A story is told (by Elder Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy) of a young doctor treating a Native American Indian who was not responding to his questions. Finally, the old man looked at him and said, “Do you dance?” Thinking that this strange question may lead to answers for treatment, the doctor returned the question, “No, I don’t dance. Do you dance?” The old man said, “yes”. Then, the doctor asked, “Could you teach me to dance?” He said, “I can teach you to dance, but you have to hear the music.”(condensed/paraphrased.)
“Sometimes in our homes, we successfully teach the dance steps but are not as successful in helping our family members to hear the music. And as the old medicine man well knew, it is hard to dance without music. Dancing without music is awkward and unfulfilling—even embarrassing. Have you ever tried it?
In section 8 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord taught Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (D&C 8:2). We learn the dance steps with our minds, but we hear the music with our hearts. The dance steps of the gospel are the things we do; the music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. It brings a change of heart and is the source of all righteous desires. The dance steps require discipline, but the joy of the dance will be experienced only when we come to hear the music. “(See the complete talk; The Music of the Gospel by Elder Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy)
God created this Earth for us to be challenged, tested and blessed in becoming more like Him. He wants us to enjoy the journey and has given us guidelines (the commandments) that we, through following Christ’s teachings have that real joy in the process. His path leads to blessings of joy for the journey now and a permanent reward in the hereafter, that includes ‘all that the Father hath’ (see D&C 84:38).
For every plan and blessing from God, the adversary has a counterfeit that gives immediate gratification but, long term, estranges us from our Savior and Heavenly Father. Hearing and dancing to the music of the gospel and teaching it to family and friends, means we live the joy in life, understanding that weaknesses, challenges and difficult days, months (sometimes even years) become our ‘cross to bear’. In bearing such cheerfully a greater reward awaits hereafter. This life is but a ‘drop in the bucket’ of our eternal existence. It is extremely short sighted to sour the whole contents of our eternity by following the adversary, even for a short time. He wraps us in chains of darkness and disbelief. The Lord’s plan expands our minds with righteous opportunity and gloriously sets us free from bondage forever. Hearing and dancing to the music brings joy to the ‘equation’. kdm
