Lloyd Newell has been the voice of the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast for the last 34 years. Now he's preparing for his last broadcast with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square on June 16.
Since being called to his volunteer roles as a writer and presenter in 1990, Newell has worked on this production for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with enthusiasm and appreciation.
“When President (Gordon B.) Hinckley called me he said, ‘You’ll do it until further notice,’ that was in 1990. Could I have dreamed that it would end up being this long? I think there’s a lesson in that for all of us which is, you just continue to do your best, and it's never gotten old, I will tell you that … writing the Spoken Word each week is such a privilege and joy, and blessing that it never got old. And, now my time is winding down, but I’ve got hundreds, thousands of ideas,” Newell says.
Nearly Perfect Attendance
Each Sunday morning the Music and the Spoken Word production holds a live performance at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Newell says his attendance is nearly perfect, and that he’s never missed for illness. Music and the Spoken Word is the longest-running broadcast in the world, spanning 95 years, but throughout the years, it has evolved into what it currently is.
The program features music from the Tabernacle Choir, and as a garnish to the music Newell gives digestible, bite-sized sermons that inspire the audience. Each broadcast has a specific theme like, “Because He is Risen,” and “The World is One Family” with melodies that bring the theme to life.
“People have asked me, ‘How do you come up with it every week?’ I say ‘I’ve never had a shortage of ideas, sometimes the execution was difficult.’ I have lots of ideas for Spoken Words, I still do. It was never a burden to create the Spoken Word because I knew I had to come up with a message every week, and the message is … you continue to serve the Lord and do your best, each day each week, whatever that calling, whatever that assignment is, 6 months, two years, 6 years, 15 years, however long it is you continue to serve and bless, and do your best. I’ve seen that the Lord will give you other opportunities, you’re going to have lots of opportunities to serve and bless and help people, that’s what this is about. It’s blessing and lifting, and helping other people,” Newell says.
New presenter for Music and the Spoken Word
In March, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ announced 42-year-old Derrick Porter, a Bountiful, Utah resident, as the new executive producer, principal writer and presenter of the Spoken Word.
“I feel excited and energized at the opportunity to be the new presenter for Music and the Spoken Word. I consider it a great honor, I am enthusiastic about the hope that is in the world, and that, that will continue to grow,” Porter says. “I just believe that this is a program for the world and it is a gift to the world, it’s been that way for 95 years, and it will continue to for another 95, and another 95 beyond that."
New Calling
Choir President Michael O. Leavitt expressed appreciation for Newell’s service and optimism for the future of Music & the Spoken Word. Newell’s retirement comes as Newell and his wife, Karmel, begin service as mission leaders of the California Los Angeles Mission, which begins in mid-June.
“It’s a release for both my wife and for me. My wife has been with me every step of the way, and I could not have done this broadcast without my wife by my side, she’s such a good person, she’s a great thinker, and she’s a great writer, and so I look at this as something we’ve done together over these many years,” Newell says.
Newell’s last Sunday broadcast with the choir will be June 16. Porter will deliver his first Music & the Spoken Word message the following week, June 23.
The public is invited to watch live performances of Music & the Spoken Word each Sunday morning on Temple Square for free. Audiences can also stream Music & the Spoken Word each week from anywhere in the world from YouTube. You can also listen to the live broadcast, Sunday mornings at 9 on KBYI 94.3 or KBYR 91.5 FM. To find out more go to: thetabernaclechoir.org.