Mormon Tabernacle Choir in concert with Rebecca Luker, Dallyn Bayles, an...

This is the President Monson 85th birthday concert.  It is hosted by Steve Young and Jane Clayson Johnson.  It features the Mormon tabernacle Choir.  Soloist were Dallyn Vail Bayles, Rebecca Luker and Stanford Olsen.  The each sang two songs.  Bayles does a beautiful rendition of "Bring Hime Home" as well as "There But for You Go I."  His voice is clear and piercing and his sound is incredible.  Olsen sings 'Golden Days" and "The Holy City."  It gets emotions singing "The Holy City" which is likely the high light of the concert.  Lastly Rebecca Luker sings "Memories and 'All I ask of You."  The choir sings "You raise Me UP," "Seventy-six Trombones" and another high spot, "Consider the Lillies."  The concert includes portrayals of President Monson's life, as well as tributes from other general authorities and also the Boy Scouts.  This concert is very enjoyable.

Final Osmond Family Concert (2008)

This concert was presented at the Conference Center in Salt Lake, and included the orchestra and Temple Square and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It is overall very good.  Marie seemed to have technical issues a few times, and tried to control the volume by moving the mic which was bothersome.  However this is a good concert.  The two oldest brothers join them for the last two numbers, and their use of sign added to the vocal is very nice.

Christmas Music Review: The Mormon tabernacle Choir: This Is Christmas (1994)

I love the way the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sounds.  This is a 1994 production.  They leave the traditional version of some of their songs.  My thought is that for "O Come All Ye Faithful" doesn't work, while "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with its different versions from Nutcracker to big band to Sousaesque, etc seems to work somehow and entertains, even though it is almost 12 minutes long.  Other highlight are a medley of Lullaby Carols and a medley of Bell Carols.  Other songs of note include "Tambourine Noel."  This song is mostly singing Noel with the tambourines.  "Away in a Manger" is very well done, with a counter melody in the orchestra which is very effective.  Mack Willberg is the arranger of this William J. Kirkpatrick tune.

Mormon Music Review: Echoes of the Sabbath: Brigham Young University

This is an anthology of BYU choruses, singing music appropriate for a Sunday.  Most of it is church hymns, but not all.  Young Ambassadors and a soloist sing "Let Him Heal Your Heart" and the concert choir and philharmonic orchestra perform "Death Shall Not Destroy my Comfort."  The philharmonic also accompany the combined chorus in "Praise to the Lord the Almighty."  Another favorite is performed by the women's chorus, "Simple Gifts."  There is plenty to like in this collection.

BYUTV In Performance: Take the Mountain Down

This is a retelling blue grass musical retelling of the Prodigal Son.  It is subtitled :"A Finger-pickin' Parable of the Prodigal Son."  The bluegrass music is very catching, and presents a great way to retell this story.  Janice Kapp Perry and Marvin Pane wrote the lyrics, music and book.  Marvin Pane also was one of the performers.
This production is more than just a musical.  It is a musical performance as well, and requires musicians.  They play violin, bass, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, wash board and guitar.  They make a very good sound.
http://www.byutv.org/watch/2b12784b-6de4-47fe-bdd2-bea049140a90/in-performance-take-the-mountain-down
I find that links to BYUTV as good for a limited time.  This link will lead to In Performance if not to this particular performance.

Music Review: Michael McLean: Hold on the Light Will Come

Hold On, the Light will Come: And Other Lessons my Songs Have Taught Me.  (2003)

I have been enjoying a Michael McLean C.D. we gave ourselves for Christmas.  It is actually a book )read by Michael McLean) with songs.  McLean is someone with the talent I wish I had.  He talks about the ups and downs of his career.  However, from my perspective it has mostly been up.

Some of his songs really hit home, and a conversation of those I really like.

