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SALT LAKE CITY — A 42-year-old bishop from Bountiful, and father to six children, will be the new voice of "Music & the Spoken Word."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced over the weekend that Derrick Porter will be replacing Lloyd Newell, who served as writer and presenter of the program since 1990.
Porter is only the fourth announcer for the weekly broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square; Richard L. Evans and J. Spencer Kinard were the first two.
"I am sincerely humbled at the opportunity to serve as a steward to carry on this great legacy," Porter said in a news release from the church.
He said he and his wife, Rebecca, have marveled as they reflect on the call from President Russell M. Nelson. Porter will be the executive producer, principal writer and presenter of the spoken word portion of the weekly program.
Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the church, says this kind of announcement is rare and members have been accustomed to Lloyd Newell's voice on Sunday mornings.
"We are thrilled about the future of this program and know it will continue to bring peace and hope in a troubled world through its music and messages each week," he said in the release.
Newell and his wife, Karmel Newell, were called to serve as leaders of the California Los Angeles Mission. He said in the release that he and his wife look forward to serving in new ways.
"What an honor and blessing to begin every Sunday morning with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for more than half my life," Newell said. "I can't begin to capture the many meaningful moments I have shared with the choir. It has been a sacred trust to prepare and deliver inspirational Spoken Words over so many years."
Lloyd Newell announces departure from 'Music & the Spoken Word'
After 34 years, Lloyd Newell, host of the Tabernacle Choir's "Music & the Spoken Word," announced he is concluding his service next year."Music & the Spoken Word," which airs each Sunday morning, first aired 95 years ago and is the world's longest-running broadcast.
Newell's last Sunday broadcast will be on June 16, and Porter's first broadcast will be the following week.
