Church News - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Celebrating 150th year in Switzerland

Published: Saturday, July 17, 2004

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Celebrating 150th year of the Church in Switzerland, chorus and full orchestra perform oratorio, "The Vision" by Evan Stephens, written in 1920, the 100-year anniversary of Joseph Smith's first prayer.
ZURICH, Switzerland — Members of the Church in the Bern and Zurich stakes completed a yearlong celebration of the 150-year anniversary of the Church in Switzerland with a concert of "The Vision" by Evan Stephens, the prominent Church composer and musician who was born 150 years ago in Wales, the same year missionaries began teaching in Switzerland.

In recognition of these two accomplishments in Church history, a jubilee concert was hosted June 15 in the Kongresshaus where a full orchestra and choir performed Brother Stephens' oratorio originally written in 1920, the 100-year anniversary of Joseph Smith's first prayer.

The jubilee also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the "Music and the Spoken Word" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the 175-year anniversary of the restoration of the priesthood. Some in the audience, composed of members and their friends, said they felt a great spirit, and responded with enthusiastic applause.