Ancestors’ Grit: Finding Strength & Wisdom From Generations Past | Music & the Spoken Word
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will present its 5,034th broadcast of “Music & the Spoken Word” on . This week’s installment features a message from Derrick Porter, who recently stepped into the role of executive producer, principal writer, and presenter, succeeding Lloyd Newell after his 34-year tenure. The broadcast will center around the theme of “Learning from Living,” exploring the enduring wisdom gleaned from the experiences of those who came before us.
Porter’s message draws inspiration from the life of Francis Noble Smith, a Canadian Northern Railway worker in British Columbia in 1911. Smith and his team faced grueling conditions – scorching summers and temperatures plummeting to 40 degrees below zero – as they blasted tunnels through mountains and built bridges across rivers. Their perseverance, alongside that of his wife Mary, created a legacy of bravery and hard operate. The story isn’t simply a historical anecdote; it’s a testament to the power of ancestral resilience, a theme that resonated deeply with Smith’s great-granddaughter.
Decades later, Smith’s great-granddaughter found herself navigating the challenges of life in China, far removed from the rugged landscapes of her ancestors. Despite the unfamiliarity and difficulties, she found strength in the memory of her great-grandparents’ grit. As Porter recounts, she expressed a firm belief in her ability to succeed, rooted in the knowledge that her ancestors had overcome hardship and been blessed for it. Her experience underscores the idea that we “move forward on the shoulders of those who came before us,” and that faith can provide support even in the most trying circumstances.
The core message of “Learning from Living” isn’t about romanticizing the past, but about recognizing the value of intergenerational connection. Porter emphasizes that understanding where we come from provides perspective and ignites gratitude. It’s a call to actively seek the wisdom of our elders, echoing the ancient advice found in Deuteronomy 32:7: “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”
Porter’s appointment as the new voice of “Music & the Spoken Word” marks a significant transition for the long-running program. He follows in the footsteps of only two previous announcers: Elder Richard L. Evans and J. Spencer Kinard, alongside Newell’s three decades of service. The change comes as Newell and his wife, Karmel, embark on a new chapter as mission leaders for the California Los Angeles Mission, beginning in mid-June. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expressed confidence in Porter’s ability to carry on the program’s legacy of providing peace and hope through music and message.
The broadcast itself will feature a selection of musical pieces, including “In Hymns of Praise” with music by Alfred Beirly and text by Ada Blenkhorn, arranged by Mack Wilberg; “Appear at the World” with music and text by John Rutter; a recessional organ solo by Robert Cundick; “Alleluia” attributed to Giulio Caccini and arranged by Wilberg; “For the Beauty of the Earth” with music by Conrad Kocher and text by Folliott S. Pierpoint, also arranged by Wilberg; and “How Firm a Foundation” with music by J. Ellis and text attributed to Robert Keen, arranged by Wilberg. Ryan Murphy will conduct, and Brian Mathias will perform as organist.
“Music & the Spoken Word” remains widely accessible to audiences across multiple platforms. Viewers and listeners can tune in via KSL-TV, KSL News Radio 1160AM/102.7FM, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish, DirecTV, SiriusXM (Channel 143), tabernaclechoir.org, YouTube (youtube.com/TheTabernacleChoir), and Amazon Alexa. The program airs live on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time, with broadcast schedules available at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedules.
Porter’s inaugural message, rooted in a story of perseverance and familial connection, signals a continuation of the program’s commitment to offering uplifting and thought-provoking content. As “Music & the Spoken Word” enters its next era, it continues to emphasize the enduring power of learning from the lives of those who have come before.