You know that it is not just King Benjamin who uses these words. Many other prophets throughout scripture make frequent reference to, and coupling of, heart and mind. Often, especially in the Book of Mormon, the reference is a caution against hard hearts and blinded minds, but there are other references, some of which will quote later, that encourage open minds and soft hearts as we strive to live the gospel. The need for coupling minds that think, reason, and evaluate with hearts that receive, feel, and experience has been on my mind a great deal, especially these last months.
In fact, when was asked to give this devotional address, the issue I wanted to consider was immediately clear to me. One month from now the forty members of this past year’s edition of Brigham Young University Singers Pupil reunite here for a week of intense rehearsals before departing for Australia, where we will be the united States’ representative to the courts International Choral Symposium. We Pupil sing three concerts at he symposium, the first of which is to take place in the Sydney Opera House.
You can imagine how a sense Of intimidation has tried to overwhelm us in this opportunity to bring the name of Brigham Young university to this astute international gathering. But we have countered such misgivings with a commitment to prepare ourselves for performances that are full of heart and mind, performances that will not only have the capacity to be aesthetically challenging and satisfying but also to bring the Spirit into the willing hearts and minds of those who listen. Gratified when issues of professional growth relate to an increase in knowledge of?and ability to live?the principles of the gospel. Music and gospel living are both very important to me. And as speak, in this university community setting, trot my expertise in music, hope you will consider the parallels attempt to establish between good music-making and gospel living?and then draw your own personal conclusions that will help you integrate, organize, and perhaps even simplify the important facets of your lives.
