Tabernacle Choir's 'Music and the Spoken Word' Expands Broadcast to Africa

The long-running program will feature African music and messages from Church leaders with African connections.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a richly textured African fabric in earthy tones, highlighting the intricate, handcrafted details through dramatic studio lighting.The 'Music and the Spoken Word' broadcast will bring the joy and inspiration of sacred music to millions across Africa.Salt Lake City Today

The Tabernacle Choir's weekly 'Music and the Spoken Word' broadcast is expanding to reach approximately 8 million people across 17 countries in Africa. On April 19, 2026, the program will feature African music, including a performance by the Ikeja and Agege Combined Choir from Lagos, Nigeria, as well as messages from Church of Jesus Christ leaders with ties to the continent.

Why it matters

The expansion of 'Music and the Spoken Word' to Africa marks an important milestone for the longest-running network broadcast in the world, which has aired weekly for over 90 years. The special episode aims to share the choir's joyful music and the gospel's message of hope and light with new audiences across the continent.

The details

The April 19 episode, titled 'The Joy We Share,' will include music from several African countries and feature the Ikeja and Agege Combined Choir from Lagos, Nigeria. The program will also include pre- and post-broadcast performances from local congregations in Salt Lake City. The live broadcast will be available via Facebook Live, with a delayed broadcast airing one week later in South Africa and additional African countries.

  • The special 'Music and the Spoken Word' episode will air on April 19, 2026.
  • The delayed broadcast will air one week later in South Africa and additional African countries.

The players

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square

The renowned choir and orchestra that perform weekly on the 'Music and the Spoken Word' broadcast.

Ikeja and Agege Combined Choir

A choir from Lagos, Nigeria, that will be featured in the special African-focused episode of 'Music and the Spoken Word'.

Elder Isaac K. Morrison

The second counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who highlighted the importance of music in the faith's worship.

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What they’re saying

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is joyful, hopeful, and filled with light. The music of the Choir is joyful, and we are so excited to be able to share this sacred music with our friends and neighbors across all of Africa.”

— Elder Isaac K. Morrison, Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

What’s next

The special episode of 'Music and the Spoken Word' will air live on April 19, 2026, and the delayed broadcast will be available one week later in South Africa and additional African countries.

The takeaway

The expansion of the long-running 'Music and the Spoken Word' broadcast to Africa reflects the global reach and enduring appeal of the Tabernacle Choir's joyful music and the Church of Jesus Christ's message of hope, as the program aims to connect with new audiences across the continent.