Protestors, Music, and Peace

Yesterday, Sunday, we had the honor of being the site for the latest Prop 8 protest. I was quite worried how things would play out since I’ve seen some pretty upsetting pictures* and heard stories of other protests that sound very difficult to handle. Fortunately the whole thing was very civil. The protestors remained on the street and never entered the church property, though that may have been because of the number of security personnel patrolling. They did have some very interesting signs and said some nice things as we drove past. Our ward meets at 11 am and the crowd apparently dispersed at 1 pm so we did not have any trouble leaving, but the 9 am ward that leaves at noon did have some trouble from the protestors and additional police had to be called in to quiet them down.

A few months ago our music coordinator approached me about playing a violin piece during Sacrament meeting. Organizing the little trio took some time and finally we were scheduled to play and I was asked to pick a song. I chose “The Lord is My Shepherd” and we were set for playing on November 16. I think it was more than just coincidence that we played yesterday and that the song just happened to have phrases such as “In the midst of affliction my table is spread. With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er.” and “They rod shall defend me, they staff be my stay. No harm can befall with my Comforter near.” I was so humbled to be able to play for my ward that Sunday to offer hope and comfort and bring the spirit. I know the Lord sustained me and I played better than I would have on my own.

One sister stopped me in the hall afterward and said, “We should all be singing the praises of your mother because she made you stick with the violin and now we have all been blessed by your talent. God bless your mother.” She let her daughter quit the violin after two years and take up flute instead and she wishes she had made her stick it out. I do want to acknowledge my mother’s efforts and attribute much of my talent to her. She made several reluctant musicians ‘stick it out’ and I am so grateful because playing the hymns of the church brings me more peace and comfort than anything else. The rest of my talent comes from my dad who bought a very nice violin for me just before I went to college. Though it never did take me to the BYU philharmonic it has served me well in performing for family and friends and inviting the spirit into meetings as well as lifting my own spirits.

Lifting my spirits is what music is doing for me now. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to stand with the prophet even though I was called upon to do things that took me way out of my comfort zone. I am grateful for the thousands of faithful Latter-day saints who did the same and more. It was amazing to see so many good people faithfully keeping the covenants they had made in the temple. We won the battle, but the fight continues. We still need to stand strong and be humble and loving. I don’t know how all the protests and lawsuits will end or what will happen in four years when there is another election. I do know I will continue to stand with the Prophet for therein is my safety and peace even when protestors and persecutions rage.


* In case anyone is curious, here are some of the pictures of some of the protests. Fortunately, from what we have personally seen, they are becoming a little more peaceful over time: