MTC Tour Day 1: Be Joyful!

Today was the first day of the Choir’s tour of the east coast, and our first stop is Bethesda, MD.  On the plane from Salt Lake City to Baltimore, the head flight attendant got on the intercom and regaled us with joke.  He also told us how very honored they felt to be able to serve us.  He and the other flight attendants treated everyone on our charter flight like we were in all first class.  At the hotel in Maryland, the staff treated us all like VIPs.

“It’s like living in the temple for two weeks.”  That’s how my sweet wife describes touring with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  When I asked her what she meant, she talked about feeling the Holy Spirit constantly, of seeing the joy in the faces of the audience (something I cannot see, because of the stage lights), of lifting spirits and healing hearts, of being surrounded by cheerful people united to bring joy to others.  I think her description is accurate except for one detail: the laughter.  We have so much fun!

A few years ago, one of our guest artist for the Christmas concerts said, “I approached performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with some trepidation, because of my perceptions about the Mormon Church.  But after performing with you for the past two nights, I must say that I have never met a happier group of people.  I must now go home and take another look at the Mormon faith.”

There’s so much evil in this world, and while we can’t ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist, hoping that it will all just go away or happen elsewhere, we don’t have to be caught up in it.  There are those brave souls who are called to fight evil with guns and bombs, and I am grateful for them and their willingness to serve and stand in harm’s way.  However, all of us can combat evil with joy and service.  Lift those around you.  Strengthen the feeble knees.  Stand for good.  Love the sinner, without accepting or condoning the sin.

Be joyful, because “man is that he might have joy.”

I love touring with the Choir!