The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square ready for broadcast, May 2023
Enjoy a Soullift in Salt Lake City
Destinations | Entertainment and Sports
The globally acclaimed Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) is a soul-lifting experience for everyone. It is one of the most famous choirs in the world (sometimes called “America’s Choir”) thanks to high-quality music and universal appeal.
Part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Choir’s music is outstanding food for the soul; I’m spiritual, not religious, and I left the performance so uplifted and happy. I still remember this experience fondly and look forward to returning for a Christmas performance.
The Choir performs most of the year at the Salt Lake Tabernacle at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. For their annual Christmas performances, they move to the 21,000-seat Conference Center.
While most of Temple Square is open, the Salt Lake Temple is in the last stages of renovation, with completion expected in 2026. It was covered in scaffolding when I was there, which was disappointing.
Music & The Spoken Word
Their Sunday performances are broadcast as part of their weekly program, Music & the Spoken Word, one of the longest-running radio programs in the world.
The public is warmly welcomed to these free performances, but since this is a live broadcast, it is important to be on time and adhere to their rules during performances. Once the performance starts, you must be pin-drop quiet.
Photography and video are prohibited during the live broadcast. After the broadcast ends, the Choir performs additional songs so the audience can take video and photos.
Listen to the 21 May 2023 performance I attended, “The Good Fight” courtesy of BYU Radio.
Interacting with Church Members
Church members interact easily with visitors. I felt warmly welcomed, and enjoyed a delightful, thoughtful conversation with a church member who was kind and respectful to me and enjoyed my contributions to the conversation.
I told him I was disappointed about the scaffolding at the Temple, but my feelings changed when he mentioned the upcoming Temple Open House once renovations are complete, allowing the public to look inside. Announced for 2027, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for non-members to see inside the Temple before its rededication, after which entry will again be limited to church members. I’m excited about going, and that more than made up for the scaffolding.
Style Guide
Though commonly referred to as the Mormons, per their official style guide, use of this term is discouraged, and Annie All Around honors this.
Religion as Culture
Annie All Around does not endorse one religion or spiritual path over another. However, as travelers, appreciating religion as culture broadens our understanding of the world and connects us with others without obligation to join.
Church members are very friendly and welcoming, but please make sure to follow all rules as established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when on their property.
