President Boyd K. Packer: Still, small voice more felt than heard
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Standing at the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Saturday afternoon, President Boyd K. Packer recalled how, 46 years ago, he had come to that pulpit as a new Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. Finding himself among venerable and wise prophets and apostles, he felt "keenly inadequate."
"About that time here in the Tabernacle I had a defining experience. It gave me assurance and courage."
President Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, related how he walked in a south door of the Tabernacle as a choir of Primary children was singing the opening song of the Primary conference, held in those days prior to April general conference. They sang: "Reverently, quietly, lovingly we think of thee; Reverently, quietly, softly sing our melody. Reverently, quietly, humbly now we pray, Let thy Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts today."
Remembering those young voices blending into a "melody of inspiration, of revelation," President Packer said, "That was the defining moment. It fixed deeply and permanently in my soul that which I most needed to sustain me in the years to follow. ... In that defining moment, I understood that the still, small voice is felt more than heard. If I hearkened to it, I would be all right in my ministry.
"After that I had the assurance that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, is there for everyone who will respond to the invitation to ask, to seek, to knock. I knew then I would be all right. As the years have unfolded, so it has been."
After sharing this personal memory of the Tabernacle on Temple Square, President Packer then spoke of the sacred nature of the historic edifice and its place in the spiritual history of the Church, including the sacred music performed during the weekly broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir. "Great events which shaped the destiny of the Church have occurred in this Tabernacle at Temple Square. Every president of the Church, except Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, has been sustained in a solemn assembly in this Tabernacle."
In 1880, within its walls, the Pearl of Great Price was accepted as one of the standard works of the Church. Among many other events, sections 137 and 138 were added to the Doctrine and Covenants. In 1979, the LDS version of the King James Bible was introduced to the Church, as, later, were the new editions of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.
Continuing, President Packer warned about the adversary. "He will cover, even erase the still, small voice through loud and dissonant music awash with lyrics that cannot be understood — or worse, lyrics that can be understood. He will carefully lead us astray with every other temptation he can devise."
President Packer explained that the same Spirit that is felt in the Tabernacle and in the Conference Center during general conference is transferred "without being diminished" via satellite to thousands of congregations throughout the world and, also, into the homes of Latter-day Saints. "In the homes, parents pray for the well-being of their children. Men and women and, as the Book of Mormon promised, even little children can receive the testimony of Jesus Christ and of the Restoration of His gospel."
Speaking of the nature of the Tabernacle as a "house of prayer," President Packer emphasized that it is not so much what is heard in sermons, but what is felt. "The Holy Ghost can confirm to all who come within its influence that the messages are true, that this is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The Tabernacle stands here next to the temple as an anchor and has become symbolic of the Restoration. It was built by very poor and very, very ordinary people. It is now known worldwide," he added.
"The Tabernacle Choir, identified by the name of this building, has been a voice of the Church for many years. May they never drift from or allow themselves to be pulled away from the central mission which has been their place for generations.
"The Tabernacle stands in the world as one of the great centers of worthy music and culture. But most of all, it stands as a standard of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That simple testimony was deeply embedded in me here in this building by those Primary children singing in reverent, revelatory tones."
