"Savior of the World"--Tammy

Well, as I mentioned before much of last year our family was very involved in a musical production put on by our ward/congregation at church. The production is titled: "Savior of the World: His birth and resurrection." It was originally produced and run by the church (our church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) at the Conference Center theater in Salt Lake City. A few years ago the church released the script and music so that it could be put on throughout the world. Usually it is produced by a stake (a group of congregations), or even my multiple stakes, but Greg, as the bishop of our ward, felt like it should be something our ward should do. It was something he gave a lot of thought and prayer to. He and I were familiar with the music of the production and loved to listen to it, especially at Christmas and Easter. He felt the church had given a lot of flexibility in the releasing of the materials, and that our little ward could do it. I don't think he imagined what an undertaking it would be. I hope that I get both Greg and Adam to blog about their experiences.

I was asked to serve on the committee that was to make all of this happen. I was particularly supposed to focus on publicity. I also ended up coordinating babysitting and doing all the emails and communication with the cast as well. I was also cast in the role of Mary's mother. Adam was cast as a shepherd boy, Nathan. From the time Greg was first thinking about having our ward do this to the time the production was put on was nearly 2 years. I wasn't really involved, except with talking things over with Greg, until 6 or 7 months before the show.

Well that is a little background. Now some of my impressions and feelings about it all. I must warn you that this has the potential to be a very long post.

There were some difficult things about it all. It was very exhausting, both emotionally and physically. Greg had such a vested interest in it, as did I. We knew about most every bump and hiccup, which can be difficult sometimes. If Adam and I could have just gone to rehearsal and done our parts I think it wouldn't have been so exhausting. It was just all the drama and changes and discouragement behind the scenes that made it difficult sometimes. It was eye opening to me to realize how much of this my husband has to deal with ALL THE TIME as the leader of our ward. He knows so much that most of us are oblivious to (thank heavens!). I was surprised, as well, how difficult it was to be the Bishop's wife and on the committee. It was really hard for me to find my place, and feel like I belonged. I don't usually feel this way, so it was something I had to really figure out. Usually I just forget I'm the Bishop's wife! He's just Greg to me, but not to everyone else.

I chose to mention the difficult first because I don't want to remember those things so much. There was so much more good than bad that came to me because of participation in this wonderful show. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts is the building of the relationship with Adam. I have sometimes worried about the strength of that relationship in the past. I feel like doing this with him has changed all of that. It was like he discovered that he actually liked something that I liked! We had something in common after all! I was so THRILLED to see him enjoy this so much. He was awesome on stage. He learned parts for the first time for many of the songs. I loved that it was just he and I going to rehearsals together. It seems so rare to have that chance for one on one with him, and he just eats it up. We even had 1 or 2 secret trips to Dairy Queen after rehearsals, which really made him feel special. He learned that music is powerful and can make you feel things. He learned more about the Savior and the events surrounding his birth and resurrection. It has really softened and sweetened our relationship. It has been awesome. It has been tender to see the growth he has experienced as well. These would have made the show worth it for me by it self, but there's more!

I think it also strengthened my relationship with Greg. I felt him in the supporting role, where I usually am. It was a wonderful feeling. He wanted me to be a part of this. He wanted to watch the kids so I could rehearse. He put things on hold in his busy schedule so I could do this. He ran lines with me. He listened to me sing. He listened to my concerns and fears. Although he has never said this, I feel like at least part of the reason he chose for our ward to do this, was for me. Just for me. I can't thank him enough.

On a bigger scale I think it had a similar affect on our ward, softening and sweetening our relationships with each other. So many people were involved with each other, working together for this big common goal, this tangible, feel good goal. We were learning about the Savior together, we were singing about the Savior together, we were thinking about the Savior together. It made us view each other differently. It made me realize there are Peters and Marys among us. It made me see them as servants of the Lord. It was wonderful to come and feel the spirit at the rehearsals, to see people I know and love and realize that we all wanted the same thing, to testify of him, to have people see in us some of the good that is in Jesus Christ, to share his love with others. It was awesome. It really did bind many of us together.

This experience also had a great impact on me, personally. I think by nature I am a pretty spiritual person. I am sensitive and feel things deeply. I have always known Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that he loves me, and that he atoned for my sins. I have felt it, at times the feeling even overwhelming me with love and gratitude. I never imagined how much more REAL it all could seem to me. I don't know a better word than REAL. Much of the script is taken directly from the scriptures. Participating in and watching these scenes just made me love these people from the scriptures and feel how real they are. Zacharias, Elisabeth, Mary, Joseph, Peter, Mary Magdalene, and others. It was almost surreal, feeling as though I had been transported back in time and was really a part of these important events, or as if a hologram was popped right out of my scriptures depicting actual events. As I said, I have believed and known these things my whole life, but my understanding, my reality of it all increased so much. How grateful I am for the Savior, and for those who loved and cared for him on earth.

As Mary's mother I had a solo to sing. It was short and simple, but sweet. Doing this has given me so much more confidence. I love to sing, but I don't love to sing by myself in front of a lot of people. It is like this has reawakened a part of me that I forgot was there, a part of me that I love! It made me remember how much I love music, how much music soothes the soul and lifts and teaches. After months of rehearsals I got to feeling pretty comfortable, and it certainly has gotten me singing more at home again. It is funny how things work. Since the play, I sang a solo in sacrament meeting and I am going to sing at a Relief Society (the woman's organization at church) enrichment this month. I also was just called to be the Primary chorister. I feel like "Savior of the World" has made me sing again!

Participating in our wards production of "Savior of the World" was awesome. It strengthened me, and many of the relationships I have, including my relationship with the Savior. I hope that the things I have learned have made me better, kinder, more loving, more grateful, more like the Savior.

Here are a few pictures of Adam and I. When Greg gets back from India I will have him help me with some video we have. I will also look for pictures from others (remember I busted our camera in November. we didn't get a new one until the week of the play).