Speaking by the light of the campfire, while seagulls floated in the dusk and a steamboat drifted through the bay, Mr. Swenson reminded us of President Oaks' words from last April's General Conference.
"We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things."
The thick slab of concrete sidewalk President Oaks described was cracked, not by some large and powerful thrust, but by the "slow, small growth of one of the roots reaching out from the adjoining tree" (Dallin H. Oaks, "Small and Simple Things," April 2018).
A hundred yards of fishing line, nearly invisible and thin enough to thread a needle, were more than sufficient to pin our own Josh Sperry's arms to his sides, after a willing and able Hunter Muhlestein ran it round him a hundred times.
And a short, sweet list of very simple, very clear rules is our choir's best safeguard of health and well-being while on tour.
- Put away the electronics.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat healthy.
- Wash hands and use hand sanitizer.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Respect bedtimes.
- Stay with your "companion."
- Always let your chaperone know where you are.
Above all, forget yourself and focus on others. "What would it be like," Mr. Swenson asked, "if for ten days every choir member, chaperone, and director was focused entirely outward? What if we all made it our goal to lift and help each other and all the other people we meet? What if we all prayed for opportunities to be a light and an inspiration to someone else?"
What we do over the next ten days will determine how effective we can be in following the Lord's commandment to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16.)
