West African Has Repeat Performance with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

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In April 2023, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square launched a pilot program that featured participants from around the world being given the opportunity to sing with the choir during the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  One of the global participants chosen to sing with the choir was Elisha Tubo-Oreriba Joseph, a West African who was born in Nigeria and currently lives in Ghana.

Singing in the choir was a long-sought-after dream for Elisha, and his achievement was a source of national pride for both Ghana and Nigeria.  When given this opportunity, Elisha was called to serve as a music missionary.  This is a five-year calling that would allow him the opportunity to sing again with the choir. To his surprise, he was asked to sing again at the April 2024 general conference.  “I did not expect that I would be asked to sing again so soon but was excited for the opportunity.”

“What a great pleasure and honor it has been for me to raise high the flags of Ghana and Nigeria amongst all the countries singing with the Tabernacle Choir.  To sing again with the choir is a great blessing.”

His time in Salt Lake City was extremely busy with a great deal of time in rehearsals and musical training with choir leaders.  During his first opportunity to sing at conference he noted that singing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is very challenging.” The choir has a standard and even though we are here for a very short time, we must maintain that standard to be able to sing with the choir,” he said. Memorizing the words and music is also a significant task and Elisha said, “I am very glad that English is my first language.”

The highlight of Elisha’s experience with the choir was the honor of being called as a set apart music missionary. “It is a calling that has brought unfathomable blessings to me and my family. What a responsibility! What a blessing,” he said.

Recalling his previous mission experience, Elisha shared, “Many years ago, I trekked the hilly terrains of Enugu, the dusty streets of Edo, and the bush paths of villages in Delta States all in Nigeria knocking on doors preaching the gospel. Today, I’m doing the same thing through music to the whole world.”

"Being a global participant means being called to serve again," he said. "It means doing more in terms of music in my local stake and congregation. It means to promote and encourage the singing of hymns and do more in teaching others the musical skills I have acquired so they too can enjoy this great blessing someday."

Elisha also noted that the international musicians singing with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during general conference is moving from a pilot program to a permanent part of the organization. “This is great news. I’m looking forward to seeing more musically talented Ghanaians, Nigerians, Ivorians, etc being called to this holy assignment.”

As a representative of his fellow Nigerians and Ghanaians, Elisha recognizes the importance of his achievement, and this opportunity, to all West Africa. “Music is such an important part of our faith in Africa. I am grateful to be able to represent that faith and our culture,” he said, and added, “music heals, comforts, and spurs me to love God and my neighbor. I have felt countless times the supernal, uplifting power that emanates from singing the hymns of Zion. When I feel dispirited, music cheers me, rejuvenates my soul, and brightens the glimmer of hope in me. I feel closer to God when I raise my voice in hymns of praise.”