None of the music the choir performs is inconsistent with the beliefs of Mormons, who “follow the admonition of Paul” in seeking out all things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report”. Both Mormons and members of other Christian denominations enjoy the choir’s performances of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and many other beloved Christian compositions that declare the glory of God and the grace of Christ. All Christians should be able to join with the Mormons and the Chinese listeners of that one broadcast to celebrate positive aspects of the human family and the world created for us by God. A place of common concerns and brotherhood is a place where the Gospel of Christ can be heard with a more open heart.

People who hear the choir once and want to hear more will be able to seek out its many religious recordings. Some of them will continue on to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ and what its members believe. On the lds.org web page, they can read the entire text of the King James Version, read and hear all the hymns in the Church hymn book, and find material in dozens of languages that will teach them about Jesus Christ, the Savior of not just the Jews, and not just the United States, but also of all inhabitants of the whole earth who are willing to accept Him. Even those who live in nations that restrict religious freedom may have the opportunity to go abroad for education or work, and there embrace Christ as their Savior.

Have no fear, the Choir and its members have never lost sight of the importance of preaching Christ crucified. Many of them, men and women, served two years as unpaid missionaries in 150 nations around the world. The director, Mack Wilberg, an internationally known composer and arranger of music for choirs and orchestras and former music professor at BYU, served two years as a missionary in Korea. And as members of the choir complete their terms of service, many of them will, at retirement from their various occupations, serve as unpaid missionary couples in those same nations.

Also, I think that option number three for religiously-affiliated law schools and law professors too easily slips into them being no different from their secular counterparts. The counterpart for musicians might be gospel singers who start in the church, switch to pop, blues, and country music, give no credit to God, and then start singing in praise of (and too often engaging in) adultery, etc. I like a mix of all three of Rob’s options, guided by the virtue of prudence.