The Good Fortune of Others--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

The Good Fortune of Others

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

A high school senior answered her phone, just hours before she was to address her graduating class as valedictorian. On the other end she heard a voice she recognized. It was Sandy. She and Sandy often vied for the same honors and positions. Sandy usually took second. But that day, Sandy was first in the eyes of her rival, because of what she said: “I hope you do well today. I know you can do it. I’ll be right there cheering you on.” Who succeeded that day? Certainly the young woman speaking from the podium was touted as a success. But that afternoon she had learned the lesson of a lifetime from second-place Sandy. Someone wisely said that “one of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”1 How often do we support or applaud those who have succeeded, even if it came at our own expense? Or do we complain and cast a sour comment at their accomplishment? Do we offer true congratulations, or do we enviously shrink from the moment, wishing we had done so well? It’s easy to extol the success of someone who comes from behind—unless they come from behind us. In our success-driven world we sometimes revel in comparisons and judgments; we seem to think that discounting another’s advances will somehow make us feel better about ourselves. But life is not a pie with only so many pieces. Celebrating the success of others takes us closer to, not farther from, our own victory. When we invest attention and energy in the people around us, their accomplishments become ours and we’re more likely to fully see and appreciate true greatness. So the next time a friend or associate is enjoying good fortune, be the one to say, “I’m behind you, and I’m cheering you on." 1 Attributed to Archibald Rutledge; see http://quotationsbook.com/quote/2798 Program #4201

Give To Live--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

Give To Live

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Every Tuesday for months, writer Mitch Albom met with his old professor Morrie Schwartz to talk about life. Morrie was dying, but he taught his former student profound lessons in living. Considering his physical condition, Morrie could have easily accepted pity, but he didn’t. “Why would I ever take like that?” he said. “Taking only makes me feel like I’m dying. Giving makes me feel like I’m living.”¹ It may sound ironic, but it’s true. The people who seem to get the most out of life are those who aren’t focused on getting it all. They give, and they find that giving sweetens and enriches their lives. Indeed, we live by giving. We each have something to give. And it doesn’t have to be something grand; it just needs to come from the heart. It may be our time, our interest or concern, or resources, our skills, or our talents. It could be the willingness to listen, the patience to truly understand, the selflessness to think of others before ourselves. A smile and a sincere word of praise may be worth more than gold to one who is discouraged. An extended hand of friendship and an offer to help may be just what’s needed to get someone through the day. Unlike the material gifts that wear down and run out, these more precious gifts are inexhaustible. In fact, the miracle is that the more we give such gifts, the more we have to give. Think of those you know who freely give. Their generosity sometimes makes them busy, and yet they always seem to have time for you. They’re interested in you. They make efforts to lift your spirits and encourage you, even when they’re carrying burdens that may be heavier than your own. They generously share their wisdom, experience, and life lessons. Because they are willing to give, they live. And in a sense, they and their gifts will live forever. 1. In Joseph M. Dougherty, “Feel most alive by giving, author Albom says at WSU,” Deseret Morning News, Mar. 29, 2007, B5. Program #4200 Musical Selection: 1. Laudate nomen 2. Tis Winter Now 3. A Song of Praise 4. Spitfire Prelude (organ solo) 5. Spoken Word 6. Have I Done Any Good? 7. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel? 8. From All that Dwell Below the Skies

The Roots of Meaningful Relationships--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

