The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be singing at Donald J. Trump’s presidential inauguration. Yes, that Donald J. Trump. The one that not too long ago, The Deseret News (the news organization owned by the church) was disavowing.
Our choir is singing at his inauguration. Does it matter?
Think of it—six decades without an interruption of singing as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
-President Gordon B. Hinckley
A Word of Benediction, October 1989, General Conference
We are thrilled with its continued prosperity. People still love the music—it’s a vibrant force for good in the world today.
-Scott Barrick, MoTab General Manager
Choir Honored for Broadcast 4,000 of Music and The Spoken Word, September 2006, Liahona
Since the Tabernacle Choir performs an important missionary service…
-Richard P. Condie, MoTab Director
I Have a Question, April 1974, Ensign
The Tabernacle Choir, identified by the name of this building, has been a voice of the Church for many years,
-President Boyd K. Packer
The Spirit of the Tabernacle, April 2007, General Conference
I realize that there are members of the Church who do not understand that the Choir has a specific mission to the world, nor do they comprehend the enormous good the Choir does out there for the reputation of the Church. The Choir works under the direct supervision of the First Presidency, and our repertoire and daily operations keep pace with that direction.”
-Jerold D. Ottley, MoTab director
The Tabernacle Choir–Beyond the “Crossroads of the West” by Renon Klossner Hulet, September 1989, Ensign
As an ambassador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this unique musical organization transcends cultural and generational boundaries, uniting people worldwide through music.
-Mormon Newsroom
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Inducted Into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, 27 February 2015
They of this choir are a part, a segment, of this remarkable thing which the world calls “Mormonism” and which we call the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
-President Gordon B. Hinckley
Mormon Should Mean “More Good,” October 1990, General Conference
…when people were asked what they thought of when they heard the word Mormon, answers included the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Salt Lake City…
News of the Church, December 1993, Ensign
The choir is often called the “greatest missionary tool of the Church.” Brother Ottley would agree for he sees the choir’s major role as being “an ambassador for the Church on all fronts—both within the Church and outside the Church. Our primary responsibility is not to the internal church, however. It is to the external world.
We are a missionary arm of the Church. While we don’t make a big fuss about our missionary work, it is missionary work nonetheless…”
-Janet Peterson
The Tabernacle Choir: 300 Testimonies in Harmony, August 1986, Liahona
All choir and orchestra members have been set apart as “music missionaries”; they represent the Church wherever they go.
Small and Simple Things, June 2012, Ensign
If you do not want the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to represent you, your Church, or your Church leadership at Donald J. Trump’s presidential inauguration, please call the public affairs department at 801-240-1000
or contact the Tabernacle at 801-240-4150
or email suggestions@ldschurch.org.
Leah Marie
Leah Marie earned a BA in Political Science, and a Masters in Public Administration. She is currently working towards her PhD in Public Policy. She is wife to an English professor, and mother to 3 beautiful boys.
All posts by Leah Marie
Or maybe allow them to fulfill their mission by singing at the inauguration. Every quote above is just as much a reason to perform.
Good call. It says more about the chior , forgiveness, and spreading God’s love FOR ALL than holding petty grudges against a prodigal brother … let God work on the wayward as we cheer our Choir for its charity.
And what number can we call if we want the Deseret news to stop meddling in politics?
Hilarious to hear those words from conservatives for once!
Well done and amen. This site of late has testing my desire to even read it anymore with all the whining. Can’t have things both ways, bloggers!
A petition to sign: https://www.change.org/p/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-mormon-tabernacle-choir-should-not-perform-at-trump-inauguration?
The Church has always stood for good regardless of the venue. Do we stand up for our republic? Yes. Do we stand up for our way of governance as outlined in the Constitution of the United States? Yes. Do we support our duly elected leaders? Yes. Do we still believe in the 12th Article of Faith? Yes.
If invited, should the Choir sing at the inauguration of ANY duly elected President of the United States, regardless of our personal opinions? Yes.
The Choir should sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Amen
Word!
Liberal tears in general but especially “Mormon” liberal tears have been delicious post-election.
I’m proud to have my choir sing as a representative of me, my church and as a missionary opportunity.
At this point I don’t really care what the church or the MoTab choir does.
The final nail in the coffin was the Prop 8 campaign and the “policy.”
Thank you for providing info to make it easier to let the MoTab know of my disappointment in their decision to sing at this inauguration. My complaint is not political — I realize that they have sung at inaugurations of Presidents from both parties — and I understand that missionary moments can come in all kinds of ways. But the MoTab does not sing at EVERY inauguration, and this was one invitation they should have declined. When our young women and young men play clips of what has come out of this president-elect’s mouth . . . and then see our choir celebrating him . . . . What will you tell them when they point out the church’s hypocrisy and ask why they should adhere to the standards we teach in “For the Strength of Youth”, etc.
The choir should have spent their time, money and presence on a more fitting patriotic endeavor rather than give the LDS imprimatur to this particular individual — even if he is president. Please withdraw from this performance!
Matthew 9:10-13