"BEHOLD THE LAMB"...A Miracle of Love

Song adapted from I Nephi 11:13-21

(Some of the pictures shown below to illustrate this story are used without permission, and I regret that I have since lost the artist's contact information. If you are the artist, please contact me. I am currently looking for an illustrator for this story.)

THE CHRISTMAS TREASURE

A Miracle of Love

by Kaye Starr Heninger

By mid October there was a decided crispiness to the air, and I embarked on one of my walks. While watching the leaves fall from the trees, I wore a headset to hear a recording of The Book of Mormon. Soon, a longing came into my heart to write a new Christmas song, particularly one using Book of Mormon scripture.

Nephi desired to know the things that his father had seen in a dream, and he believed the Lord was able to make them known to him, also. Strangely, Nephi was just a youth at that time. The reality of that fact bore directly into my soul. Nephi saw the heavens open, and an angel came down and stood before him and asked, "Nephi, what did you see?" "A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins," was Nephi's reply to the angel. The angel also taught him that she was 'exceedingly fair and white,' introducing her as the earthly mother of the Son of God. Nephi then beheld that she was 'carried away in the Spirit' for a space of time, and then returned, 'bearing a child in her arms.'
I knew that would make a gorgeous Christmas song. I turned off my headset and listened to the rustle of the leaves as they fell to the ground. The words, 'I beheld the city of Nazareth. And in the city of Nazareth, I beheld a virgin,' were paramount in my mind as I made my way up Fernwood Drive. Amazingly, a tune came floating into my heart that fit those words. I sang it over and over to myself as I turned around and ran back down the hill.
I couldn't get home fast enough. I wanted to write that beautiful melody down before I forgot it. I ran from the piano to the table to write, then play, then write, then play, and created two pages with the following words: 'I beheld the city of Nazareth. And in that city of Nazareth, I beheld a virgin. She was fair, the most beautiful virgin above them all. She was so fair. She was exceedingly fair and white.'
When I had finished that much, I was energized and felt...in a divine way...Mary's beauty and purity.
Images of red roses and the color of all shades of pink to rose-red flooded my mind; it seemed I was experiencing pure love. I proceeded to pen words and music describing Mary's beauty.
A distinct impression told me the song should not be about Mary. Bewildered, I asked out loud, "Why not? I had experienced it; I should write it." Ignoring the prompting, I proceeded to create page three with more musical sounds to describe the Virgin Mary.
It became increasingly difficult; there was no more music. The lilting strains had vanished as quickly as they had come. Where was the beauty I had felt, and why was it so dark in the room?
The highest point of scriptural narrative in the Book of Mormon...the pinnacle of the story...is this proclamation: 'Behold the Lamb, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!' The song was supposed to be about Him, and not about Mary. Simple as that.
I started over on page three, and the music came easily. Soon after, I awoke in the middle of the night with the urgent desire to finish the piece. It was getting cold, and outside the wind was whipping through the trees. With my quilt wrapped snugly around me, I sat at the piano with my scriptures, pencil and paper, and prayed that I might receive the music I needed to represent the sound of heavenly angels. Then I waited.I prayed and fussed around on the piano for awhile, then grew weary of the late hour and my pathetic attempts. One more time I tried my right hand on the piano and "accidentally" played what I needed. It was perfect, and I quickly incorporated that melodic structure into a Soprano/Alto duet and, after a prayer of thanks, went to bed.
The story does not end there. Seven years later Brent and I went to Nazareth. This town in Israel contains many sites today which remind worshipers of important events in the life of Jesus.
One of these important places is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel. It was built in 1781 and stands above a source of the ancient spring which feeds the "Virgin's Fountain." This is the place where many Orthodox Christians believe the Annunciation took place.
When we entered that dark church, the clamor of tourists echoed loudly and irreverently, offending the ears of our quiet little group. We watched as they pushed down the hall toward the northernmost corner of the church. Located there was a gated pipe of water...what was left of a biblical spring. Our guide gathered us away from the noise and taught us about the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary, announcing that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. He explained that the angel may have instructed Mary at that well, where it was customary for young girls to be found as they fetched water for their families. On a higher order, we appreciated the symbolism of the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ taking place at a spring, or the "Fountain of Living Waters." We learned that fresh springs, bubbling down the rocky hills in Nazareth, could have been the newsy centers in the small towns of those days. Obviously, the news the Angel Gabriel brought to Mary was the best news of the world.
The noise was deafening, but I closed my eyes. I strained to hear our humble guide describe the setting and repeat the few available scriptures we have on the subject. As I listened, the racket made by the other tourists diminished, and I seemed to travel back in time to Nazareth as described in the Bible, where Mary grew up as a young girl. In my mind's eye, I "saw" the rocky hills and the clear water that bubbled around her feet. Then, for the second time in my life, I felt her beauty.
From that miracle has come a beautiful song, "Behold the Lamb." It gives us an opportunity to sing about the birth of Jesus Christ, and it sounds like love. It is "The Christmas Treasure."

