For Such A Time As This

In 2014, I started working on a musical program called “For Such A Time As This”. It was going to be the followup program to my “Thy God, My God: Strength from the Lives of Biblical Women” CD, with songs sung by Mother Eve, Ruth and Naomi, Sarah (Abraham’s Wife), Rebekah (Isaac’s Wife), Esther, Mary and Martha, and more. I knew the program had the potential to be amazing. Unfortunately when my marriage started falling apart, I knew I needed to focus elsewhere.

For many years, this program sat on the back burner. There were so many other things that seemed more important to focus on. In addition, I also lost most of the music files that I had previously written. Though I did keep some printed copies of the songs in a binder, trying to finish these songs meant a ton of work. I was going to have to re-enter a ton of songs, finish arrangements, and somehow come up with a script that would tie all the songs together. It seemed like a ton of work, and definitely was overwhelming.

Last week, in the temple, I had the impression that I needed to again pull out this project. It’s something I wanted to do, but just didn’t feel like it was the right timing yet. With “Reflections of Eternity” finished, I knew I did have time. Each day I worked on a different song, re-entering it, and fixed up arrangements that still needed help. It actually didn’t take as long as I expected it to!

Some of the arrangements I had already completed. They were already in The “Light” Room, waiting for people to download. Others needed a lot more help, but since I’m faster at entering music into the computer, it only took me a few hours for each one.

I really wasn’t sure how I was going to put the program together. Some of the songs were written in first person, as if the women was in the moment, singing the song, but for others, it was more like a travel log, explaining about the women’s personal experience.

The last couple of days, and especially last night, I started writing out a tentative script. Again, it wasn’t as hard as I had expected. I started with just the lyrics, typing each of them in the order of the women’s appearance in the scriptures. I also had the idea that Eve could serve as the narrator, and tie each of the songs together as messages Eve’s trying to share. Some of the women could share their experience in person, and others could be vignettes. The ideas flowed and the script came together pretty easily.

I don’t know when I’ll finish the program, but I’m happy it’s on it’s way. After I finish the vocal/piano arrangements and the script, I’ll attempt to try and orchestrate the songs myself. I’m not great at orchestrating, but I’m sure I’ll learn from the experience. I’m hoping that maybe I’ll have enough musician friends and singers that we could pull off a performance. It doesn’t seem too far “out there”.

I don’t know what the purpose of all this is right now. I do know that I enjoy working on it, and it definitely feels like something I should be doing. As I listened to General Conference this last weekend, I felt strongly that I needed to continue sharing my talents. I want people to be able to see my light and know that I love the gospel. I’d love for people to be inspired by music that I’ve written. Maybe that’s the reason all this is – For Such A Time As This!