I Needed a Soprano

Many years ago my Church calling was directing the ward singing mothers group. I was young and enthusiastic but our ward was very small, and I needed a good soprano to “pull” the chorus along. I heard of a certain sister who could surely fill the bill if only I could get her to come—but she was less active.

I invited her to sing with us, telling her how much we needed her. She’d “try” to come to our next practice. Well, of course, she didn’t, so I asked if I could pick her up for the next practice. She’d “try” and be ready.

She was! I took her to the next several practices. She loved to sing; and after she had formed the habit of singing with us, it was no problem to keep her coming.

We became close friends. The following year we both had babies within two days of each other and were in the hospital at the same time in adjoining rooms.

Soon after, I became the ward choir director. Needless to say, I insisted she sing with us. She consented and consequently started coming to Church on Sundays. Little by little her children started to come with her. One day her husband came, surprising all of us.

One thing led to another. Her husband gradually advanced in the priesthood and became ward clerk. She started working in the MIA, eventually becoming MIA president. Their children now participate actively in the Church.

Now that I have gained 18 years of maturity and experience since that first choir practice, I realize that when I try to involve someone it is because it will help her as well as me. But at that early age, I must admit that I wanted her strictly for a selfish reason: it would improve the singing mothers chorus.

But what far-reaching results from such a small beginning!