“From God’s Arms, to My Arms, to Yours:”  This is an adoption song from the perspective of the birth mother.  Tony, our adoptive son has really liked this song, as have Sheri and I.  It seems for my part, I cry more each time I listen to it.  I remember when I first help Baby Tony.  He was tiny.  They didn’t let him out of the hospital until he reached five pounds.  He started at four pounds seven ounces.  Sheri had visited him at the hospital, but I did not meet him until Sheri brought him home.  I was so proud (yes proud is the right word) of our little baby.  I felt he would be my boy forever, even though I knew that wasn’t true at the time.  However now it is true; and this song brings up those treasured memories for me.

“The Man of Many Names:”  This song I had heard before from “The garden” C.D.  I still enjoy it, and I am getting to where I can almost sing along.  This song is a testimony of Jesus’ love for us, and the price he pays for us.  This song comes with a story of Simon Peter and Jesus walking on water.  I really enjoy the insight.  Jesus will always save us if we cry out to him, and we should not doubt this.

“The Innkeeper Song” from Forgotten Carols:  This is a new song to me.  Now I am crazed with the idea of learning to sing it well enough to sing next Christmas, if I can find someone to let me sing.  What would the Innkeeper perspective be, and what would he sing now if he could.  This song gives a very good answer.  “Even a thousand years would not fully erase my shame.”  “Let Him in.”

“Which Part is Mine:” This song has quickly become one of my favorites.  It starts as a song about roles, and learning our own part; but it ends as a song about prayer, and that is why I enjoy it.  It helps me commit to being better at praying, which is something I really need.  This song has helped me improve my prayers.  “After I've done my best, I know you'll do the rest, Because You hear me.

McLean does very well with hardship, with love, with life in general.

Music Review: Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Called to Serve

Called to Serve: Craig Jessop and Mack Willberg conductors, 2008.  Miranda bought this as part of a four-pack from the distribution center of music for missionaries.  This set has some very exciting music.  I love "Redeemer of Israel" with its brass fanfare.  it is just so exciting.  The Mack Wallberg arrangement of "I Believe in Christ" is also fantastic the way the cords change and the choir gets broader in the last couple verses.  It creates a real emotional reaction to the music.  The men sing, "Ye Elders of Israel."  "High on a Mountain Top" also has the brass fanfare.  "Come, Come Ye Saints" has always been one of my favorite, and this version has lots of energy.  "The Spirit of God Like  Fire Is Burning" is the final number of this set.  This song is also very well done.  This C.D. is very moving and uplifting.  A god C.D. for any missionary.   

Music Review: Mormon Tabernacle Sea: Praise to the Man

Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Praise to the Man: Songs Honoring the Prophet Joseph conducted by Mack Willberg 2008.
This set of twelve songs is a very nice collection of songs about the life of Joseph Smith.  Of particular note are "Joseph Smith's First Vision" and "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."  "Praise to the Man" builds nicely,but it starts too quietly and is hard to hear at the first.  You miss half the verse first as a result.  However they don't make the same mistake with "Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice."  This is very well done.  Their is a primary song which fits in nicely,"On a Golden Springtime".  Miranda has gotten this from the distribution center for her mission. 

Music Review: The Miracles of Love

This is music video from Nest Entertainment which presents the songs form the New Testament series.  The songs include: "A King is Born" which is a song announcing the birth of the Savior.  "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" presents the story of Zacharias and John the Baptist.  The story of the prodigal son is highlighted by the song, "Welcome Home."  The parable of the good Samaritan is strengthened with the song, "My Hands."  "My hands are the Lord's hands."  There is a powerful message in that simple statement.  "Miracles of Love" highlights the miracles of Jesus.  The conversion of Saul to Paul is highlighted is emphasized in "Help Me."  "Help me Lord to fight a good fight."  The final song reflects upon the atonement of the Savior.  "He Gave His Life for Me" starts with the crucifixion, and then shows the resurrection.  "He gave his perfect life so I could live again." 

