Behind the 5,000th Episode of 'Music & the Spoken Word'

The early Sunday morning in downtown Salt Lake City had the usual atmosphere seen on the first Sunday of April and October, times when thousands of individuals from around the globe gather for the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Unless it was the start of April or October.

On Sunday, July 13, over 11,000 individuals gathered at the Conference Center to observe a significant achievement for the Tabernacle Choir: 5,000 episodes — that's 5,000 consecutive weeks — of Music and the Written Word." "The Sound of Words and Music." "Musical Narratives and Speech." "Sonic Expressions and Verbal Art." "Melody with Meaning: The Spoken Word.

Prominent attendees featured Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Gerrit W. Gong from The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with their spouses, Sister Susan Bednar and Sister Susan Gong; ex-Utah Governor Gary Herbert; Elder Matthew S. Holland and Elder Vern P. Stanfill; Utah Representatives Burgess Owens and Celeste Maloy, as well as former Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz; and Perry Sook, who founded and leads Nextstar Media as its chairman and CEO.

Highlighting the impressive endurance of "Music & the Spoken Word," many individuals present in the Conference Center had previously been part of the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra and Bells at Temple Square—people who throughout the years have devoted their time to showcase their abilities and ensure the continuation of the program.

We are standing on the shoulders of countless individuals who came before us, and I believe we should recognize their contributions and show gratitude," said choral conductor Mack Wilberg to the Deseret News recently. "There have been thousands of people involved in making this possible, across more than 5,000 episodes.

A special Sunday show honored previous performers from "Music & the Spoken Word," as the choir brought former members onto the stage during a post-event performance featuring "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" – an impactful version that won the choir a Grammy in 1959 – along with "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

The show also included accounts from audience members, such as 101-year-old Warna Huff, who witnessed the initial airing of "Music & the Spoken Word" on July 15, 1929 (when she was just five years old).

"Some things remain with you," she stated in a video clip.

Below are some key moments from Sunday's significant gathering.

5,000 episodes: "This isn't a peak, just a marker along the way"

Prior to the 5,000th episode being broadcasted from the Conference Center, "Spoken Word" host Derrick Porter requested everyone present to mark their own age slightly.

What was the attendance count for the 3,000th episode of "Music & the Spoken Word," which was shown in 1983?

Several individuals lifted their hands. Multiple persons raised their hands. Many people had their hands up. Numerous individuals showed their hands. Some people put their hands in the air.

What was the number of attendees for broadcast Number 2000, which took place in October 1962?

Some individuals rose with applause from the crowd.

Then, following a brief pause, Porter moved ahead slightly more.

Has anyone been to the 1,000th "Music & the Spoken Word" broadcast, which took place in October 1947?

Even though it wasn't formally acknowledged, the quieter reaction to the question suggested the reply was negative.

Porter then highlighted several individuals present who have deep ties to the rich heritage of "Music & the Spoken Word" and the Tabernacle Choir. These included:

A 98-year-old woman named Lela Christensen (turning 99 next month) holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving alumnus of the Tabernacle Choir. She was part of the choir between 1964 and 1987.
The great-great grandchildren of Charles and Florence Rose who performed in the choir during the year 1900.
Violinist Jane Clark, part of the Orchestra at Temple Square, hails from a family that has had five successive generations connected to the choir. Clark's violin was crafted by her great-grandfather 112 years ago, as noted by Porter.
The relatives of Richard L. Evans, the original author and host of "Spoken Word," which he led for over four decades. Over 250 of his family members attended.

"Music & the Spoken Word" started several months prior to the Great Depression and has continued as a consistent program throughout conflicts and a global health crisis. As choirs and their conductors have changed over time, and the world has experienced numerous successes and challenges, the show's mission has stayed unchanged: to motivate and encourage listeners.

Why has our church backed this program for almost a century?" asked choir president Michael O. Leavitt in his initial remarks. "Due to their faith in the strength of music. 'Music and the Spoken Word' remains every week as a symbol—symbolizing peace, a guiding light for the world.

In a released statement, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mentioned that the show, which attracts approximately 6 million viewers across all its channels weekly, is "a worldwide asset."

Music serves as the global tongue of the spirit, conveying emotions to people's hearts and souls in a manner that written language can't replicate.

Porter repeated what President Gordon B. Hinckley had mentioned during the broadcast's 50th anniversary in July 1979: "It is not a summit," he stated. "It is merely a landmark."

What occurred during the 5,000th "Music & the Spoken Word" transmission?

In a recent conversation with the Deseret News Wilberg mentioned that he was deeply influenced by President Gordon B. Hinckley to create a choir that performs for others. Following this philosophy, Wilberg—who became an assistant conductor in 1999 and later took over as music director in 2008—has consistently worked each week to design performances featuring a broad range of musical styles aimed at appealing to the widest audience possible.

