Strive to emulate Lord- Possess 10 traits

Just as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has learned, strength can come to an ordinary soul when given an extraordinary calling, said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Council of the Twelve.In his remarks Sunday morning, Elder Nelson spoke of the choir's historic concert tour to Europe in June. Elder Nelson and his wife accompanied the choir on the tour to eight countries.

"I witnessed in choir members great examples that can inspire and improve the lives of each of you who honestly strives to emulate the Lord. . . . Members of the . . . choir are not superhuman. They are ordinary people with ordinary frailties. But therein lies the power of their example."

He saw choir members strive for the 10 traits missionaries are expected to possess and practice: "Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." (D&C 4:6.)

Speaking about each trait, he explained that the faith of the choir was strengthened by the faith of Church leaders. "How bold and inspired [the First Presidency and choir leadersT were to conceive this tour many months - even years - before Europe's unwelcoming walls began to crumble!

"Think of the timing. In one thousand years of Russia's existence, its first popular national election ever to be held occurred in June 1991. Six days later, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed in Moscow!

"That very night, after the strains of `Come, Come, Ye Saints' had resounded from its Bolshoi Theater, the vice president of the republic announced that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been granted recognition in the Republic of Russia."

Just as knowledge is essential to competent service for a missionary, "so it was with members of the choir in this tour" as they shared their knowledge of the gospel on a moment's notice, Elder Nelson added.

"Members of the choir were always temperate and well disciplined, not from without but from within."

As choir members checked in and out of hotels with more than a thousand pieces of luggage, patience became one of the most practiced attributes, Elder Nelson explained.

"Brotherly kindness was a hallmark of this tour. Never did I hear a disparaging remark. Brotherly kindness overcomes the rudeness of selfish intent."

Charity, or the pure love of Christ, was extended by choir members to countless souls, said Elder Nelson. "They shared freely of their precious time and talent without any thought of personal acclaim or recompense."

Diligence was also demonstrated by choir members, particularly one mother who chose to stay with the choir tour after her 37-year-old daughter had died back at home after a long illness.

The choir's songs helped convey their uncommon spirit of godliness, Elder Nelson related.

"May God bless us to lift our lives by their examples."