SONG: "WATERS OF MORMON"

The Waters of Mormon is a beautiful place described in the Book of Mormon. I became acquainted with Dr. Joseph Allen, who conducts Book of Mormon tours. In his book, "Sacred Sites," on page 34, you'll see a place he believes is the "Waters of Mormon," Lake Atitlan, located 90 miles west of Guatemala City. Please click on the picture and read more.

"How beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer." (My favorite passage of that scripture.)

The Waters of Mormon could have been at Lake Atitlan.

Alma baptized many people at the waters of Momon, which may have looked like these waters in Guatemala. (This picture came from "Preach My Gospel.")
I began composing this piece in 1988, and soon after started organ and composition lessons from Dr. Rulon Christensen at Weber State College.

Waters of Mormon, original copy, p1

Dr. Christensen told me his favorite part of my song was the second chorus, shown here at bottom after the double bar. This passage is the apex of the piece, and thrills the soul to hear it. It's included on our "Voices from the Dust" program.
The most beautiful place for people is where they are when they learn about the Savior. For me, it is at the piano, my "Waters of Mormon." I have received much divine help while seated on the piano bench, with my scriptures in front of me, and paper and pencil in my hand.

My "Waters of Mormon," about 1993.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Items in our promo packet are shown as follows:

Cover letter with invitation to our presentations, includes contact and blog info. Please click to enlarge these pictures so you can read them

The 2008 Kaye Starr Singers Bio

Kaye Starr Heninger 2008 Bio

Voices from the Dust Cover letter.

Promotional DVD: 17 minutes of our program which premiered at the Lion House

My favorite story, "Lit with Fire," which explains why I write this music.

RESPONSES FROM LISTENERS

Gratefully, we have received hundreds of wonderful and positive responses through the years. Many came from those who sponsored our program, or just from the listeners, themselves. Here are just a few of them. Please click and read; they're very good! (Also note the different dates. We've been doing this for a long time!)

Temple Square Concert Series, 1993

Temple Square Mission, 1995
Many different listeners and leaders from around the world (from the '90's).
Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

W. Herbert Klopfer, Church Music Department
Idaho Falls Idaho South Stake. I still remember this program presented for over 700 youth, parents and leaders following a stake Book of Mormon reading program. "The Spirit of God, Like a Fire" was burning that day.
A thank you from Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, General Relief Society President. She went to school with Brent at "Dear Old Davis High School" in Kaysville, Utah.
From Cottonwood 10th Ward in SLC, UT. This was a very spiritual experience.

TWO SONGS FOR JAMIE

I wish you could meet Jamie, an angel who became my friend. She's a sufferer of EB, a congenital skin disease that has mangled her thin hands into sore stumps, and every movement gives her pain. This picture reveals she was featured in the ENSIGN magazine, March 2006. Her mother, Sheila Gibson, my best friend from my early teens, begged me to please come and stay with her then 19-year-old daughter, and write a song for her.

Best friends, Sheila, age 16, Shirley, my sister, age 15 and Kaye Starr, age 17, 1961

At Sheila's request, I began my work on Jamie's favorite and most comforting hymn, "Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide." Jamie was always talking about the Savior. She would say, "If I willingly endure as Jesus did, I can help fulfill His plan and be a part of His great work." She was surrounded by an aura of light; I could almost see it.

Jamie in 2006

I believe that the most beautiful modulations and heavenly passages that can be heard in this piece came because Jamie would lay on the couch beside me while I composed it. I believe angels were in the room at the time. Why not? She was there, and they were helping her. Possessing the most beautifully angelic and etherial voice, Jamie could honestly sing the words, "Thy walk today with me has made my heart within me burn, as I communed with Thee."

