Spiritual Musical Messages

Here is my blog-record of Spiritual Musical Messages. As of right now, all of these posts are simply saved messages from the past that I've stored on here. But I wanted to share a little about them and what started them. 

 During the Covid-19 shutdown, in 2019, I had a neat experience with Music and its role in my weekly worship, and ultimately, my testimony of Heavenly Father who knows us individually; as well as our Savior, Jesus Christ, who can be our guiding strength and Friend each and every day!

In my church, at that time, I had a calling, or role, as the Ward Music Coordinator. In general, I was responsible to plan out and organize the music program for the weekly worship services; including 3(on average) sacred hymns for the Sacrament Meeting, as well as a weekly, special musical number that would be prepared and performed by various members of the ward. 

When Covid got heavy, there was the whole world-wide shut down! No gatherings, no get-togethers, nothing. 

At this time, I was really struggling with some heavy burdens in my life and felt so very, very alone. Up till then, gathering at church on Sundays with people who shared my values and beliefs had been a huge strength for me that I strongly relied on. Sunday worship had been my refuge from the storms of life. Just sitting in the chapel each week, surrounded by so many loving, faith-filled friends was a breath to keep me afloat for the days ahead. Yet now, that was gone. Who knew when it would open up again? 

I knew God was still there. That wasn't ever a question in my life. But it's still hard to be physically alone for so long. My closest family was 30 minutes away, but we weren't even supposed to gather with family at that point. 

Before Covid, I'd always been a very active participant in my ward. I'd loved being engaged in what was going on. I'd felt needed through my calling as the music coordinator. It made a difference for the entire worship services of the whole ward. We had a wonderful organist and chorister who were great to work with, and so many musically talented people on the ward.  But now here I was, alone, wondering what my purpose was. 

The ward I was in started to do Zoom call meetings on Sundays in place of church. We'd pray together, the Bishop and other local church leaders would check in, see how everyone was doing and share a nice little spiritual message. We'd all visit a bit, then wave off.  It was nice to at least visit with everyone virtually. What a blessing technology was!  I started asking and praying in my mind/heart what I could do. How could I continue my calling in this unique situation? Bishop had started to send a weekly email to the ward members with announcements and an encouraging message. That's when I had the idea of teaming up with the Bishop and sending the ward a "Musical Message"! Bishop welcomed the idea! I began writing a weekly spiritual thought and my testimony, coordinated with what we were studying in that week's "Come, Follow Me" studies, then tied it in with a song of worship. (Usually arrangements of sacred hymns, but since it wasn't in the Church building, I was a bit more flexible with the music.) Bishop would fwd these out to the ward with his own weekly messages. 

What a neat experience this was! I was able to share my testimony with my ward each week, and I have always felt that music can reach the heart better than words! I was able to share my love of my Savior with ward members I loved. I was able to reach out to and touch others despite physical walls! This was such a blessing to me too! I felt so close to Heavenly Father as I more intentionally studied the scriptures through the weeks so I could know what to share. And, just like any teacher will say, I think I learned more than the receivers!

Through this experience, my testimony was strengthened of how Heavenly Father knows us so perfectly, and can use is just as we are to bless others and help in His work. We don't need to be perfect. We simply need to have a desire. Like Sister Bonnie Cordon said in her article in the March 2023 Liahona, "[W]e can be His hands to help lift others in their time of heartache and desperation"¹.  Heavenly Father also knows what we need. He's always watching over us. Jesus said to His disciples, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."² (John 14:18). 

I know Heavenly Father and Jesus live! I love Them SOOO much and see Their hands in my life every day! I hope these Musical Messages can be uplifting to any who read them. I hope they can be a bit of light to brighten your day or a reminder that you're being watched over. 

Love and prayers,

Jillene Smith

¹. Bonnie H. Cordon, "The Power to Raise Up", Liahona, March 2023, 43. 

². https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/14?id=p18&lang=eng#p18141814:18