Music Review: Pioneer Day Celebration 2006 (to mmboe)

I have been watching the Pioneer Day Celebration of 2006, sesquicentennial of the handcart pioneers.  This concert features the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra.  It also features the Brett Family Singers.  I taped it on VCR when it was presented on BYUtv.  The choir sang four folk songs arranged by Mack Wahlberg.  The Brett Family Singers sang songs from musicals and other popular songs: "The Impossible Dream," "Where Is Love," "You Build Me Up" and "Let There Be Peace."  "The Impossible Dream" is one of my favorite, but I didn't care for their arrangements with an echo quality throughout.  However the other songs were well done.  "You Build Me Up" was dedicated to President Hinckley.
There was a violin solo as part of the choir song "Lead Thou Me On."  It was very moving.  The choir also sang to excerpts from the film "Sweetwater Rescue."  This portion concluded with the song "Dear Zion," which was commonly sung by the pioneers.  President Hinckley spoke briefly.  "We should never forget the pioneers and their sacrifice."  The performance then concluded with " Come, Come Ye Saints."  Very moving.  My only regret is I could not find it on the LDS Website or You Tube to share.

Music Review: ****^Spirit: Alex Boye (to MMBOE)

Alex Boye's songs in this album are a please to God, to help find his place, his status with God.  He lends his distinctive tone to these songs, and in doing so inspires us to seek God.  He  teaches repentance; starting over.

My favorite is "A Prayer Away."
When will you listen?
When will you hear?
A still small voice can be loud and so clear.
Just when you thought, you had it all
You find you have nothing
Then you stumble and fall.

So reach for the sunlight
Stop chasing the storms all over town
You can't keep on running
You got to start living, yeah

Nobody deserves to be lonely
God's love will give hope to each wondering soul
Whenever you feel you're the only hope in this world
is only a prayer away

There's time to let go
And time to move on
To even be moved by the words to this song
Come back to the alter
Back to yourself
Trade silver for gold
Leave your past on the shelf

Fall into forgiveness
Your life can never be the same
I'll help you through this
Just lift up your hands
And say His name

What good is a crown!
If you don't wear it
You're standing for nothing
You keep falling down, oh no
Hope in this world
Is only a prayer away

That last statement is true, hope in this world is only a prayer away.  The other messages in this song are also true.  It is possible to stop falling down, we can pick ourselves up, and see repentance, and make a change in our lives.   God's hand is always extended towards us.  It is our need to humble ourselves, and call to him for his loving forgiveness.

Other of his songs also are a plea for God's guidance. 

"Word of God Speak"
[Chorus]
Word of God speak
Won't You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see Your majesty
To be still and know that You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness
Word of God speak


"Great Light of the World"
Oh great light of the world
Fill up my soul
I'm half a man here
So come make me whole
Oh great light of the world
Come to impart
The light of your grace
Fill up my heart

Boye concludes this album with a song common to Christians, "How Great Thou Art."  He makes this song unique, as he adds an African Chant which he does so well.  This song is much more moving than anything from "Lion King" where the same strategy was employed.

Music Review: *****Music and the Spoken Word: Chirstmas Season (To MMBOE)

I stayed home sick from church today.  Something I didn't want to do because I sing with the choir every year.  However this year my throat is scratchy, I'm coughing, and didn't want to spread germs.  So I am watching "Music and the Spoken Word."  It comes on multiple times on BYUTV.  You can also see some episodes on their website.  They add special guests this time of year, or you can watch old episodes with special guests.  I watched Alfie Boe sing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."  This was followed by the story of the "candy bomber" narrated by Tom Brokaw.  I was just watching David Archuleta singing a couple years ago with the choir.  I have also seen the story of Silent Night from WWI. Another episode has Angela Lansbury singing "We Need a Little Christmas.  Some of the episodes even feature dancers and performers.
I give a heart endorsement for these musical presentations.  There is sure to be something to bring peace to your heart, even if you are home sick from church.
http://byutv.org/search?query=christmas
This is a link to BTUTV where you can see many of these episodes.

Music Reviews' Summary

This is a summary of my musical reviews. 