The Roots of Meaningful Relationships

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

The weather began to change, and a man felt inclined to plant something outside in the cold earth. After a hard winter of dark skies and icy storms, the prospect of digging in the ground warmed his heart. So he did some homework, researched the best tree for his chosen spot, and went to see an expert. The master gardener had this counsel: “Don’t plant a hundred-dollar tree in a ten-dollar hole! The roots of the tree,” he explained, “must have room to expand and to absorb the nutrients from the soil. Also, the tree must be planted deep enough so that the roots can move into the soil and give the plant stability. If it’s planted right, you can expect it will grow into a beautiful tree and last a long time.”1 Good advice—not just for planting trees but also for building relationships. Both trees and relationships grow best in an environment that has been carefully prepared and is constantly nurtured. Occasionally a seed may fall on uncultivated soil and spring up as a sapling, but such trees rarely last long enough to bear fruit. Likewise, lasting relationships don’t just happen. They must be fostered by love and attention, cultivated by care and concern, and fed by kindness and generosity. It doesn’t happen in one day of intensive attention; it happens over time, in countless small moments, as gradually as a tree grows. Meaningful relationships are worth more than hundred-dollar trees, and they deserve all the time, effort, and energy they need to become strong and beautiful. Then, once the roots are well established, such relationships can continue to grow—even under difficult circumstances. Trust and understanding will nurture the relationship, and eventually, the flowers of love will blossom and bear sweet fruit. 1. See Carlos E. Asay, Family Pecan Trees: Planting a Legacy of Faith at Home (1992), 228. Program #4199 Musical Selections: 1. Glory to God on High 2. Zadok the Priest 3. He Leadeth Me; O Blessed Thought! (Organ solo) 4. Peace Like a River 5. Spoken Word 6. Somewhere, from West Side Story 8. Redeemer of Israel

Musical friends team up to share testimony

Church News

Musical friends team up to share testimony

By Elder David Robertson

Asia North Area public affairs missionary

Published: Friday, March 19, 2010

TOKYO, JAPAN

Well-known LDS songwriter Janice Kapp Perry teamed up with her friend and popular Japanese LDS singer, Nobuaki Irie, to share music and testimony in a whirlwind 10-day, eight-city tour of concerts and firesides from Japan's northern island of Hokkaido to Okinawa in the south. The tour ended March 14 in Tokyo.

In snowy Hokkaido, they performed in the Sapporo Japan Stake Center. Sister Perry, who was joined on the tour by her husband, Doug, shared some of her background in music and sports and how a basketball accident in which she broke her ankle when she was nearly 40, permanently changed her focus from sports to writing music. Her husband suggested she find "a safer hobby." What started as a hobby became much more. Once she began, she related, "I knew I wanted to start writing gospel music."

Japan Sapporo Mission President Lee Daniels said, "It was entertaining and uplifting as Brother and Sister Perry and Brother Irie shared not only their musical talents, but also their testimonies and gospel insights."

Photo by Elder David Robertson

Popular Japanese LDS singer Nobuaki Irie, left, joins with the LDS singing group "Bless Four" during rehearsal for a concert in Osaka, Japan. Janice Kapp Perry, joined by Nobuaki Irie, did concerts and firesides in eight cities over 10 days in Japan.

More than 700 attended a concert in an Osaka public hall. The Perrys and Brother Irie were joined by Bless Four, a Japanese LDS singing group popular among youth and young adult audiences. The four siblings; Akashi, Kanasa, Akino and Aiki Kawamitsu from Kawasaki, Japan; have been performing professionally for eight years, since they were in their early teens.

They said it was exciting to perform with the composer of many of the Primary songs they have known and loved since they were very young.

Photo by Elder David Robertson

Janice Kapp Perry, joined by her husband, Doug, leads the audience in singing the medley "As Sisters in Zion" and "We'll Bring the World His Truth" during a fireside.

With her husband, Bless Four, and Brother Irie as backup, Sister Perry delighted audiences by singing nine of her own songs in Japanese. With the help of Brother Irie and others, she had made a special effort to learn the Japanese words that have touched the hearts of so many Church members in Japan. The audience joined in many of the songs, prompting Sister Perry to declare, "Thank you! You sound like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."

Photo by Elder David Robertson

Janice Kapp Perry accepts a thank you note from young Karen Akemi in Tokyo as Elder Samuel Lloyd looks on.

Sister Ryoko Higa of the Ginowan stake in Okinawa said of Sister Perry, "She gave her talk with humor and also shared the experiences of challenges she had overcome. We all felt the Spirit."

One such personal experience, involving one of her own compositions, occurred following a serious automobile accident, she said. Sister Perry was required to undergo an extremely painful procedure to determine the extent of damage to her neck. She said, "Four short lines from one of my own Primary songs came to my mind, and I closed my eyes and repeated them over and over for 30 minutes during the test.

"Pray, He is there.

"Speak, He is listening.

"You are His child,

"His love now surrounds you."

She testified of the power of music to sustain her in a very difficult moment and added, "That is why we want our families to sing the hymns and children's songs often."