This is the original, written at the Gibson home, Pleasant Grove, Utah, in 1997. Later I created a Male Quartet with SATB Choir arrangement of this piece that was recorded and paid for by Wade Cook, public benefactor and promoter of good music. It's heard on the "Sacred Classics" recording that I have spoken of earlier. It's a favorite on that album.
Jamie loves to watch the rain because it makes her happy. Any kind of rain, loud, soft, black rain or white rain, makes her reflect, think and then pray. She wanted me to write a song about rain. When she went to Ricks College, Idaho, to school, I found myself spending more time at the Rock Chapel by my home in Layton to be alone. There, in a sacred room, I placed my hands on the piano keys and asked the Lord to specifically move my hands to sound like Jamie's rain. He did!

Here it is: Jamie's rain, using the melody of "There is an Hour of Peace and Rest." Exactly! That's what rain did for Jamie. It gave her an hour of peace and rest, and allowed her to commune again with her Savior.

Here's the original piano score. These notes represent a thunder storm. I stand back and look at this arrangement. I'm amazed how it all came together. I could never have done it alone. Jamie, this one's for you.

This was also recorded by Wade Cook. It's a wonderful arrangement! Thank you, Jamie!Quoting from the ENSIGN article: "Jamie was the second of Jim and Sheila Gibsons' children born with EB. Her older brother Ben also suffered from the disease and passed away at age 19. Most people with EB are not expected to live past the age of 30, as the sores and scar tissue often lead to infection, malnutrition, and skin cancer."

Jamie and Taylor Hartley were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple December 9, 2005. Jamie didn't know she would ever have the blessing of marriage in this life.

Jamie is an angel living on earth. Through her, I have had the privilege to be in the presence of a heavenly spirit, who changed my life and helped me make heavenly music.
Jamie's parents are two more angels dwelling on the earth. Jim Gibson says, "Just a couple weeks before Ben's death, Jamie and Ben both received their endowments in the Salt Lake Temple. For the last time in this life, we had all four of our children together with us, and in the celestial room we embraced in a family hug. It was a special highlight of my life."

Brent and Kaye Starr Heninger, left, with Sheila and Jim Gibson, 2005

We're still best friends.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

WINNER OF THE DESERET DRAMATIC ARTS AWARDS, 2006 AND 2007

"Voices from the Dust" was one of six awarded the Deseret Dramatic Arts Award in the LDS Church 2007 contest. The Kaye Starr Singers premiered the program at the Lion House March 20, 2008. Here, with my husband, Brent, and mother, Maudie Mae Bradley, I received the award from Michael Magleby, Church Music Department head, shown second from left.
"Songs of the Prophets" won the same award in 2006. Winners were honored at a featured concert two evenings in February 2007.

Grant Barton is a co-author of the narrative for "Songs of the Prophets." Here he is shown with his wife, Sheri, at an awards luncheon hosted by the church in the Church Office Building.
My parents, Maudie Mae and Jim Bradley attended the concert at night.
CALIFORNIA TOUR, APRIL 2007
Elaine Bailey promoted several very successful missionary events.

Kaye Starr Heninger from Salt Lake City, UT with Elaine Bailey from Los Gatos, CA

We were friends since we were teens.

This flyer was beautifully printed and circulated in much of the greater San Jose, CA areas.
The Kaye Starr Singers in California, 2007
A CD was produced by Dave Petersen and funded by Elaine Bailey, in conjunction with the efforts of Jay Ballard Sampson and the LDS Church. This CD features the children's chorus, who traveled to California with us. Missionaries and members from 11 stakes from the San Jose area attended the presentations in Sacrament Meeting and Saturday and Sunday evening firesides.
Chris Castro and Suzanne Horne lent invaluable help in organizing the trip. Here they are shown outside adjusting costumes just before a performance.
Elaine Bailey' selfless spirit of love and service will always be remembered. Thank-you, Elaine!

HAWAII TOUR, MAY 2007

Bodie and Beth Uale hosted our tours on the island of Oahu. We were very fortunate to rehearse in their lovely home in Honolulu.
It was a great privilege to hear Bodie and Justin Uale sing one of my Book of Mormon duets, "Psalm of Nephi"
The ladies of the Kaye Starr Singers travel to Laie to sing in a Sacrament Meeting near the LDS temple. We had so much fun together. The Uale's know so many extra friendly people in this wonderful and beautiful place.
L to R: Shauna Morris, Cindy Bingham, Krista Fisher, Kaye Starr, Andria Uale Tupola, Kelly Fisher and Beth Uale
The guys have fun too! L to R: Craig Morris, Jason Bingham, The Uale brothers, Gale Thompson, Don Heninger, Brent Heninger
Andria, our alto and wonderful hostess for this event, her brothers and mother, at the temple.

