My wife and kids all believe that I have a terrible memory. I think I took a couple more shots to the head in high school football than I should have. I assure them it doesn’t mean I have permanently damaged brain power. There are just some things I would prefer to forget! (Especially when it is going to cost me time or money).
There are a few things that stick in my head for a long time. It seems my brain categorizes them in a “do not forget” file or something. Most of these memories have had a lasting impact on my life. One of the memories from the “do not forget” file is a story told in the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in October 1981. Elder David B. Haight gave the talk. I was able to meet Elder Haight and his wonderful wife Ruby about a year later when they visited the mission I was serving in. That experience made it to the “do not forget” file also. They were remarkable people and very funny!
Wait, what was I talking about? Oh ya, Elder Haight’s talk. I’m just going to quote the story directly from him.
“Arturo Toscanini, the late, famous conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, received a brief, crumpled letter from a lonely sheepherder in the remote mountain area of Wyoming:
Mr. Conductor: I have only two possessions—a radio and an old violin. The batteries in my radio are getting low and will soon die. My violin is so out of tune I can’t use it. Please help me. Next Sunday when you begin your concert, sound a loud “A” so I can tune my “A” string; then I can tune the other strings. When my radio batteries are dead, I’ll have my violin.
At the beginning of his next nationwide radio concert from Carnegie Hall, Toscanini announced: “For a dear friend and listener back in the mountains of Wyoming the orchestra will now sound an “A.” The musicians all joined together in a perfect “A.”
The lonely sheepherder only needed one note, just a little help to get back in tune; he could go on from there. He needed someone who cared to assist him with one string; the others would be easy. Then, with all the strings in tune—in harmony—the lonely sheepherder would have a source of companionship and joy and could play uplifting strains.”
I don’t think I will ever forget that message. To me it has perfect pitch. There have been numerous times in my life (that I remember) where I needed a note and someone played it for me. It helped me remember who I am and make a serious effort to get—or keep—my life in tune. These notes seem to literally strike a chord deep within me that I cannot hear in any other way. I believe it is the Spirit of God that helps us make a connection to our eternal nature and encourages good in our life.
Even more fulfilling than hearing the perfect note in my life is an occasional opportunity to play the note for someone else. This experience is almost always in the form of giving service or just kindness to another who is feeling their life is out of tune. Such an experience happened for me years ago.
A member of my Ward (congregation) asked me to go and visit an elderly family member in a hospital about 30 miles from my home. I had never met him, but loved his extended family, and agreed to go. I went, visited for a while and gave a Priesthood blessing. I felt good about having made an effort to help, but the note played that day was as much to me as anyone else and unrelated to our visit.
As I exited the hospital elevator and started across the lobby, I saw a woman seated on a lobby bench. She looked tired and her face appeared much older than the age I would have guessed her to be. Both of her wrists were bandaged in rather large white wraps. I could only imagine her life experience and suffering. As I walked by I got a distinct impression that I should tell her that she was of great worth and God was mindful of her. I continued walking toward the door thinking how awkward that would be, but the note persisted.
A couple of steps out of the door I realized I would regret not following this thought, so I turned around and went back.
She was sitting on a bench and had dropped her head down staring at the floor. I walked to her. She didn’t lift her head, so I knelt in front of her. Her eyes came up to meet mine. Her face remained expressionless ; she just looked at me. I told her that I was sent to give her a message. It was that she is a beautiful person and a child of God and that He knows her and is aware of her troubles. Her reaction was one of those moments my bad memory stored forever. Her countenance changed. She seemed to wonder if what I said could really be true, and then big tears started to roll down her cheeks. She never said a word. She didn’t need to. I left the hospital with a full heart and tear filled eyes. Even though I was the one sent to play the note, my experience hearing it was as powerful as hers. Someone else was the conductor for the benefit of both of us. He always is. This conductor sends out a perfect pitch every time. I hope we will learn to hear it and tune our lives to be in harmony.
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Jerry is the author of “Partners with God, Using His Teachings and Example to Raise Our Kids” and has been a guest speaker at numerous gatherings, firesides and organization events, as well as working as a facilitator for individual families.
Jerry and his wife Melanie are the parents of 12 children and currently have 13 grandchildren.