebrated for nearly two centuries.  The Christian world is commemorating (more…)