Sometimes music is an effective missionary tool that strikes a spiritual chord, leading a person to bring his life in harmony with gospel principles.

And when you have a missionary with the musical talent of Elder Stephen T. Drye of the Virginia Richmond Mission, those abilities add another dimension to his effectiveness beyond a fervent testimony and effective teaching skills. His voice and piano skills sometimes open doors, and once inside they help to bring the Spirit into the home."As far as music on my mission, it's opened a lot of doors," said Elder Drye. "You can be down in the dumps, but if you start singing or hear someone singing, it can change the mood. It really brings in the Spirit. If someone at the door doesn't want to hear a message, we sometimes ask if we can sing them a hymn. And singing at dinner appointments is uplifting for members."

Elder Drye, a 25-year-old from Orem, Utah, not only sings tenor, but also is a concert pianist and plays the saxaphone, bassoon, organ and cello. He graduated from college in May 1990 in music performance and pre-medicine, and intends to pursue a career as a physician using medical instruments in lieu of those he now plays so well. He sang a solo to open commencement exercises at his college graduation.

Despite his plans to pursue a medical career, Elder Drye "plans to stick with music in one way or another. I know that I'll always be able to sing and play in Church organizations and community groups."

It was during his college days that Elder Drye joined the Church, in May 1987, after forming a friendship with another musician, Sean Steiner. Elder Drye visited Sean's home during a school break and had a long gospel discussion with the young man and his father, who happened to be a bishop. They visited late into the evening and concluded their chat with a prayer. Gospel seeds had been planted. More visits followed during subsequent months.

"By the time I had taken the first discussion, I had read the Book of Mormon and A Marvelous Work and a Wonder," Elder Drye recalled. "I told the missionaries the first night they came over that I wanted to be baptized."

Elder Drye visited with his parents about the Church, and they both read the Book of Mormon. He baptized them nine months after he joined the Church, in February 1988. The family traveled from their home in Texas in March 1989 to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. While in town, Elder Drye sang with the Tabernacle Choir during a practice. A friend in the Temple Department who knew he sang arranged for him to sit in "since I was a new member of the Church and it was a special occasion," Elder Drye said.

The family moved to Orem just before Elder Drye left for the mission field.

In addition to leading to his introduction to the Church, music also influenced Elder Drye's missionary efforts prior to his mission, which began in September 1990. While preparing to perform in a senior recital, Elder Drye became friends with one of the other performers, a flutist. The two started discussing the gospel, and Elder Drye subsequently baptized her. She talked with her friends, and one of her roommates was baptized, along with another member of her flute section. The latter convert is serving a mission in Brazil.

"Elder Drye is a very talented young man," said Pres. Larry M. Johnson, who was replaced July 1 as mission president by Robert Arthur Brown. "He's been able to form some real great friendships, and he certainly helps bring the Spirit in through his music."