*****Neil Diamond, Greatest Hits 1966-1990
*****Simon and Garfunkle, Geatest Hits
*****Gladys Knight Saints Unified Voices Choir, concert
****^ Seals and Crofts, Summer Breeze
****^The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber
****Donny Osmond, This is the moment
**** Beach Boys, Greatest Hits
****Air Supply, Greatest Hits
****Coldplay, Austin City Limits
****As December Leaves, Oceana
****America, Horse wit no Name
****Sunset Boulevard
****Jeff Goodrich, Back to Galilee
****The Best of Broadway: The American Musical
****Carpenters Greatest Hits
***^Neil Diamond, Three Chord Opera
***^Highlights from the Phantom of the Opera
***Gladys Knight, Before Me
*** ABBA, Gold
***Sweeney Todd in Concert
***The King's Singers: Concert on BYU t.v.
***Oscar Hammerstein: The Legacy
***More Broadways Greatest Love Songs
***Carousel
**^Neil Diamond, September Morn
**^Gladys Knight, At Last
**^Guys and Dolls 50th Anniversary Recording
**^Entertainment Weekly, The Greatest Hits 1971
**Classic Andrew Lloyd Webber
**Broadway in Love
**Aida
**Finians's Rainbow
**Spamalot
*The Civil War Musical

Music Review: As December Leaves; ****Oceana (to mmboe)

Oceana is the C.D. that the garage band my son was in through high school put together.  It had three members, my son Mark and his friends Chris Chavez and Andrew Loc.  Actually Andrew and Mark formed the group, but they needed a drummer so convinced Chris to join them.  However Chris' first love was guitar.  Andrew played guitar and Mark bass.  All three do vocals.  They called their music Emo-rock.  Chris did the mixing and recording work.  If anyone wants to check it out, since I have it on itunes, I could probably make them a copy on C.D.

http://www.myspace.com/asdecemberleaves/music/songs?filter=featured
myspace link

They start with an introductory instrumental "Prelude" with Andrew on piano and a friend on violin.  I really enjoy it.  It then goes into a piece that is probably too loud for my taste, but Mark has a nice bass riff.  My favorite is "The Seaside Burns Tonight."  I feel this song is as good as anything you hear on the radio.  Mark wrote the lyrics and provides lead vocal:
The Seaside Burns Tonight.

My heart is cold and weary

Your hands are warm so hear me

And teach me how to show you what I feel

There’s a fire burning through me begging to ensue me. 

This time I know, this time it must be real.

If I were made of glass you’d be the fire that made me.   I would shine for only you, and you alone.

If you could read my mind you would find that I’m

Giving up and living all that’s new

I would send you this message

That did not hear to test it

I promise you that I’d never grow tired of you

Chorus

Mark also wrote the lyrics for "Still Here" abot the conflict with your own demons, and overcoming them.  The cover song is very good "Oceana," "Sinking Stones" is also very fun.  "We are the sinking stone...Don't let me sink alone." This song has along ending with instrumental and recorded war scene, which is a bit confusing.  The final number "Dreams of Drowning" is also very fun.  The vocals are very pleasing with the three all singing vocals.  "The forecast for tonight..."  This song ends with "We're all going out to sea," and then the sound of the ocean.

Music Reviews: Donny Osmond ****"This is the Moment," ****^"The Best of Andrew Lloyd Weber"

These CDs we have in our personal library as they are downloaded to Itunes.  The first, for the most part, This is an album of Donny Osmond singing songs from musicals.  Because he is putting them in the context of pop music rather than in the musical setting, they at times lack the emotion that goes with the song.  A couple cases in point would be "This is the Moment" the title song.  It just doesn't have the same flavor as when Dr Jekyll is considering consuming his own substance he has created to test it.  Also his version of "Anythng's Possible" lacks the dancing fish the version of Caleb on You Tube from when he was in Suessical.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da1l8CSeEAA
However his other song from Seussical, "Solla Sollew" is very well done.  Listening to Donny Osmond and Vanessa Williams sing, "Not While I'm Around" is just beautiful.  He ventures out of the musical realm and sings "You've Got  Friend in Me" From Toy Story.  He also provides some musical theater history singing George M. Cohan's "Give my Regards to Broadway."