Nellie Jenks, our dear family friend, was hostess for the musical tour on the big island of Hawaii.
My mother, Nellie and Janice Heninger, waiting for the Kona Sacrament Meeting to begin.
The Kona troupe gather for some real Hawaiin music by the seashore. What fun!
Akaka Falls. We enjoyed so many sights and so much friendship.
Right in front of everyone, I get kissed by my sweetheart, Brent.
Everyone wanted a picture!
Help! Brent had to come up for air! Such passion!
Here, in the Kona chapel, the spirit of our message was felt by everyone. We lingered long with new-found friends. This was an unforgettable and rewarding experience.
St George, Utah Tour with Gabriel, February 2007
The Kaye Starr Singers

Gabriel joins our group. This presentation of "Break Forth into Joy!" filled the Dixie College Institute chapel and cultural hall with 800 people. You'll have to get the recording!
OUR ISRAEL TOUR, SEPT 2000

"Promise" and "The Kaye Starr Singers" join together in a benefit concert at Weber. This very successful event enabled us to sing in Israel.

George Dyer and Spence Kinnard were featured performers.
We get to sing in Israel!

Pictured are combined members of both choirs standing in the foyer of the Jerusalem Center. Several hundred other singers were also invited to sing the Hosanna program by Lex de Azevedo, which was accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
Please click to enlarge these pictures. This was our tour group. We were assigned the name, "The Tribe of Dan"

Don Burt Heninger, Kent Petersen and Tom Webber stand at En Herod Springs, where Gideon once chose the army which delivered Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.

It was Kent and Tom that spearheaded the donations for the benefit concert. Don Burt Heninger and others in the choir sold many tickets. Everyone took an active part to make this happen.

Lurlynn Warren executed the details and financial management. We couldn't have done it without this capable Assistant Choir Director and public administrator.
Kent and Nyla Petersen are to be congratulated for their promotional efforts. We are humbly grateful for them for this wonderfully memorable experience. They are seen here inside the Garden Tomb, looking out. The plaque which reads, "He is not here...for He is risen," placed on the back of the door, was donated by the LDS Church.
Chris Castro, my other Assistant Director, organized our efforts within the choir for this trip. I will forever be grateful to her artistry in singing and managing. She is flanked here by soprano Teri Jones, left, and Joyce Richey, right, my wonderful daughter and choir accompanist.
Craig Morris solos, "Have I Forgotten Thee?"

Our guide, Gretta, who is Danish, converted Jew, requested this third and final performance to be sung at Jaffa. She was very moved by that song. We felt a beautiful spirit while performing this service, and so did our listeners.

First Presidency Community Service Award

Sesquicentennial Year 1847-1997

Faith in Every Footstep

Michael Watson, Secretary for the First Presidency and also Stake President in Bountiful, served as speaker for this award presented in a fireside for the behalf of the members of "Promise." I was named as Pioneer and Ambassador for my"outstanding and inspirational 65 Book of Mormon original compositions." Promise members were honored for their "375 church and community performances in the last six years throught the western states."

Certificate from prison inmates.

I especially appreciate this award given to Promise for their moving and inspirational program presented at the prison in Draper.
My arrangement, "Hold to the Rod," won best hymn arrangement in 1999.
Non-Profit status in 1995

Wade Cook, a great benefactor and friend.

Wade and Laura Cook created "Liberty Music Productions Company," producing these CD's.
I created the Evergreen Singers in 1997 and arranged new music that was beautifully recorded.

Here Promise visits the home of Wade Cook, seen center back.

The CD's Liberty Music paid for and promoted allowed me to write new music and work with the finest artists in the industry, including Kurt Bestor, Merrill Jensen, Barlow Bradford, and the finest recording artists Utah has to offer. These CD's are exceptional. But beyond our work, it was Wade's vision and belief in me that became the catalyst for me to progress to new heights. He paid everyone well, and even sent Brent and me to Israel to help reward our work. Out of that trip came new music to my heart. Wade and Laura, please accept my sincere thank you.