Another choir milestone
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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir commemorated on July 19 the 80th anniversary of its weekly program, "Music and the Spoken Word." The half-hour program is the world's longest-running continuous network broadcast.
President Thomas S. Monson, who serves as the choir's adviser, was among those who attended the broadcast. After the broadcast, he delivered remarks in a commemorative program.
He spoke of having attended the choir's final performance on its summer tour, which was held at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver, Colo., on June 29.
He said that as he sat in the audience, he offered a silent prayer of gratitude "for this magnificent choir, for the orchestra, for an inspired director, and for all the others associated with this organization. How blessed we are to have such gifted individuals willing to share their abundant talents."
He said that inasmuch as he was not quite two years old when the first broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" aired on July 15, 1929, he cannot remember a time when the program has not been part of his life.
"Over the years, this weekly program of beautiful music and uplifting sermons has inspired countless individuals throughout the world," President Monson said. "I, myself, have had many experiences with those whose lives have been changed as a result of the Sunday morning broadcasts." He spoke of two such experiences.
He recalled that as a young bishop he had visited two members who lived in an apartment building. As he was leaving, a neighbor opened her door and spoke with him.
"She then explained that she had been observing members of our Church and that she had been listening to the Sunday morning broadcasts of 'Music and the Spoken Word and wanted to know more about us," President Monson said. "After visiting for several months with the missionaries I sent to her, this lovely woman, Angela Anastor, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church. She helped in the translation of the Book of Mormon into the Greek language."
President Monson said that when he served as president of the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, two missionaries called on the Agnew family. The mother and the children were receptive to the message the missionaries shared with them, but the father would not listen.
"Finally, he reluctantly consented to attend Sunday School services in the Mormon Church with his wife and three children," President Monson related. "However, on Sunday morning when the missionaries came to the door to take them to the chapel, there had been a disagreement in the home and Bill Agnew, the father, refused to go.
"He said, 'When my wife and the children shut the door and left me alone in the living room, I had nothing good to say about the Mormon faith. I was about as angry a man as one could imagine. After attempting — and failing — to take my mind off my anger, I finally went into my daughter Isabel's bedroom to borrow her radio. I thought that perhaps listening to the news would help me.'
"Bill continued, 'I turned on the little radio. What do you think I heard? The Mormon Tabernacle Choir! The music was so beautiful and inspiring. And then Richard L. Evans spoke on the subject, "Let not the sun go down on thy wrath." '
"Bill Agnew paused, and then continued, 'I felt as though the Lord were talking to me personally. I got down on my knees and promised God that I would no longer rail against Him.'?"
President Monson said that when Bill's wife and children returned from Sunday School, they found him to be calm and pleasant. "They asked what caused this change in his mood. He explained that he had turned on Isabel's radio and had heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Richard L. Evans. He said, 'I felt closer to God at that moment than I have ever felt in my life. I am ready to pursue a diligent study with the missionaries.'?"
President Monson said that Isabel was startled. "She said to her father, 'My radio hasn't worked for several weeks. I think the tubes are burned out.'
"Bill led his family into Isabel's bedroom to demonstrate to them that the radio worked. He turned the switch, but no sound came from it. He jiggled the switch. Still nothing. No matter how he tried, he could not make the radio work.
"And yet, when our Heavenly Father needed to communicate a message to an honest seeker after truth, that radio not only worked, but it broadcast the very program and the very message Bill Agnew needed. He was baptized and later became the bishop of his ward."
President Monson declared, "I am certain that there would be no way to count all whose lives have been touched, whose hearts have been lifted, during the past 80 years by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, called by many 'America's Choir,' and by the poignant sermons which have been given.
"As we commence the 81st year of 'Music and the Spoken Word,' I again give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all who participate in this uplifting and inspiring program. May they continue to be blessed, and may the next 80 years be as successful as the past 80 have been."
A proclamation by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. was read, in which July 15, 2009 (the date of the actual 80th anniversary of 'Music and the Spoken Word'), was designated as "Mormon Tabernacle Choir Day" in Utah. The proclamation was read by Stan Parrish, a longtime volunteer with the Tabernacle Choir. Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert was in the audience.
"Music and the Spoken Word" is carried on more than 2,000 radio and television stations and cable systems.
In his narration for the anniversary broadcast, Lloyd D. Newell recounted the beginnings of the historic program: "On a hot summer afternoon eight decades ago, a young announcer climbed a ladder in the Tabernacle on Temple Square and spoke into a borrowed microphone the opening lines of a new radio program from the Crossroads of the West.' The broadcast that became known as 'Music and the Spoken Word' was on the air."
Brother Newell continued: "Sometimes it seems that we have little in common with people who lived 80 years ago, but this broadcast is an exception. Every week since 1929, like a trusted friend, it has lifted and comforted our spirits and encouraged one generation after another to focus on the things that matter most. Today's challenges are different in some ways — the world seems more noisy and confusing than it once was — but we continue to find in 'Music and the Spoken Word' a welcome reprieve, a beacon of hope, steadying troubled hearts and enhancing life's joys. That's why we look forward to the next inspiring program just as eagerly today as listeners did 80 years ago."
Mack W. Wilberg, musical director of the Tabernacle Choir, conducted the half-hour program. Richard Elliott, principal Tabernacle organist, accompanied on the organ, and the Orchestra at Temple Square provided symphonic accompaniment.
Among those attending the anniversary event, which was the 4,166th broadcast, were former Tabernacle Choir musical directors Jerold D. Ottley and Craig D. Jessop; former associate director Donald Ripplinger; and former principal Tabernacle organist John Longhurst. Numerous former members of the choir and volunteers also attended.
In its 80-year history, the program has had just three appointed announcers: Richard L. Evans, who was the announcer from 1930 until shortly before his death in 1971; J. Spencer Kinard, who was the announcer from 1971 until 1990, and Brother Newell, who began announcing in 1990. Brother Kinard attended the anniversary program. (Please see Church News, July 18, for a feature about Brother Newell.)
The broadcast's anniversary program included the following musical selections: "The Morning Breaks," "Morning has Broken," "Sinfonia to Cantata No. 29 (organ solo); "Over the Rainbow," "Fill the World with Love," and "God Be with You Till We Meet Again."