The Donny Osmond song I like the best however, is from the other album, "Best of Andrew Lloyd Weber" "Close Every Door."  Donny singing with the children's choir is just perfection.  This album also offers excerpts from "Phantom of the Opera."  I has Sarah Brightman singing "Piu Jesu." A couple other highlights are Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything" and Mandy Patikin and Patty Lupone singing "High Flying Adored."  Mandy Patikin is exquisite in this rendition.  I am also partial to this as this is the cast I saw in New York.  Another perfect song is Glen Close singing "With one Look."  There are a couple songs that I don't enjoy.  One is "Jesus Christ Superstar"  Combining Christ and rock music doesn't work for me.

Music Review: *****Simon and Garfunkle, ****Air Supply

This is some of the music I have been listening to today that I am home sick.  Also since I down loaded Itunes to my computer, and then Miranda taught me how to download songs from Sheri's computer.  I didn't download them all as there is lots of Mark's old emo-rock music which is not pleasing to me.  However I did get over three days worth of music, meaning I am not going to listen to it all in the next day or so. 
One of the albums I brought over was Ultimate Air Supply.  The have a soft mellow tone, and often the lead singer, although a guy sounds more like an alto voice.  It really confuses me.  However Air Supply sings some classic songs.  My favorites are "All out of Love," "Sweet Dreams," "Making Love out of Nothing at All," "The Power of Love" and "Without You."  I love the lyrics of the chorus in Sweet Dreams.  "Close your eyes
I want to ride the skies in my sweet dreams
Close your eyes
I want to see you tonight in my sweet dreams"

Love, that is not working out, or is ending is a common theme for Air Supply.  For example from "All out of Love"
I want you to come back and carry me home
Away from this long lonely nights
I'm reaching for you, are you feeling it too
Does the feeling seem oh so right...
I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I'm all out of love, what am I without you
I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong

We also had some of the Simon and Garfunkle: Greatest Hits on Itunes, but I bought the CD at Walmart so we now have the complete album.   Bridge over Troubled Water and Sounds of Silence have long been a couple of my favorite songs.  I sang Bridge to Sheri at our wedding reception:  When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Art Garfunkle does such a good job with this song written by Paul Simon.  It is a classic.  In fact it was the song of the decade 1970s even though it came out in 1970.

Music Review: ****America: Horse with no Name

I am sitting her enjoying the mellow tones of America.  This is one of the bands I grew up with and Sheri found this C.D. crossing Nevada in  bin in a gas station.  I love their tones, and often the lyrics of their songs.  I think the one I identify with most is "Lonely People."  I was 26 before I was married, and had plenty of lonely nights during the days this song was playing on the radio.  It seemed like a song for me at the time.   "Don't give up, until you drink from the silver cup."  Beautiful.  Of course this album has other classics, including the title song, "Tin Man," "I Need You," and "Sister Golden Hair."

The other thing I have discovered for my own computer is ITunes.  I am sharing all of the songs that have been on Sheri's ITunes.  Technology is great.  I am not bringing them all over, but now I have Mark's songs, and several different albums on my computer, something for every mood.  I have noticed I am not much into emo rock like Mark.  I like more mellow music, and songs from musicals. 

Life in Manteca 33: concert review, two movie reviews restaurant review.

