Sustenance

I just sang in a choir for our stake youth re-enactment of the Kirtland Temple dedication. They do this every four years as part of their seminary curriculum. I was part of a small adult choir that sang the Hosanna Anthem, which I forgot was insanely high throughout. I think maybe the human voice has evolved lower in the last 171 years.

The cultural hall was pretty well transformed with very detailed butcher paper drawings hung all around and pulpits constructed from risers and tables and wrapped in paper with hand-drawn detail. Completely done by seminary students, completely non-slick and non-produced.

The early leadership of the Church was portrayed by the gangly 15-, 16- and 17-year-old boys of our stake. Their readings were not particularly vivid or inspired. Their costumes consisted mostly of turning up the collars of their Arrow white shirts and tying their ties with big knots.

And when they stood up to sustain Joseph Smith along with the real Melchizedek Priesthood holders -- their dads and teachers in the audience -- followed by their 12-year-old brothers representing the Aaronic Priesthood, and then by the whole room -- my heart burned and tears filled my eyes. What an amazing opportunity to sustain the first prophet of this dispensation. That was an absolutely undeniable feeling.

As our stake president demonstrated the Hosanna shout in a tearful whisper, the same feeling.

Then we sang that crazy high song and it was powerful and beautiful.

The Spirit can make something so much more than we can. I am so grateful I was there for this one.