The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
And the Glory of the Lord
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The glory of the Lord
And the glory
The glory of the Lord
Shall be revealed
And the glory the glory of the Lord
Shall be reveal′d,
And the glory the glory of the Lord
And all flesh shall it together
For the mouth of the lord hath spoken
And all flesh shall see it together
And the glory the glory of the Lord
And all flesh shall see it together
The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, hath spoken it
And the glory the glory the glory of the Lord
Shall be revealed
And all flesh shall see it together
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it,
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
The song "And the Glory of the Lord" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a powerful piece with its message of the coming of the Lord and the revelation of His glory. The opening verses repeat the phrase "And the glory, the glory of the Lord" to emphasize the magnitude of this event. The lyrics also state that "all flesh shall see it together," underscoring the unity that will come with the Lord's presence. The repetition of "For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it" emphasizes the power and authority behind the revelation of the Lord's glory.
The song's message comes from the Bible, specifically Isaiah 40:5. This verse is a prophecy of the coming of the Lord and the revelation of His glory. The song also draws inspiration from Handel's Messiah, which features a chorus with the same title. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version is an adaptation of Handel's music, but with different lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
And the glory
We are speaking of a manifestation of the divine presence, something awe-inspiring and radiant.
The glory of the Lord
This is specifically the radiant manifestation of God's splendor and glory.
Shall be revealed
It is prophesied that this divine glory will be made manifest to all to see.
And all flesh shall see it together
This manifestation will not be hidden or limited, but rather all peoples will see it, together.
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken
This manifestation is not a mere possibility, but is a Divine decree which will come to pass.
Writer(s): G.f. Handel, T. Tertius Noble, Max Spicker
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@m.9243
I am not a Mormon but, these choristers look and sound sublime
The Messiah Oratorio is, for me, the one piece of music that I would never get sick off, no matter how many times I hear it.
I am sure G.F. Handel had some divine inspiration when he composed this gem!
@jillwaters2912
This is not a "Mormon" piece.
@annettedillon7751
Yes, I’m sure he did! Thank you Lord!
@peterhoulihan9766
"I am sure G.F. Handel had some divine inspiration when he composed this gem!"
Just to point out, most of the music was reused from... less than holy operas he had previously composed😅
@daphnethurlow5388
They are the finest choir in the world
@marydanyla-gold4143
Such music elevates the best of human emotion
@nomtunzixozwa2803
This is the first " classical music " I heard and sang in High School many moons ago. Then years later I heard the Messiah and I am still very much in love with it and other pieces of Handel. This is definitely Heavens music 🎶 🎵
@martinamorgan1119
Handel fue un genio,,,,,,,
@carolyngara9169
I remember singing with this choir (one of my life wishes) when I visited during a rehearsal. Of course with 650 voices they never heard me but OH BOY was I singing!
@elizabethsohler1847
That's great !