This is a review of the past couple weeks.  Sheri and I went on a Saturday dinner date to ***Denny's.   This is not the Denny's we would frequent when the kids were young.  They had the $1.99 grand breakfast which was more than a feast.  Now I think the same meal is $9.99.  It was one of the few restaurants we could afford to take the family back in those days--at least the only sit-down restaurant.  The kids thought they were in hog heaven.  As for the Denny's of today, which is on Main street and 120 in Manteca.  It has grown up somewhat, but still has some of the old traits.  Sheri had steak and shrimp   I insisted she get he shrimp so I could eat it.  It was the shrimp cocktail kind, grilled on a stick.  Sheri;s steak was excellent, I finished it off the next day for lunch.  I had a patty melt, which I feel is one of my favorite sandwiches.  It didn't pass the calorie test from their enclosed calorie brochure.  I only ate half, so as to save a few calories.  Caleb ate the other half for dinner.  Denny's is an old favorite, and we will probably frequent there again.

Last Friday we had the privilege of attending the *****Gladys Knight Saints Unified Voices Choir.  All I can say, if you ever have a chance of attending this concert, it is a must see.  The music is Gospel rather than traditional Mormon music, but is and enjoyable evening all the same.  We attended with our neighbors.  "Jesus Loves Me" was a favorite.  Also the solo by a choir member "Via Dolorosa."  which reminds us that Jesus went all the way down the road to Calvary.  Gladys Knight with the choir sang "Blessed Assurance."  They also sang a song about not putting off until tomorrow what we should be doing today, as tomorrow may be too late. I last time I saw them Gladys Knight sang "I am a Child of God."  I missed that song in this program.  The highlight of the program was the testimonies.  A brother told the history of the restoration of the Church.  Gladys Knight told her story, starting by letting the audience know we are all brothers and sister. 
http://inthedoghouse.hubpages.com/hub/Gladys-Knight--Lost-the-Pips-But-Gained-The-Saints-Unified-Voices
http://www.suvchoir.org/

***Puss In Boots  We went a date knight to the movies.  Miranda and Tony went to see "Chipwrecked", and I went to Puss In Boots. Tony wanted Miranda for a date, and I didn't look forward to the high note singing, so was good with seeing a different movie.  Both movies were at the $3 Marketplace Theater.  So as for "Puss In Boots"--this movie had betrayal, love and villains.  The cat dancing was the thing that most made it unique.  However over all I found it just above so-so.  The mother goose and baby goose were fun.  The city Puss was defending, and his loss honor, which was restored in the sight of the people, but not in the sight of the law.  The movie also added the usual twists on common nursery rhymes. 

****Chipwrecked  As I mentioned above I did not see this movie.  My four star rating is based on Tony's reaction.  He came out of the movie talking about the stories and having really enjoyed himself.  He talked about the chipmunks all fighting over the food on the island. He also liked the slide on the boat.  He liked the songs.  "Firework" is one of his favorite.

Stake Conference thoughts, and a few other ideas.

Paul Pieper, of the Quorum of seventy was the visiting general authority at our stake conference.  He talked about having hope in Christ.  He concluded "No one is beyond the reach of Hope in Christ. ...There is brightness of hope in the Savior."  He  mentioned two ways in which Satan tries to destroy our hope in Christ.  The first is by telling us that there is no Christ, or the Christ did not accomplish the atonement.  He talked of Korihor, who represents many anti-Christ people in the Book of Mormon.   "How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ."  (Alma 30:15)  Of course this was before Christ's coming, rather than after he has come.  But we have witnesses in the scriptures of his coming.  Still, for many this is not enough.

President Monson said something in this last conference that I have been pondering.  It has to do with receiving truth that is spiritually discerned, rather than intellectually or physically.  I think this is a struggle for many people, as they want to see, and know intellectually, and not have to exercise faith.  These are his words:

"It may appear to you at times that those out in the world are having much more fun than you are. Some of you may feel restricted by the code of conduct to which we in the Church adhere. My brothers and sisters, I declare to you, however, that there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments. That Spirit cannot be present at the kinds of activities in which so much of the world participates. The Apostle Paul declared the truth: 'The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.' (1 Corinthians: 14)  The term natural man can refer to any of us if we allow ourselves to be so.  We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God. The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality. We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts. The prophet Isaiah declared, 'The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.'"  (Isaiah 32:17)
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/stand-in-holy-places?lang=eng

I like the part about things being spiritually discerned.  My father, in his older years, gave up discerning things by the spirit, and decided to rely on his own abilities.    He would not read the Book of Mormon but relied on worldly wisdom.  As a result, he became a bitter man.

