President David O. Mckay: (10)

We have been blessed with marvelous singing by the Choir, and I have said so many times, "Thank you," that maybe you are getting tired of it, but we are not tired of your singing, and we are not tired of saying "God bless you, brethren and sisters, for your excellent singing here in the Tabernacle and in all the world." Thank you, and God bless you!

On the evening of September 4, 1963, through the kindness of KSL, whose representatives had placed a wire extension in our apartment at the Hotel, Sister McKay and I listened to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tabernacle Choir make recordings for a new album of Christmas Carols. We want to thank those who were kind enough to let us join in that great testimonial. We sat up until ten o'clock listening to Mr. Bernstein's masterful conducting of the 375 singers and 115 musicians in rehearsing and recording the 16 Christmas Carols. We were thrilled with what we heard.

I said to Sister McKay at the time that I thought it was remarkable how the Tabernacle Choir cooperated with Mr. Bernstein and the Orchestra in their work. It was a good illustration to me of what this Choir will do to furnish music for the Church, and I went to bed that night with a higher appreciation of what the Tabernacle Choir is doing for the Church and for hundreds of thousands outside of the Church with their beautiful music. I felt then that Mr. Bernstein could not have found another body of singers equal to our own great Tabernacle Choir.

We express our thanks and appreciation to all who have furnished the singing throughout this Conference-first to the Relief Society Singing Mothers from the Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area, Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen conducting the two sessions on Friday; second, the Tabernacle Choir under Brother Condie for the broadcast session Saturday morning; to the Brigham Young University Chorale with Kurt Weinzinger conducting, who furnished the music for Saturday afternoon. The men of the Tabernacle Choir, with Brother Condie conducting who furnished the music for the Saturday evening Priesthood session; and again today the Tabernacle Choir, with Richard P. Condie and Jay E. Welch conducting.

We express appreciation and gratitude to all who have in any way contributed to the success and inspiration of this great Conference. We appreciate the attention given by national press representatives, and by representatives of radio and television in reporting the sessions of this Conference. We appreciate the cooperation of City officials, the City traffic officers handling carefully and ably the increased traffic; the Fire Department, the Red Cross, who have been on hand to render assistance and service whenever and wherever needed.

We are also grateful for what our Tabernacle ushers do in rendering quiet, efficient service in seating the great audiences at this Conference. We are most grateful, as I previously mentioned, to the many owners and managers of radio and television stations throughout the nation and our own City, who have carried the sessions of this Conference from Coast to Coast, to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, and by short-wave to listeners in over 100 countries in many parts of the world. This extensive radio and television coverage has given this 133rd Semi-Annual Conference the widest dissemination in the history of the Church. We are thankful and grateful to the Lord that millions have been given the opportunity to tune in on the proceedings of this General Conference.

Tonight the Deseret Sunday School Union Conference will convene in this building at 7:00 o'clock. All Sunday School workers will wish to be in attendance, and the public is cordially invited.

Ward Sacrament meetings will be held this evening in the various wards.

The Tabernacle Choir will now sing "Blessed Jesu, Fount of Mercy." The benediction will be offered by Elder Ray Engebretsen, formerly president of the Norwegian Mission, after which this Conference will stand adjourned for six months.

The Tabernacle Choir sang "Blessed Jesu, Fount Of Mercy," following which they sang in conclusion, "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again."

Elder Ray Engebretsen, formerly president of the Norwegian Mission, pronounced the benediction.

Conference adjourned for six months.

The Relief Society Singing Mothers from the Phoenix-Mesa area furnished the music for the morning and afternoon sessions on Friday. Florence Jepperson Madsen conducted the singing of these sisters.

The musical numbers for the Saturday morning session were furnished by the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with Richard P. Condie conducting.

At the Saturday afternoon meeting the Brigham Young University Chorale, Kurt Weinzinger conductor, presented the musical numbers.

The Men of the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir furnished the musical selections for the General Priesthood Meeting Saturday evening, with Richard P. Condie conducting.

On Sunday the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir furnished the music for the morning and afternoon sessions, with Richard P. Condie and Jay E. Welch, Conductor and Assistant Conductor respectively, directing the singing.

Richard P. Condie directed the singing of the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir on the Church of the Air program and also the Tabernacle Choir and Organ broadcast.

Accompaniments on the great organ were played by Alexander Schreiner and Frank W. Asper, Tabernacle organists, and Roy M. Darley, Assistant Tabernacle organist.

Joseph Anderson

Clerk of the Conference