'Praise to the Man': Choir releases new CD
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On the 203rd anniversary of the Prophet Joseph Smith's birth, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir released in his honor a new CD, "Praise to the Man."
While the official release date was Dec. 23, an early album was presented on Dec. 21 to President Thomas S. Monson after the Sunday morning broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word."
With Mack Wilberg, musical director of the choir, and Mac Christensen, the organization's president, Sheri Dew made the presentation to President Monson.
Sister Dew is president and CEO of Deseret Book Company, the choir's partner in the distribution of its recordings.
"In March of 2009, the Tabernacle Choir will have been publishing and recording under its own label for six years," Sister Dew said. "This is its 16th CD on its label. We've sold about 2 million CDs in the past six years, and I don't know that the choir has done a CD more meaningful than this one, which honors the Prophet Joseph Smith. The choir and Deseret Book wanted to have the chance to give the living prophet this CD honoring the Prophet of the Restoration. It is a masterpiece."
President Monson thanked Sister Dew, Brother Wilberg and President Christensen and said, "Christmas is a very special time of year to me, a time when hearts are closer to the Lord than other times."
He spoke of some memorable Christmases in his life, and then told of his call to preside over the Canadian Mission, which had its headquarters in Toronto, in eastern Canada.
"When I was called as mission president, I was told we should be in Toronto in three weeks. … Little did I know that eastern Canada was the only area where the Prophet Joseph ever went out of his own country," he said.
Commenting on the fact that Joseph Smith was born in the season during which the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, President Monson said that Joseph "gave everything" for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To President Christensen and Brother Wilberg, President Monson said, "Thank you for all you do for the choir, and for the Church. You serve the Lord, not only on Sundays. . . . Thank you for using your God-given skills."
The new CD contains 12 hymns that capture "the feelings of Latter-day Saints for Joseph Smith and for all of God's prophets" states the recording's liner notes. "This recording by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is perhaps more uniquely 'Mormon' than any they have previously released."
The CD may be purchased at Deseret Book, in its stores or online at deseretbook.com. Choir For a listing of CDs and DVDs available from the choir, go to mormontabernaclechoir.org.