I have listened to a C.D. of Jeff Goodrich songs many times, ****"Back to Galilee."  There is one song I have enjoyed particularly called "Beyond the Sun."  Jeff Goodrich talks of his experience of visiting the tomb in Jerusalem, and the feelings he was having.  "From beyond the Sun, beyond the moon; beyond the stars where the galaxies bloom, there come the whispers of heaven, that tell my my Savior lives; He lives."

I know some people would say that these feelings are not real, they are manifestations of ours own desiring.  Or perhaps like Scrooge they would say they are some gastrointestinal action, some undigested undone potato.  Jeff Goodrich also answers this as the song continues.  "From deep in my heart, deep in my soul, deeper than mortal has strength to control, I hear the whispers of heaven, that tell my my Savior lives; He lives"

There are spiritual powers.  They are real, and the testify that Christ lives.  If you have doubt of this, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon, which testifies of Him in written word, and in spirit.

Elder Pieper talked of another way in which we separate ourselves from the hope of Christ.  This is by deciding that we personally are unworthy of receiving his atoning sacrifice.  However if we feel this, we again deny Christ.  While there is no happiness in sin, there is repentance, and the atoning cleansing which comes from Christ  Remember, He has gone below all things, and has paid the price for all, if we accept Him as our Savior.  "...though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  (Isaiah 1:18)

God lives, and we have hope in Christ.  In this troubled world, we have hope in Christ.  This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Music Review:Christmas concerts (to mmboe)

This season I ha e enjoyed finding and recording concerts with the DVR.  This has mostly included PBS and BYUTV.  BYU TV usually replays a **Christmas concert from some past year.  This is usually good, but not thrilling.  PBS showed last year's ***^Tabernacle Choir concert with David Archuleta and Michael York.  This is a very nice concert with jumping dancers.  Miranda has watched it several times as she is an Archuleta fan.  He really likes "Joy to the World" and the descant he sings.  Michael York tells the story of the choir, as well as the Christmas story.

Of course I have watched all the Christmas Tabernacle Choir *****"Music and the Spoken Word" presentations.  They are all fine, with bells and dancing.  The one I most enjoyed was Jane Seymour guest narrator telling the Christmas story.  But there is one every Sunday morning at 9:30 in California.  As this is church time I record them.  They concluded this with their program yesterday.  They concluded with Lloyd Newell talking of "Away in a Manger."  This is one of my favorite.

The worse concert I recorded was the (no stars) Tree Lighting at the White House.  They had an African Choir, The Sons of Judah, which was so out of tune, and so out of balance with the men trying to compete with the women, that it was painful.  Not even a military jazz band, Santa Claus and Kermit the frog could save this mess.  It ended up being a commercial for talking about bringing the troops home.

I also recorded a Christian university music program, ***^"Christmas at Belmont."  This is a Nashville based choir.  They presented several Nigerian and African carols which were really  very moving.  The interspersed orchestral and band music throughout and it was very well done.

A Lutheran University, **"Christmas at Concordia" showed a different religious orientation.  This choir bogged down in slow moving hymns and was not as enjoyable.

I also recorded **Bells at Temple Square.  I did not enjoy this as much as I missed vocal music.  The bells, after a few number just stimulated my tinnitus, so I gave it up.  I also recorded the **Bell Family Christmas concert.  There is something I don't like about them.  Perhaps it is that they come across as too perfect, I don't know.  It just seems fake to me.

Last I recorded Andrea Bocelli and David Foster, ****"My Christmas."  It is very fun to listen to Andrea Bocelli.  They had a full orchestra behind them and sometimes a small choir.  Bocelli sings with such a clear and pure voice, it is very enjoyable.