I was in charge of Night of Music and Inspiration last night at the Visitors' Center. (Missionaries perform musical pieces and share testimonies) It centered on Jesus Christ and his atonement. As part of it I shared my poem about Kim and how the atonement covers all pain. It was incredible how many people came up to me after and said that their heart was touched because of losses of their own. The program was as follows.
His Hand is Stretched out Still
Opening Prayer: Sister DeAgostini
Opening Remarks: Elder Larson (senior elder)
"He Sent His Son" Elder Williams accompanied by Elder Searle
He Left the Ninety and Nine: A talk by Sister Jones
"Where can I turn for peace"
A wind and String Ensemble:
Sister Wankier - fluet
Sister Miller - viola
Sister Wong Cello
Sister Finlay - Piano
Kim by Sister Gordon
"I come to Him" performed by Sister Welch
The Miracle of Forgiveness: A talk by Elder Rodriguez
"I Stand All Amazed"
Elder Brown, Elder Dillon, Elder Kennedy and Elder Williams Pianist: Elder Searle
Closing Remarks: Elder Larson
"When you Believe" A Duet by Sister Gros and Sister Joost Pianist Sister Welch
Closing Prayer: Elder Pawlenchuck
I loved it. The performers and speakers were incredible and the spirit was incredibly strong. It was such a testimony to me of the need for our Savior and for His atonement. We all truly need it to feel joy in this life and the life to come. One of my favorite parts was from Elder Larson's closing remarks. He quoted Elder Holland " Many of you feel you have done too much too wrong for too long". Wow! How powerful to realize that often we do feel that we aren't worth the time, that we can't come back, that the atonement is for everyone else, but not for us. But Jesus Christ has engraven each one of us upon the palms of His hands. He would go through the Garden of Gethsemane all over again if He knew that just one of us would take the opportunity to use that atonement for our pains, our sins, our trials, and so that we can experience forgiveness. How truly amazing this gospel is!
