Karl Jenkins- Benedictus.  

Put all your distractions on hold to listen to this wonderful piece of music that Karl Jenkins presents. Also pay attention to the slides shown in the concert. Think of the journey you have walked with me and the historic landscape we have seen together. Did you learn something new? Perhaps you have learned what is the greatest sorrow  and the greatest joy.  You may also have learned what it is that we need to protect.

War and peace permeate the universe and are the pulse of creation.  They are punctilious in nature and follow a pattern. It is hard to discern the pattern when we are part of it. We can, however, be grateful to our forefathers who left behind records for future generations, allowing us to see the eternal knot of which we are a part. We can be grateful for our historians today as we weave our own experiences as a nation for the benefit of those who are yet to come.

Here is an excerpt from some historical records that were translated from metal plates (600BC-400AD). “Behold, I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And my father was also killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfill the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore, I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. And my father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

Behold, 400 hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted our people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is in the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war with one another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.”

Witnessing such utter destruction and loss, Moroni was able to stand outside of the pattern and express hope for the future, looking to a God of miracles. His pain brought him to his knees but he ackowledged the important process of getting up. Those who stand the tallest are the ones who’ve encountered the fall.

Standing tall with parental concern, he adds: “Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead: for I know that ye shall have my words. Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before me; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.”

Let’s remember those who’ve gone before us. From out of the dust their cries are heard. Composer, Karl Jenkins has heard these cries, and reflects their feelings in his work.

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