Notícias Recentes Ítens: Letting light shine -- Elder Dutra
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April 29, 2006
By Ana Claudia Soli
Church News correspondent
PALMAS, Brazil A fearless, volunteering attitude has marked Marco Aurelio Ferreira Dutra's participation in the prestigious Symphonic Choir of Tocantins, a state in northwestern Brazil.
Conducted by Willian Fernands, the newly created yet prominent choir is made up of people from various states who volunteer because of their love of classical music. The choir has performed music by Beethoven and Handel and most recently has performed "The Passion of Christ According to St. Matthew," an important work of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Described by director Fernands as a faithful and responsible choir member, Brother Dutra attends each rehearsal to let "his light shine" through his voice. Since joining the choir, he has performed three times in Palmas and he will be part of many other performances throughout Brazil, including its capital, Brasilia.
Brother Dutra's progression to join such a choir has been a long and difficult one. He is described as one of those people who, in the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "drinks from the bitter cup without becoming bitter."
He is one of four sons of Francisco and Dirce Ferreira Dutra, converts to the Church a little before the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple was dedicated in 1978. They were among the first couples to be sealed there. They taught their sons, Elcio, Rogerio, Marco Aurelio and Francisco Junior, to "raise the light of Christ and shine" under any circumstances and in all places they would be.
His mother wanted her sons to learn music. So, Marco Aurelio, who was born with a congenitally short left leg that makes it difficult for him to walk or sit for long despite the use of a prosthesis, learned to play the piano early in his life and fell in love with music.
When it was time to serve a mission, he and his twin brother, Francisco Junior, accepted the callings. With his disability, "It was not easy," he said, but President David Finn Paulsen of the Brazil Curitiba Mission "had a lot of patience with me and helped me."
After finishing an honorable mission, he began searching for a career and employment. Again, he faced difficulties with patience and faith. After a long search, Marco Aurelio obtained a job as an instructor in the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he worked for three years.
Through the Church Employment Services, he was advised to get a degree in Hotel Management, in which he graduated in 2004 after being partially supported by the Perpetual Education Fund. During this time, he never put aside his interest in music and used his skills while serving in his Church callings and being a member of a choir in Sao Paulo.
"Marco Aurelio is a very dedicated young man," said Aureliano Cardoso, his former bishop. "He does not get discouraged with his difficulties. He has a giving heart, and without being asked, helps members and friends of the Church who live in his ward boundaries."
More pain came with the unexpected death of his twin brother, Francisco Junior, at 23 years of age. His loss left a great impact on the family. "It was a time for reflections," said Brother Dutra. "I remember when my mother asked me how I was feeling and I told her that I teach about Jesus Christ and His resurrection every day at work. So I know that everything will be all right."
When he finished his studies and his time working at the Missionary Training Center, Brother Dutra faced challenges of employment. Because of physical barriers, there were certain jobs that he could not perform, and to get a new job was not easy.
He looked for a job in his field at length without success, until he passed a test and got a job working with tourism for the City of Palmas, Tocantins. It was here that he first saw, and then was accepted as a bass by the Symphonic Choir.
"When we do our part the Lord blesses us, in His own time," he said. "We need to keep enduring."
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