If you've tuned into general conference, you've heard him.

And, undoubtedly, the same voice will be heard once again Saturday morning announcing, "Welcome to the 171st Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The man behind the voice -- Lloyd Newell, BYU professor in the religion and family life department -- has found his niche during the past 11 years, not just in announcing conference, but as "the voice of the Choir" -- the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

After making a career in broadcasting and professional speaking, a spot as the spokesperson for Music and the Spoken Word, a weekly, 30-minute broadcast put on by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, opened up and Newell auditioned for it.

"What most people don't know is that this is a church calling," Newell said.

The Spoken Word is aired to 2,000 radio, TV and cable stations every Sunday morning and is the longest continuous network broadcast, Newell said.

"In broadcasting, (the Spoken Word) is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done," Newell said. "It makes a difference in people's lives."

For three minutes of the Spoken Word, Newell shares a message to follow a theme the Choir is portraying in their music. Newell said the message is one he hopes will ease burdens.

"You just don't get that when you do news," Newell said.

Michele Mann, from Taylorsville, Salt Lake Co., has been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for five and half years, views the Spoken Word as a mini concert or small sermon that helps, in a non-intrusive way, expose a world-wide audience to the Gospel.

"When we record or do concerts, it has a different feel to it," Mann said.

The Spoken Word performed on general conference Sunday constitutes a special experience for Mann. She calls it "the Choir's pay-day."

With only a 30-second break between the end of the Spoken Word broadcast and the beginning of the Sunday morning session of conference, all the General Authorities are seated for the Spoken Word, Mann said.

As a student in Newell's Family Life 100 class, Sondra Burdick, 20, a junior from Dallas, majoring in business, has not listened to general conference the same way again.

When she hears Newell's voice come over the TV, Burdick said she would tell those around her, "that's my teacher!"

Burdick enjoyed Newell's class because he would often tell about his experiences doing the Spoken word.

"People hear his voice and see him all across the country," Burdick said. "They thank him for the stories he shares because they were going through a hard time and could relate and appreciate what he shared," Burdick said.

Newell said the real focus is the music, not his message.

"Music really drives the program," he said. "Being able to associate with the Choir, the conductors and staff is a blessing in my life and the life of my family."



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Oct 2001