Sweet Moments, Sweet Rewards

Music writing can be a lot of work, but the experiences that come along with it make it all worthwhile, and often tenderly remind me why I am doing this.  There are definitely many sweet moments and sweet rewards. 

I have been blessed with a very supportive husband who enjoys informing the Bishopric in our ward (church congregation) whenever I have written a new song, or when one of my songs has been selected by the LDS Church as a winner in their music submission contests.  In addition, our Bishopric has always been extremely supportive and has asked the Primary (children’s organization) in our ward to perform some of the children’s songs I write.  Therefore, it has become a bit of a tradition for our Primary to sing one of my songs each year during the Primary’s annual Sacrament Meeting Presentation.  For those who may not know what this presentation is, it is an opportunity for the Primary to share with the entire congregation some of the things they have learned throughout the year.  The program includes a lot of music, and it is quite an honor and a special treat for me when they also sing one of my songs. 

By coincidence, I currently serve as the Primary Chorister in our ward.  I seriously believe I have the best calling in the church.  In addition to having lots of fun with the children each week I get to stand in front of them while they sing.  It is truly priceless watching so many innocent, bright and shining faces singing their hearts out, and hearing their sweet voices as they belt out such beautiful words as “I feel my Savior’s love in all the world around me”.   Standing front and center while they sing is truly “the best seat in the house”.   I know, you’re jealous, right?  J

This year, the Primary has been working on a tithing song I wrote called “The Windows of Heaven.”  The song focuses on Malachi chapter 3, verse 10, which explains that when we pay tithing the Lord will open up the windows of heaven and pour out blessings.  In writing the song, my desire was to help children understand that the blessings we receive from paying tithing cannot be measured and are endless.  I also wanted the children to know how the Lord uses tithing money.

Of course, as with any church song they learn, I always hope children understand the meaning of the words they sing.  Sometimes I wonder if they really get it, or if they are merely memorizing the words for the sake of memorizing and nothing more.  I recently found out that at least some of the time they certainly do get it.

One of the teachers in our ward's Primary is a foster parent.  She and her husband currently care for four foster children who are not members of the church; however, these children come with them to church each Sunday.  Two of these children are in Primary.  These children, along with the rest of the children in Primary, have been learning my tithing song.  Last Sunday as we were reviewing the song I happened to glance toward this particular sister who was sitting with her Primary class.  She was staring toward me at the front of the room, with tears streaming down her face.  I wondered what had sparked these emotions, but I immediately decided I wouldn’t interfere.  I smiled compassionately at her as I continued to lead the song.  Later, during a brief break in singing I stepped out into the hallway and this sister followed me out the door, wanting to talk to me.  She said she wanted to explain why she had been crying during the song.  She explained that one of her foster children, an 11-year old boy, has a strong desire to be baptized a member of the church.  Unfortunately, before he can be baptized, they must first obtain permission from the child’s birth parents.  In the meantime, he has been very interested in learning as much as possible about the church.  She then related to me this story:

Sunday morning this boy approached her and asked, “Is tithing really used to help build the temples?”   She assured him, saying, “Yes, it is.”  He then stated, “Then I want to pay my tithing, too.”  He then filled her hand with money and told her it was his tithing money and he wanted her to help him pay it.  She was very touched by his sweet gesture and generosity and told him she would help him do that.  After he left the room she sat and pondered, wondering what had prompted him to ask that particular question about tithing.  She couldn’t recall ever discussing it with him so she wondered where he had learned that tithing was used to build temples.  It then dawned on her that he had learned this from my tithing song.  So, later on that morning in Primary when we began to sing the song, she became overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion as she listened to this sweet child, along with the other children in Primary, singing these words: 

Tithing helps His gospel spread,

And builds temples on this earth,

I am so grateful tithing’s blessings

Are of eternal worth.

For me there is nothing sweeter than to know these song words have been pondered by at least one child.  Not only did he ponder them, but he took them to heart and made the decision to act on them and decided on his own that he wanted to pay tithing.  In my mind, if nothing else ever comes of this song it will have served its purpose.  How grateful I am to have played any role whatsoever in bringing these words to life so that a child could be taught this simple gospel truth.  Could there be any sweeter reward for me than this?  This is one of the many reasons why I continue to write music.  I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been blessed with to be an instrument in some way in helping to move the gospel of Jesus Christ forward, through music. 

                                                            Marlene D. Bartlett