She encouraged those in attendance to develop their natural talents by telling her story of joining the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at age 55. For Sister Perry, with the training and experience she had by this time, the written music-skills test and taped home audition were not particularly difficult. But she had great fear of the in-person audition. Despite those fears, she went and, to her surprise, was accepted into the choir, she said.

She noted, "My fears almost caused me to miss five years of the most glorious musical experience you could have on this earth." She added, "It is through our talents that we find happiness and focus in our lives, and give service to others."

Brother Irie has been a family friend of the Perrys for almost 20 years. A gifted musician, he visited the Perrys while he was a student at BYU and inquired about the possibility of making an album of her songs in Japanese. That was not something she had ever considered but, discussing it with him, she felt impressed to move forward.

Brother Irie concluded by saying, "I will be forever grateful to her for changing my life."

Brother and Sister Perry were called in 2002 to serve as missionaries in the Chile Santiago West Mission. Sister Perry told of how difficult it was for her to learn Spanish and her initial concerns about contributing in the mission. She went on, "Still, I could assist [my husband] by doing all the things I had learned in the MTC: singing hymns, praying, reading scriptures and bearing my testimony in the homes where we taught."

Ultimately, their mission consisted of "leadership, visiting inactive families, developing choirs, and teaching conducting and keyboard lessons."

As they were preparing to return home, they realized how the little things they had done for people had made such a difference in their lives; "a hug, a smile, a song, a shared testimony, a kind word." After their return, she captured these thoughts in a song, entitled "By Small and Simple Means." The song was particularly enjoyed by audiences on the concert tour.

Many commented that the Spirit was especially strong during two final numbers in which the audience and full-time missionaries joined in. The first was a medley consisting of "As Sisters in Zion" and "We'll Bring the World His Truth," with Sister Perry leading all of the women and girls and Brother Perry leading all of the men and boys.

The second was a song, originally written for the Japan Kobe Mission, titled "No Greater Joy." It tells of the fears experienced by members in attempting to share the gospel with loved ones and friends, but testifies of the joy that comes to those who overcome those fears. It has become a well-known song in many of the Japanese missions, so full-time missionaries or others familiar with the song were invited to join the performers in presenting this testimony to the audience.

© 2010 Deseret News Publishing Company

Janice Kapp Perry: Songwriter's life captured in film

Janice Kapp Perry: Songwriter's life captured in film

By Molly Farmer

Mormon Times
Published: 2010-01-27 12:00:41

A film chronicling the life of songwriter Janice Kapp Perry made it to the LDS Film Festival this January after airing on BYU TV for more than a year.

"Janice Kapp Perry: A Life of Service and Song," takes the viewer behind the sheet music and into the life of the accomplished composer. Directed by Clinton Baxter, the 60-minute documentary includes interviews from Perry's family as well as Craig Jessop, the former director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, among others.

Most church members -- especially out of Perry's state of Utah -- have likely never heard Perry's name, but they certainly have heard her music as evidenced by the touching footage of 800 children in Accra Ghana singing Perry's "I Love To See The Temple," at the temple dedication there in 2004. Kathleen Hinckley Barnes, former President Gordon B. Hinckley's daughter, recounted how emotive that experience was as she was there with her parents at the time of the dedication.

"It was a very powerful moment," she said.

Perry's repertoire includes the popular children's titles "I Pray in Faith," "Love is Spoken Here," "We'll Bring the World His Truth," and Kapp's personal favorite, "A Child's Prayer."

For members whose memory of Primary is a little foggy, they will certainly recognize "As Sisters in Zion," from the LDS hymn book. What's more, Perry's sheet music is popular for youth conferences and special musical numbers.

The most compelling aspects of the film is the love and support that is so evidently shared among Kapp's family. Her children each praise her as both a mother and a songwriter, and her husband, Douglas, is beyond proud of his wife's accomplishments.

Those familiar with Perry's works may be surprised to learn that her first love was sports -- not music. In fact, it wasn't until she was 38 and laid up at home after having broken her ankle while playing basketball that she started seriously writing, with the encouragement of her husband.

"Is there something safer (than sports) that would give you fulfillment?" he asked.

Perry soon sat down and wrote "I'll Follow Jesus," and then performed it for her family.

"It was very much like the sun coming up in the morning," said Douglas of the sweetness he felt as hearing it for the first time.

"There will probably never be another moment quite like it," added her son Steven Kapp Perry, a fellow songwriter following in his mother's footsteps.

