{"chapter_no":"39","chapter_title":"The Joy of the Spirit","book_id":"3","book_name":"Springville","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"568","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":2,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 39<\/p>

The Joy of the Spirit<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

Brother Mark Chandler's efforts contribute<\/i>d<\/i> to the success of the lesson—The display stand lights
create<\/i>d<\/i> a quickening effect upon the audience. <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

In the drive home later that day, Brother Chandler commented to his wife Kathleen,
\"That Sunday School class today was incredible! We need more lessons like that.\"<\/p>

 <\/p>

As he was closely supervising the operations of each ward, including such details as the
lesson subjects and teacher assignments, he had earlier become aware of the important lesson
being planned by Grant and, in recent days, had also found out about the impressive art being
worked on by his grandson Jared. Brother Chandler had decided to add to the occasion by
creating a gallery-style display stand with spotlights on the corners so as to properly present
Jared’s new artwork to the class. <\/p>

 <\/p>

This was no small task, especially with only a few days to do the initial design work,
procure the materials, and arrange all of the pieces together into a final structure. Fine
woodworking was involved. He built it in his workshop at home, using a design derived from
other art stands, but with the quality, seemingly, of a grand piano. <\/p>

 <\/p>

His first glimpse of the paintings, however, came only on Sunday along with the rest of
the audience. We can see, therefore, that this act of service was done instinctively and required
no special motivation to act. This was a gift from Brother Chandler to the Williams family and
the members of their ward. It was just something he wanted to do––an act of love rather than
something done as part of a priesthood assignment. He had spent several hours in the evenings
over the past few days––gathering blackberries in a sense––to make the stand for Jared; and now,
at the end of the week in Sunday School class, he and the others in attendance were able to
experience the freshly baked bread, blackberries, and milk together in a fine meal. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Closely supervising him as always, the Spirit had watched as Brother Chandler sketched
the initial design of the display stand on paper and purchased the needed materials with his own
money. He had watched as Brother Chandler employed his skills and his excellent style of
workmanship in the construction of the stand. He had watched how a righteous man had chosen
to use his free time to support his friend and his friend's grandson on their important day in
church. <\/p>

Brother Chandler had handcrafted a display stand as a special adornment. He had
presented the stand to a surprised Jared late on Saturday night. He had then come to church a few
minutes before Sunday School to help set it up for the lesson. No specific blessing from the Lord
was requested by him in exchange for his service, and he had now moved on unabashed towards
other things, not even considering that a reward was merited for the important part that he had
played. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Once the class had begun, the Spirit took note of the lighting of the display stand during
the lesson and how the carefully managed dynamics in the room implemented by Brother
Chandler had produced a wonderful quickening effect upon the audience. It was like spices
adding flavor for the eyes. <\/p>

 <\/p>

We should also mention that Brother Chandler enjoyed special moments during the
Sunday School lesson very much like those experienced by Martha. But where Martha had seen
only two things, he had seen three. Brother Chandler had also seen the paintings and had heard
the stories, but he couldn’t help but notice the third component––the sparkling effect of the stand
casting light upon the painting. The sparkling light had quickened the beauty of the painting in
much the same way as the Spirit, the great sparkler of the ages, had quickened the eyes, ears, and
hearts of everyone watching. While the story was being told, Brother Chandler’s eyes moved
back and forth between the painting and the stand that supported it. It was both functional and
attractive, he thought. Once the story had gotten underway, and the paintings had become visible
to the audience under the lights, he thought warmly, A system of things all working together as
intende<\/i>d!<\/i><\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

Diane Hunter, the regular Sunday School teacher, was also energized by the lesson. She
thought of her Sunday School teacher manual sitting at home, ready and waiting for her. Starting
next week, she would read from it anew and seek to build upon Brother Williams's testimony of
the doctrine of powerful feelings and joyful crying.<\/p>

 <\/p>

As for the Spirit of God, great were His ponderings and feelings of joy on this occasion. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“I will keep five dollars set aside for this stake!” was one pronouncement uttered. More
would follow. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Excited about the impossibly good lesson that had been presented, as well as the early
progress towards Zion in the Springville East Stake, the Spirit thought warmly: A system of
things all working together as intended<\/i>!<\/i><\/p>"}