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May 02, 2021 - #4781 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: Ryan Murphy
Organist: Andrew Unsworth
Narrator: Lloyd Newell
With Bells at Temple Square, LeAnna Willmore conducting

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”1
Music: German hymn tune
Lyrics: Joachim Neander; translated by Catherine Winkworth
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
With Bells at Temple Square 

“Brother James’s Air”2
Music: James Leith Macbeth Bain
Lyrics: Psalm 23
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

Fanfare on the Tune “Song of Agincourt” (organ solo)
Music: Percy Whitlock
Arrangement: Malcolm Riley

“Ring His Glorious Praise”
Music: Patrick W. Meyer
Featuring Bells at Temple Square 

“Music in the Air”
Music and Lyrics: African-American spiritual
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

“O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”
Music: Albert L. Peace
Lyrics: George Matheson
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy
With Bells at Temple Square 

  1. On the CD America's Choir.
  2. On the CD Heavensong.

The Spoken Word

Prayer and Work

Over the past year, many of us have felt a need to call upon heaven’s help more than ever. When the world is in turmoil or in lockdown, when our normal way of life seems to be turned upside down or inside out, we realize, like never before, that our own strength and wisdom are not enough. When we are stunned to see how quickly the world can change, we naturally seek something or Someone reliable and unchanging. In other words, our thoughts have turned more to God. Many who hadn’t prayed much in the past have started, and many who already prayed have found their prayers becoming more fervent and more sincere. 

So maybe to be a bit shaken, as we all have recently, is not all bad. We wouldn’t ask to go through it again, but we’re thankful for our stronger connection to God. And we’re thankful for what we’ve learned about the relationship between prayer and work. 

One thing we’ve learned was expressed by religious leader M. Russell Ballard not long ago. He said: “No matter where you live, what language you speak, or the challenges you face, God hears and answers you in His own way and in His own time. Because we are His children, we can approach Him to seek help, solace, and a renewed desire to make a positive difference in the world.”

However, he then added this important reminder: “Praying for justice, peace, the poor, and the sick is often not enough. After we kneel in prayer, we need to get up from our knees and do what we can to help—to help both ourselves and others.”1

Consider, for example, the vaccines that have so miraculously come to the world in such a short amount of time. This miracle, like all miracles, surely came from a combination of millions of sincere prayers and millions of hours of hard work. Prayer and work are so often close companions. We trust that God, in His goodness, will answer our prayers, even while we do all in our power to make good things happen.

Prayer not only brings down blessings from heaven; it also brings out the best in us. We are more likely—and more inspired—to do mighty works after rising from mighty prayer. 

  1. M. Russell Ballard, “Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 78.