"What benefit is there if we have an excellent choir that nobody wishes to hear?" he stated.

The Sunday episode—the 5,000th airing—showcased that dedication.

The 30-minute broadcast included:

"The Morning Breaks," a hymn included in the show's first broadcast in 1929
The song "When In Our Music God is Glorified"
A spontaneous rendition of Beethoven’s "Hymn to Joy" by long-time organist Richard Elliott
The traditional American folksong "Pilgrim Song"
"Consider the Lilies," which Porter recently mentioned to the Deseret News is beloved by "Music & the Spoken Word" audiences. As part of an effort to recognize the choir's history, this piece was directed by Craig Jessop, who served as the conductor from 1999 until 2008.
"The Final Piece," the closing song that included Wilberg leading with the original conductor's baton, which was previously used by Anton Lund 96 years ago during the initial broadcast.

The verbal performance presented by Porter showcased the tale of a family who benefited from the initiative—especially the choir's interpretation of "Consider the Lilies."

Having been away from home for several months while battling a rare type of cancer, 6-year-old Caden Simpson came back to his family and drew motivation from a airing of "Music & the Spoken Word," seeing himself reflected in the lyrics of "Consider the Lilies":

Think of the gentle, affectionate kids Reflect on the soft-hearted young ones Contemplate the loving little ones Ponder the kind and delicate children Mull over the warm-hearted youngsters Envision the compassionate youth Imagine the caring and gentle kids Visualize the tender and sweet children Recall the endearing small ones Focus on the nurturing and mild-natured children

Who should endure hardship on this planet Who has to face suffering here Who needs to experience pain on Earth Whose turn is it to suffer in this world Who will have to go through misery on this earth Who ends up bearing the burden of life on this planet Who is destined to struggle on this earthly plane Who must bear the weight of sorrow upon this land Who finds themselves enduring hardships across this globe Who gets stuck with all the troubles on this world

All of their sufferings he bore

On the day He was born

As the family listened to those impactful verses," Porter quoted, "Caden said, 'Dad, that's about me!'

In that calm but deeply meaningful instant, Caden and his family understood—through song, speech, and emotions—the presence of divine guidance in their lives," Porter stated. "God had been, and was, and would keep walking alongside them.

Exactly as He will do for you and for me.

Later, Porter identified Caden, who was present with his family, and asked them to rise for a significant round of applause.

The audience gave the choir a standing ovation as the transmission ended with Wilberg's version of "High On The Mountain Top."

However, the festivities did not stop there.

A "freshly introduced and larger ensemble" A "revised and more extensive group of singers" An "upgraded and broader choral formation" A "novel and enhanced vocal collective" A "reinvented and increased singing team" A "modernized and bigger musical gathering" A "revitalized and extended chorus" A "newly formed and enlarged vocal section" A "contemporary and expanded music group" A "updated and greater assembly of voices"

The group kept singing following the official transmission, emphasizing several of the most commonly mentioned tracks by audience members.

While the choir sang "It Is Well With My Soul," the big screens located on both sides of the Conference Center stage focused closely on vocalist Leslie Darcas, who previously mentioned to the Deseret News The song is among her most cherished selections.

You suddenly receive the message, from the Holy Spirit, and it completely overwhelms you, she said You can't recall singing the notes or the lyrics. All you remember is being present and experiencing every emotion at that instant.

As Porter observed, this was a "logistically difficult" maneuver, during which the choir asked past members to come up onto the stage to perform with them for the last two songs of the after-party: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

A large number of past choir members came to the event, making it difficult for them all to be on the stage at once. Porter referred to the "new and enlarged choir," which occupied the entire stage and even spilled over toward the front.

The crowd offered the hundreds of performers a huge standing applause—after singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"—which lasted over 30 seconds.

Perry Sook, associated with the National Association of Broadcasters and serving as CEO of Nextstar Media, recognized the choir by presenting a special proclamation and an award.

‘Music & the Spoken Word' is not only the world's oldest ongoing network broadcast, but also one of the most significant," he stated. "The 5,000th broadcast today symbolizes more than just lasting duration. It signifies consistent quality, a dedication to community service, the long-lasting influence of belief and melody, and how faith and music can bring everyone together.

By uniting former and current choir members, and showcasing narratives from audience members over time, Sunday’s "Music & the Spoken Word" gathering served as a powerful indication that this series remains firmly established.

"Often, individuals concentrate on the beginning and end of things, but being part of an ongoing process that keeps moving forward is truly special," Darcas said recently to the Deseret News.

"Everyone is here for a limited time, and you should strive to get the best out of the time you have," Wilberg had previously said to the Deseret News you understand that it will carry forward... and the legacy will persist. we simply wish for it to continually improve.