Il Coro

In the late seventies I served as a missionary in Italy for the Mormon Church. I, along with many other members who have a strong connection to the land of Italy rejoiced when the announcement finally came in 2008 that a Temple would be built in Rome. When I thought about the eventual completion, celebration, and dedication of this Temple, it seemed to me a momentous enough occasion that I felt it likely the Mormon Tabernacle Choir might perform at the time in Italy as part of a world tour. (This is just an assumption; no official announcement has been made as far as I know.)

I checked the construction timelines of a couple of Temples recently completed in Western Europe. It appeared we should expect at least eight years to pass before the Temple in Rome would be built and dedicated. I also knew from personal experience that the likelihood of “red tape” and snafus might stretch that timeline even further. Well, it ended up to be a wait of 11 years from announcement to dedication for the Rome Temple.

Seven years ago, shortly after I was released as Bishop in my LDS ward, I seriously considered auditioning for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir partly because I wanted to be part of that Rome dedication if the Choir were to perform there.

After long, serious deliberation, I decided not to pursue membership in the Choir.

The age policy of the Tab Choir means that I would have had to join by age 55, and I would have “aged out” by now, a year short of the Rome Temple Dedication. So, that wouldn’t have happened for me anyway.

Backstory finished, here is my point: I had served as a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple until it closed for renovation two years ago. As part of its reopening it will be re-dedicated. There will be three different dedication sessions and a unique, small, twenty voice choir for each session. I have been asked to sing with one of the choirs for this reopening and re-dedication.

Partial life goal accomplishment (98% out of 100%) granted for this great event. I wouldn’t have ended up in the Tab Choir for Rome anyway even if they are involved, and I get to sing for “my” Temple, which is pretty much more appropriate. I feel strongly that the Lord has guided me and allowed this great blessing in His own way.

As a side note, when watching the Choir sing this weekend, I can pick out at least a handful of men who appear to be older than sixty years old.