Me Thinks

I went to the temple that day in May and I felt stressed-out, heavy-burdened and emotionally fragile.  At the time, I was serving as an administrator of a large girl's camp that served 92 stakes.  I had over 3,500 girls registered to come to camp and camp was to start in two weeks, but there was no water at the camp.  The old water tank needed to be replaced (by order of the county) and crews had attempted to work through the cold winter to build a new water tank (to the price of $550,000), but the weather was not cooperating and the work was not finished.  I had hired a staff of 55 to work at the camp and was trying to train them and get them ready for the summer, but the training was best done at the camp.  Would the staff be ready?  What would happen if the water tank was not ready in time for the opening of camp?  How would we manage the camp without running water?  The opening date could not be put off because we had girls signed up to come every available week of the summer.  Plus, the busing contract was in place and paid for, and the food had been ordered.  I had capable priesthood leaders helping me and a committee of twelve exceptional women, but the weight of the situation pressed down upon me.  Frankly, I went to the temple to escape the situation for a few hours.

I slipped into the chapel and the organist began to play a hymn.  Though we were quietly listening to the music in the chapel and we were not singing, the words of the hymn went through my mind,
"Where can I turn for peace?  Where is my solace?  Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.  Constant He is and kind, love without end."

The music touched my heart and began to calm my soul.  The organist began another hymn and the words ran through my mind as she played.
"The Lord is my shepherd...restores me when wandering, redeems when opressed."

"Come cast your burdens on the Lord and trust his constant care."

"I need thee, oh I need thee!  Every hour I need thee."

"In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief."

"Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on thee.  Leave oh leave me not alone, still support and comfort me."

What a blessed time it was for me in the temple chapel that day.  The spirit spoke to me through the words of the hymns that the organist played. Like a gentle rain on parched ground, the music softened me and replenished me.  When the time came to leave the chapel, I followed my row out the side door as directed, and I didn't get a chance to thank the organist.  The thought came to me that for years I have listened to hundreds of organists play in the chapels of different temples and chapels, and I have never thanked one of them.  How could the organist that day know the affect his reverent playing had on me?  I went on to enjoy the session in the temple and left feeling spiritually lifted and empowered.  I knew that the Lord was mindful of me and that He was aware of the situation at the camp.  The water tank was finished just in time and truly it was a miracle. Over 3,500 girls attended camp that summer and things went as planned.  The staff of 55 performed admirably.  What seemed like an impossibility to me that day in May became a marvelous reality!  (All thanks to the Lord.)

I would like to thank the many people who serve, or who have served, as temple or Sacrament meeting organists.  To each of you, wherever you are, I thank you.  You perform a quiet, un-heralded, meaningful service.  Your music has touched me and helped me make the change from the outside world to the quiet spirit of the temple (or church).  Thank you for the hours you put in, for your practice and preparation, and for playing the music that provides a setting for the spirit of the Lord to be felt.