"We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer." -- President J. Reuben Clark Jr.

Okay.... first off... I would say I'm the last person on the planet who would be qualified to talk about music or music analogies. My knowledge and talent in that area is very limited.  However, I absolutely love the idea of being an "instrument in the Lord's hands."

Think of a piano for a moment, not just any piano. We're talking a perfectly tuned, beautiful, grand piano.  It probably costs more than a car. (okay I don't know that, but you get the picture.)  In the hands of a skilled pianist, the piano becomes more than something pretty to look at, as music begins to fill the room.

Now putting this into a gospel context, how do we become an instrument in the Lord's hands?  I think the biggest thing is to submit our will to Heavenly Father's will. This takes faith, courage and humility one our part. Often times, it also requires great sacrafice. When we have let go of what we want, that is when the Lord steps in and says, "Here is what I want for you, this is what I want you to do. Do these things and be ready for all the blessings I have in store for you."  


"I want to impress upon your hearts...that you can make no sacrifice but what sooner or later the reward will come to you, either in time or in eternity, and almost without exception when we make any sacrifices in the line of duty in performing those things that are pleasing in the sight of God, we get our reward during our lives." Heber J. Grant

We read in Heleman 3:35   "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Once we have submitted our will to the Lord's and prepared ourselves spiritually, we are ready to be instruments in His hands.  "And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer." Mosiah 27:36   This doesn't have to apply to just the full-time missionaries. This can apply to EVERY member of the church.  We ALL can be instruments in the Lord's hands to bring about much good.  How great is that?!  The Lord has so many blessings in store for each of us individually.  

As we bring people to a knowlege of their Redeemer, let us remember Doctrine and Covenants 18:15 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"  Let us all live our lives so it is "A Prelude to the festivals of Eternity"  by being instruments in God's hand to bring souls unto Christ.