Have you ever had a chance to listen to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square? Well, I didn’t even know it existed until after I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My first exposure was probably when I watched General Conference when I was a kid. (Side note: General Conference is held twice a year, and several of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints address the worldwide church). As a teenager, its music started to grow on me. I loved listening to its renditions of some of my favorite hymns. Now, I listen to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square at least once a week on my way to work or on Sundays.
So when a member of my congregation announced early in 2016 that the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square was asking individuals to submit videos to be part of their virtual Hallelujah chorus, I, of course, went home and downloaded the music right away. But life happened, and I forgot all about practicing until the last minute. The deadline was March 1, 2016. I had sung “Hallelujah” once before when I was in a high school choir. I forgot how tough it was. I spent the day I submitted the video mostly practicing. My very patient husband was kind enough to record me several times until I finally felt like I sounded the best. It was hard because I had to wear headphones to listen to the music and follow the director along on my iPad while looking at the camera and trying to remember the words and the notes. Had I spent every day practicing leading up to that point, it would’ve been way easier. I almost backed out of it too. I felt so silly. My husband convinced me to just upload it. What did I have to lose? Not get selected? Ok, fair enough. So on February 28, 2016, I submitted this video:
I kept waiting with anticipation for Sunday, March 13, 2016 because that was the day that the final virtual choir video was to be released. The day finally came. The final video was amazing! Such talent from all over the world joining the powerful voices of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. It was grand! Then, small screens started appearing all over the background. I started scanning for my video. I found it right about 2:18 minutes in at the bottom left hand corner. Check it out:
I made it! At least for a couple of seconds, but my voice was blended in throughout. What an amazing experience! I hope they do another virtual choir one day! What are your thoughts on the final video? I am not sure if I show up anywhere else, but if you find me, comment below. I’ve looked several times, and 2:18 seems to be the only place.
With the Easter season upon us, I felt it was fitting to share that song. But let’s break down the scriptural references used in “Hallelujah.” First of all, what does the word hallelujah mean? According to the Bible dictionary, it means praise ye the Lord. It is an exclamation of praise, and praise is being given unto the Lord several times throughout the song.
So, why are we praising the Lord?
Reason number one is found in Revelation 19:6:
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
We are rejoicing over the fact that the Lord reigns over the Earth and has dominion over all. The fact that He has overcome the grave and was resurrected gives us cause to rejoice because no one else in the history of mankind had accomplished this before, and it gives Him the right to reign, seeing that He is God’s only begotten Son.
This brings us to reason number two, found in Revelation 19:16:
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
He is in fact King over all earthly kings, and Lord over all earthly lords. He is the Almighty, the Son of the most high God, God’s anointed, the King of Israel, the Savior of the world, and so much more. The scriptures give us several of Christ’s names and titles. Can you make a list of all the names you have found or heard? Why are these names so important to us? If you go over your list and ponder each of those names, you will find that they have a special meaning to you. Christ encompasses so much and accomplished more than any of us combined could hope to accomplish ourselves. We praise the fact that He is known for all of these titles and rejoice for all that He has achieved.
Reason number three is found in Revelation 11:15:
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Aren’t you tired of all the unrighteous dominion everywhere in the world? I can’t wait until the day when Christ will come down and finally take His righteous place as our world leader. No more drama as to who paid someone off to pass x, y, and z, who voted for who or what, who rigged what election, who decided their agenda was more important than the safety and peace of an entire nation, etc. Christ will make all things right. He will be the most honest and charitable leader we will ever have.
We can rejoice over all of this and so much more. What are some things that you have cause to praise the Lord? Please share them by commenting below. May you have a wonderful Easter with your loved ones.
Last posts of this series: