Videos

March 07, 2021 - #4773 Music & the Spoken Word

The Music & the Spoken Word broadcast airs live via TV, radio, and internet stream on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. mountain time. For information on other airtimes, visit “Airing Schedules” at musicandthespokenword.org.

This encore performance of Music & the Spoken Word has been specially selected for airing while the Choir and Orchestra are practicing social distancing. It contains a new Spoken Word written and delivered by Lloyd Newell. 

Music

Conductor: Mack Wilberg
Organist: Linda Margetts
Announcer: Lloyd Newell

“The Gospel Train”
Music and Lyrics: African-American spiritual
Arrangement: Nathan Hofheins

“This Little Light of Mine”
Music and Lyrics: African-American spiritual
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 

“Come, Ye Children of the Lord” (organ solo)
Music: Spanish melody
Arrangement: James C. Kasen

“Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates”1 from Messiah
Music: George Frideric Handel
Text: Scripture

“Homeward Bound”2
Music and Lyrics: Marta Keen
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“I Will Follow God’s Plan”3
Music and Lyrics: Vanja Y. Watkins
Arrangement: Nathan Hofheins

“O Come Ye Nations of the Earth”
Music: German hymn tune
Lyrics: David Warner
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

  1. On the CDs Messiah–Complete Oratorio and Messiah—Highlights.
  2. On the CDs Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Friends, 9/11: Rising Above and Love Is Spoken Here.
  3. On the CD Teach Me to Walk in the Light.
     

The Spoken Word

One Thing Not to Leave Undone

In a recent newspaper article, lawyer and former Major League Baseball commissioner Fay Vincent, now in his 80s, quoted the Book of Common Prayer: “Almighty and most merciful Father . . . We have left undone those things which we ought to have done.” We all have our own list of things we should have done but haven’t yet. Vincent described one on his list—an all-too-common act of omission: “To my great regret,” he wrote, “I left undone the simple act of telling two superb teachers how much they contributed to my early education. Now it is too late.”1

Most of the good things we accomplish and the blessings we now enjoy can be traced back to the influence of someone else—a parent, teacher, neighbor, colleague, or friend. And yet how often have we thought to thank that person and then forgotten or pushed the thought aside? Days and months turn into years, and our gratitude is left unexpressed. Then, if we continue to put it off, it becomes too late. When you think of people who have touched your life, who comes to mind? No matter how long ago it happened, now is the time to express your thanks.

We often have no idea how such expressions will be treasured. One teacher has a box for all the letters she has received from former students. She calls it her kudos box. It contains over 30 years’ worth of notes of appreciation. She just can’t throw them away. When she needs a lift, she opens the box and reads a few notes. Just looking at the box makes her smile and feel a little better. She’ll tell you that it has kept her going over the years.

Sometimes a personal visit is the best way to say thank you. Sometimes a handwritten note, letter, or even email is especially powerful because it can be read over and over again and treasured throughout the years. However we choose to do it, what’s important is to make sure that this thing “which we ought to have done”—thanking the influential people in our lives—is never “left undone.” 

  1. “I Should Have Thanked My Teachers,” Wall Street Journal, Sept. 23, 2019, A17.