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

Music

Conductors: Mack Wilberg
Organist: Brian Mathias
Announcer: Lloyd Newell
With special guest: BYU Singers, with Andrew Crane conducting

“Press Forward, Saints”¹
Music: Vanja Y. Watkins
Lyrics: Marvin Gardner
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Rejoice, the Lord Is King”²
Music: Malcolm Archer
Lyrics: Charles Wesley
With BYU Singers

“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (Organ solo)
Irish Melody
Arrangement: Brian Mathias

“Thy Will Be Done”
Music: Peter Anglea
Lyrics: Scripture
Featured Guests: BYU Singers

“As a Shepherd” ³
Music: Mack Wilberg
Lyrics: David Warner

“Amen! Jesus Han Skal Råde”
Music: Norwegian folk tune
Arrangement: Henning Sommerro
Featured Guests: BYU Singers

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” ⁴
American folk hymn
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
With BYU Singers

1. On the new CD Let Us All Press On.
2. A version by the Choir and Orchestra is on the CD Consider the Lilies.
3. On the CD Tree of Life.
4. On the CDs Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and America’s Choir.

The Spoken Word

A Chain of Kindness

Each season of the year brings new weather, different challenges, and fresh opportunities for those who open their eyes and heart.

In winter, the challenges and opportunities often come in the form of a snowstorm. One man always shovels the snow off several of his neighbors’ sidewalks before he takes care of his own. Why? He says that it makes him happy the rest of the day to do something for someone else. Two of these neighbors, a couple for whom shoveling is somewhat difficult, feel especially grateful for his willingness to help. In return, they bake cookies to share with their neighbors—and that makes them happy the rest of the day. Inspired by the homemade treats, other neighbors find their own ways to keep the kindness and happiness going.

We’ve all experienced the wonderful way both givers and receivers are blessed when people help each other. So often, the receiver of help is prompted to become the giver of help to others. The chain of kindness continues to link people and spread warmth—even on cold and snowy days.

How grateful we are for those who don’t stop at their own front door or sidewalk. Such good-hearted people make the world a better place by doing something unexpected for others. It doesn’t take much: a little thoughtfulness, a little time, a little heart. One person visits those who he knows may be lonely. Another sends thank-you notes to people who have touched her life. Another always plans for a few extra servings whenever preparing a meal, so there’s something to share. And still another takes time to really listen. All do their part to start or continue a chain of kindness. In the process, they find connection and friendship. Helping others often leads to meaningful relationships that bring joy and satisfaction all throughout life.

The seasons come and go, but opportunities to serve are always with us. In the timeless words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?”¹ Helping others is always in season.

1. In Coretta Scott King, comp., The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1983), 17.