The film dicsusses the broad reach of Perry's music, as one of her most famous songs is more patriotic than religious. Sen. Hatch and Perry collaborated on the song "Heal Our Land," which was sung at the second inauguration of George W. Bush by Pastor Wintley Phipps, and later on the Oprah Show by Phipps following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Perry says in the film that her testimony is what gives her inspiration.

"I think anything good that I have written has sprung from my testimony," she said.

---

E-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com

MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Copyright © 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company

The Untold Olympic Stories--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

The Untold Olympic Stories

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

From perfect 10s and world records to stunning athletic accomplishments and heartbreaking defeats, we marvel at the drama of the Olympic games. Something stirs in our souls as we witness the pageantry, the inspiring sportsmanship, and the extraordinary achievements on a world stage. But it may be that the greatest story of the Olympics is the story that’s never fully told or appreciated. Behind every athlete is a saga of endless hours of dedicated effort, of perseverance in the face of setbacks and disappointments, of hope of victory that motivates each athlete to keep going, keep striving, keep trying despite the odds. For every round of applause, there are countless hours of quiet toil; for every ovation, there are untold days of devoted practice; for every moment of coaching, there are continual months, even years, of solitary, lonely work. Such stories are not unique to Olympic athletes. Indeed, one powerful message of the Olympics is that excellence is all around us. Most of it is never acknowledged with gold medals and elaborate ceremonies—in fact, it may never be acknowledged at all. But the truth is that countless ordinary people everywhere deserve the gold of praise and thanks for living quiet lives of decency and honor and goodness. They may not compete on the world’s stage, but they bless their loved ones and families; they may not perform in front of millions, but they reach out to help and improve the life of someone in need; they may not grab headlines, but they make meaningful contributions in their communities and nations. Long after the Olympic torch is dimmed, these stories of dedicated work, sacrifice, and excellence can be as inspiring as the feats that thrill us during the Olympics. Program #4197 Musical Selection: 1. The Last Words of David 2. Brother James's Air 3. Praise the Lord with the Drums and Cymbals 4. On a Clear Day You can See Forever 5. Organ Interlude 6. Spoken Word 7. Call of the Champions

Talents to Share--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

Talents to Share

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

We all have special aptitudes, skills, or gifts. Some people can sing or play an instrument; some are athletic; others can write or draw. Some are especially friendly; some are good listeners; others can solve problems. Whatever our gifts may be, they are best expressed when we use them to help other people. A Chinese folktale, “Ma Liang and His Magic Brush,” tells of a poor orphan boy who had a gift for drawing. He had no paintbrush or even paper, so he used broken twigs to draw in wet sand or pieces of charcoal to draw on smooth stones. The more he drew, the more lifelike his sketches became. He longed for a paintbrush but barely earned enough money to survive. One night while Ma Liang slept, an apparition rose from the ocean and gave him a magic paintbrush. The spirit warned the boy: “If used to help others, it will bring joy and prosperity. If used unwisely, it will bring disaster.” Ma Liang soon learned the truth of those words. Whatever he painted with his new brush literally came to life. As long as he painted to help others or to fill a need, the brush blessed his life. But when others tried to take it from him or make him use it for selfish purposes, he met with disaster.1 Like Ma Liang, when we use our gifts for the benefit of others, we find joy and fulfillment in them. Recently, a widower decided that rather than staying home and feeling lonely, he would visit a retirement center and share his talent for singing. His performance touched those who listened. Some wiped tears from the corners of their eyes. No one wanted to leave when he finished. Something special took place that night because he was willing to share. We can all share something, so don’t hide your gifts. No matter your circumstances, use your skills and talents to bless other people. You’ll find that doing so not only multiplies your ability to give but also deepens your joy in giving. 1 See Yin-lien C. Chin, Yetta S. Center, and Mildred Ross, eds., Traditional Chinese Folktales (1996), 143–53. Program #4198 Musical Selections: 1. Fill the World with Love, from Goodbye, Mr. Chips 2. Scenes from the Miao Mountains 3. Festive Trumpet Tune (Organ) 4. Encircle the Child 5. Horses on the Grasslands (instrumental) 6. Spoken Word 7. Mo Li Hua 8. My Favorite Things, from The Sound of Music 9. Let There Be Peace on Earth