Lloyd Newell

Lloyd David Newell had been the voice of the Music & the Spoken Word radio broadcast since March 31, 1991. In December 2023, he announced his plans to conclude his service some time before July 2024, when he and his wife, Karmel, will begin their service as mission leaders for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[1] It was later announced that their service would be in the California Los Angeles Mission.[2] Newell’s last Sunday broadcast with the choir will be June 16.

Produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and featuring the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Music & the Spoken Word is the longest-running continuous radio program in the world, debuting on July 15, 1929. The program was named to the Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.[3]

Newell had been filling in as voice since the end of November 1990 and was called to be the announcer of the program by Gordon B. Hinckley, then counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. President Hinckley told him each week's message needed to be an "inspirational gem."[4] President Hinckley also told him the calling would change his life. “President Hinckley was right, it has changed my life and my family’s life for the better. He understood it far better than I did. . . . I think he certainly had a greater vision for it than I did at the time.”[5]

"Fifty-two times a year, Newell delivers a message "designed to uplift and inspire, to be a bright spot in someone's life. It's nondenominational, dealing with universal principles; it's something that anyone can listen to, can take from, learn from." [6]

Newell succeeded J. Spencer Kinard[7] as moderator of the program. Richard L. Evans served in the position from 1930 until his death in 1971.

Newell grew up in Utah and attended Brigham Young University where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in communications. His emphasis was broadcast journalism, and his first job was as the 6-11 p.m. TV news anchor for WSEE in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Newell returned to Utah and taught at BYU while becoming a motivational speaker. His speaking engagements took him to 46 states and a dozen countries. He also worked as an anchor at CNN, doing news and also broadcasts from around the country. However, once he married, he found the travel onerous. He had done some voice-over work for Bonneville Communications, and he auditioned for a back-up announcer position and was chosen for the job. He never performed in that job, but was asked to fill in for Kinard on an interim basis, and then called to continue on in the position with Music and the Spoken Word.

Once in awhile, someone has commented on what Newell must earn. Newell emphasizes that this is a Church calling and is unpaid. Newell received his PhD in Family Sciences from Brigham Young University in 1999. He is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU. He does get paid for his writing and still does some speaking engagements around the country. Originally, the inspirational messages for the show were written by other people, but now Newell writes most of the messages himself. Programs are mapped out about six weeks ahead, a collaboration between Newell and choir director Mack Wilberg.

Newell was single when he became the "Music & the Spoken Word" host. He became engaged in 1992. He and his wife, Karmel, have four children. Newell has written numerous books, including May Peace Be With You, The Divine Connection, Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice, The Gospel of Second Chances, and Habits of Holy Men and The Healer's Art (both with Don H. Staheli. He wrote A Lamp unto My Feet, Draw Near unto Me, When Ye Shall Receive These Things, and Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (with Robert L. Millet). He is the author of Celebrating Music and the Spoken Word—25 Years. He has written numerous articles for publications such as the Ensign, The Religious Educator, BYU Magazine, and Pioneer. He contributed several entries to Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. He continues to serve as host and announcer for many local and national programs and events. [8]

When the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed live recordings, previous broadcasts of "Music & the Spoken Word" continued to air. During the summer of 2020, Newell began writing a few new "Spoken Word" messages and recording them. Some aired in the fall. Since December 2020 he has been recording new messages consistently. “We can’t bring in 500 choir and orchestra members together right now, but I can come in with a small crew,” Newell said. “I never would have dreamed of recording ‘Spoken Word’ messages, and inserting them into previously aired broadcasts, but it’s such a wonderful way for us to be able to talk about this world that we’re living in and offer renewed hope and insight.”[9]