Church Representatives at Reagan Inauguration

In January, President Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church at the inauguration of United States President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was also widely featured at the inaugural.

President Benson, designated as the Church’s representative by the First Presidency, was accompanied by his wife, Sister Flora A. Benson. He attended the swearing-in ceremony on Capital Hill January 20, met privately with President Reagan that same day, spoke at several Church gatherings, and addressed temple workers in the Washington, D.C., Temple.

The Tabernacle Choir performed during the opening ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial and rode a seventy-foot parade float in the inaugural parade. At the request of Nancy Reagan, the float stopped at the presidential review box and the choir sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

This was the choir’s third appearance at the inauguration of a president.

In addition to its inauguration performances, the choir broadcast its “Music and the Spoken Word” program from the Hebrew Temple in Washington, D.C.

The inaugural opening ceremony was planned and directed by Osmond Entertainment/Tommy Walker Spectaculars International, headquartered in Orem, Utah.

Photography by Eldon K. Linschoten

Tabernacle Choir in concert with U.S. Army Band, in front of Lincoln Memorial

Tabernacle Choir broadcasts Sunday program from Hebrew Temple in Washington, D.C.

President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan respond to Tabernacle Choir during inaugural parade.