Sunday, 30 March 2014

Secret Prayer

It was a Sunday morning in American Fork, Utah - December 8th 2013 to be specific. During my sleepy-eyed scripture study I read about Joseph Smith receiving revelation from the Lord regarding his wife Emma, and then sharing this counsel with her in Doctrine & Covenants 25. The detailed account was so touching to me! Verse 12 really stood out at that moment in time: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." I was so moved by the words of this scripture - that the Lord finds great joy in the 'song of the heart' from His sons and daughters. 

With the excitement of this scriptural discovery running through my mind, I sat in church that morning in American Fork singing the opening hymn - Hymn #144 in the LDS Hymn Book: Secret Prayer. I couldn't believe it! It was a beautiful coming together of what I had learned from my study that morning and what I felt during singing this beautiful hymn; the song of the righteous truly is a prayer to the Lord and it fills Him with joy and gladness, thus an outpouring of love floods over His children. 

In pondering more and more about this experience, with the hymn and scripture, I realised that the Lord was giving me a task to carry out and He manifested this prompting through the divine power of the Holy Ghost. I felt strongly that Heavenly Father had a work for me to do and although I didn't know exactly what it was that I was to do, I somehow knew and also felt that it had something to do with missionary work and music. In the past year and a half, both these things have been closely related at least in my life. I had participated in "The British Pageant 2013" and, whilst in Utah, performed in the "Savior of the World" production both of which are musical presentations, produced by the church, with the potential to bring souls unto Christ. And, because of the hard work and charitable sacrifices of so many people around me in these productions, I knew that the missionary work within them can and has been successful due to their wholesome, good desires and their spiritual receptiveness. We all have to be willing to listen to the spirit - feel - and then go and do.

When I left Utah at the end of December to head home to Scotland, I still was not sure what the Lord wanted me to do now that "Savior of the World" (SOTW) had finished. As well as that, I still hadn't figured out how I would act upon the personal revelation I received in the meetinghouse in American Fork. However, on the plane I studied more and it came so strong to me. I had been praying for days in petition that the Lord would help me understand what He wanted me to do if it were His will.  I think I found myself questioning my spirituality the days before flying home because I still did not understand this prompting weeks after. In deep thought on the flight from Salt Lake City to New York City, I reminded myself of some words from the SOTW production I had just been participating in:

"It is good to wonder a little about ourselves, but we need never wonder about the Lord."

In that very moment, by the millisecond, whilst I chewed my final complimentary pretzel, I knew so strongly that I had to produce an album of spiritual music of which would help in hastening the work of salvation. This was what He wanted me to do and I knew it so surely, and I started to plan the album straightaway.

When I got home I wrote lyrics, arranged hymns, composed melodies, recorded demos, studied scriptures, talks and prayed. The Lord was always by my side during the production and post-production of this album and He is still with me, even now because of the spiritual experience I had. My aim in producing this album was to give of my whole self and make faithful sacrifices so that this album would be the best it could be. 

I found that the more I gave of myself, the more I grew and learned of His love and greatness and therefore, I could then give more of myself. 

The album was released on the 26th of February. It was quick, but in no way rushed. I was just so excited to fulfill this calling from the Lord. I have been humbled and sometimes cried with joy at the kind comments and feedback people have gave regarding their own feelings about the album. 

The album features three original songs and two favourite hymns. Each track shares a message - in summary - of hope, joy and love. I think the most important message within the album is the fact that we are never, ever alone in this world; no matter how lonely or lost we may feel at any moment, Heavenly Father is always there for us. We can always turn to Him. Always! That thought fills me with soooo much joy and happiness. The knowledge that we are never alone comes with great comfort. I am grateful for this sacred truth and for the everlasting love of our Father in Heaven. I hope and pray that everyone who hears this album can feel at least a little bit of that joy. It was my aim that those who hear the album will feel closer to God and feel more worthy of His love. 

The arts belong to our Heavenly Father - they are a blessing from Him to us and I believe and feel that the purpose of music is to touch and bless the lives of others by bringing joy and light to everyone. 

We all have a work to do. Every one of us has a calling and a purpose. My friend Maddie once shared:

"Each person we see around us is of infinite, incredible potential. Each of us can be a chosen vessel of God, if we will turn to him and promise to obey his will [and] if we will give our lives to him. None is better than the other. All have potential beyond that which the eye can behold."

I encourage everyone to figure out the work that Heavenly Father wants them to do. Let the Holy Spirit teach you how to do His will. Search within the scriptures and within your soul, and pray to Him and ask sincerely what it is you can do to lift yourself, your family and others around you. Fill yourself with joy! And then fill the people around you with that same happiness!! Don't hold grudges against people - it is so SO poisonous! President Monson taught, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." 

The most important journey we will all go on during our lives, if we will turn to Him, is our journey of true joy. That journey never ends. It is eternal and, along the way we will find Him, we will feel Him and eventually we will see Him, and touch Him, and hear His gentle voice reassure us, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

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You can purchase my album on iTunes, Amazon & Bandcamp. 
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