"VOICES FROM THE DUST"...our 2008 presentation

The talk which is printed here, spoken by President Ezra Taft Benson at General Conference in October 1998, is the talk that had a great influence on my life. He said that he had a vision of artists putting into words, music and pictures the great characters and themes of the Book of Mormon. He didn't know, but I had already begun. Please click to enlarge and read this wonderful talk. It may change your perspective about the Book of Mormon, like it did mine. These pages are from my journal. I included the testimony of Christopher Columbus, also in my writings, to help illustrate my feelings about why I started writing the music.

"Voices from the Dust" was finally written in 2006, and received a special award from the Church. I created this work to emphasize the importance of "the great characters and themes from the Book of Mormon" as defined by the prophet in 1988.

I asked Linda Sisneros, my friend and artist from Syracuse, Utah, to create this picture which shows that music can, indeed, come from the Book of Mormon. I've felt it, I know it, and I've done it.
This cover letter gives the central theme, synopsis and song list of the program, "Voices from the Dust."

The next two pages give the copyrighted song texts of the music.

page 2
THE KAYE STARR SINGERS, program specialists since 2000.
Top row L-R: Mike Burdett, Andria Tupola, Kent Petersen, Chris Castro, Jared Midgley

Middle row: Suzanne Horne, Krista Fisher, Craig Morris, Kathi Nickell, Shauna Morris

1st row: Cindy Bingham, Jason Bingham, Kaye Starr Heninger, Peter Danzig, Venice Williams Here I am. These pictures were artfully donated by Jim Winborg. Thank you, Jim!
Excerpts from my copyrighted script, "Voices from the Dust."

(The pictures used are from a purchased calendar. Please note that the artists are named. Thank you!)

We'd like to tell you about some of the great priciples taught from the Book of Mormon, and introduce you to some of the people that lived and died in that ancient world.

We'll begin with Father Lehi, who was a man of considerable means and great reputation in Jerusalem. While journeying through the Arabian wilderness, the prophet Lehi, a visionary man, had a dream in which he beheld the Tree of Life. He tasted of its sweet, white fruit, and it filled his soul with such exceeeding joy that he wanted his family to taste it as well.

What was that fruit? It was the pure love of Jesus Christ. The impact of that symbolic fruit remains as fresh and delicious for us today as it did to that tiny band of uprooted Israelites.

It is seldom we find a character in the history of the ancient world that was as faithful and righteous as that of Nephi. He delighted in the things of the Lord, but sorrowed in the weakness of his own flesh. He wrote, in beautiful prose, what is now known as "The Psalm of Nephi."

Years later in the Promised Land, the people of Nephi were called to go to the temple to hear the last words from their dying prophet, the great King Benjamin. Within his speech, King Benjamin addressed the cause of families...

Some of the most precious gospel teachings come from Abinadi, a prophet who was condemned to death and burned at the stake. In the face of seething anger and hatred, Abinadi's countenance shone with luster as he spoke to the wicked priests with power and authority from God,...

Alma the Elder, one of King Noah's Priests, repented from his sins and hid in the borders of the wilderness at a place called Mormon where there were thickets of small trees and fountains of pure water. Here in the midst of this verdant valley, and by the side of the inviting streams, Alma proclaimed the principles of everlasting life and baptized everyone that went forth...

Alma the Younger was a wicked and idolatrous man, taking pleasure in evil-doing. He, along with the four sons of the honorable King Mosiah, ridiculed and persecuted the saints and did great damage to the cause of the church. Their fathers prayed with much faith concerning their sons, and in answer to their prayers, an angel suddenly appeared before the young men, causing a terrible earth quake, terrifying the young men as they collapsed to the ground...

Ammon was one of the greatest, most endearing characters of Nephite history. His desire to serve the Lamanite King, Lamoni, led him to join the king's servants in protecting their flocks. When Lamoni heard of his miraculous service, he thought that Ammon must be the "Great Spirit," and believed all his words...
These inspiring stories are beautifully spoken by our artful narrator, Grant Barton, seated here with his wife, Sheri, after our presentation for an Ogden Temple group who celebrated at Maddox's in Brigham City, Utah.

Darin and Joyce Anderson. Joyce is our expert program accompanist, and also one of my talented daughters.
Suzanne Horne and Krista Fisher. Suzanne serves as our Secretary/Treasure and Krista is our Contact/Public Relations Specialist.
Dave Petersen, Dave Burdett, Kim Waite and Kent Petersen, father of Dave, who engineered our sound. Thanks, Dave! We couldn't have done it without you!

Kent sang the words of the great king, father of King Lamoni. Kim sang Queen Lamoni's words.
Chris Castro, soloist for "Cry in Your Wilderness," uses words from Alma 33 & 34. She serves as my Assistant Director and is my "right-hand man" in all that we do.