manual in a language other than English can take a total of two and a half years to produce. To print these materials in a timely manner, the Church operates publication centers in a number of countries out- side the United States. These centers work with local print- © 2007 INTELLECTUAL RESERVE, © 2007 INTELLECTUAL INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ers as coordinated through the printing center in Salt Lake City. When the Church was formally organized in 1830 and during the Church’s early history, virtually the only teaching materials available to members were the Bible and newly pub- lished copies of the Book of Mormon and later the Caroline Johanson picks up a Young Women manual at a distribution center in Salt Lake City. Doctrine and Covenants. As membership grew, the amount of curriculum materi- Church Curriculum for 2008 als expanded. The Church’s different organizations for Required Years of Preparation men, women, teenagers, and children became responsible thundering four-color to teach the principles of same book. The 2007 curricu- for developing and printing press at a sprawling the gospel to more than 13 lum was the teachings of their own materials. Aprinting facility lo- million members, whose Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th When Church growth cated in Salt Lake City has ages range from as young as President of the Church. In began accelerating in the been running hundreds of 18 months old to adults,” 2008 the study material will early 1960s, Church leader- thousands of pages per hour, explains David Frischknecht, be from the teachings of the ship recognized the need to 24 hours a day, six days a managing director of the Prophet Joseph Smith. correlate the various curric- week preparing the 2008 cur- Curriculum Department. On average it takes the ula, and committees were riculum of the Church. “The languages may be differ- Curriculum Department one established to bring together Once printed—in lan- ent, but the lessons are the and a half years to plan and the materials. The system was guages as diverse as Burmese, same. A Church class in write a lesson manual. All the modified over the years until Spanish, Cambodian, and Chicago learns from the same material is reviewed by the the Curriculum Department English—the pages are col- content a Church class in Correlation Department to was organized in 1978. lated and assembled by high- Chile is using.” be sure it is consistent with A milestone for the Church speed machines into books, This past year, Church scripture and the teachings was reached in 1997, when manuals, and other printed members worldwide studied of the prophets. the first lesson manual was materials to be used during from the New Testament dur- If the lesson material placed online, making it avail- priesthood, Relief Society, ing Sunday School. In 2008 needs to be translated from able in an electronic format. Sunday School, and Primary the scripture focus will be the English into one of the 170 Today, all Church curriculum classes. Book of Mormon. languages currently spoken in material can be accessed on “Curriculum, the instruc- Priesthood and Relief the Church, the process can the Church’s Web site. Go to tional material of the Church, Society classes will continue take months more. Factoring www.lds.org and click on is used throughout the world to take their lessons from the in printing and distribution, a Gospel Library. ■ 76 organists, one of the most planning, selection, and Tabernacle Organist beloved, “I Believe in Christ” installation, which took (Hymns, no. 134), was put to several years, Brother Leaves Resonating Legacy music by Brother Longhurst Longhurst was involved in By Molly Farmer, Church Magazines and published in the English reviewing every detail. He hymnbook in 1985. Elder traveled the country testing nder the domed roof Longhurst has reached mil- Bruce R. McConkie (1915– organs installed by various of the Tabernacle on lions of people through the 1985) of the Quorum of the companies, then worked UTemple Square, 11,623 demanding full-time sched- Twelve Apostles wrote the with the selected builder, pipes reach heavenward, ule he maintained. Over the text, which he included Schoenstein & Co., to deter- comprising the world- course of his tenure, his in his April 1972 general con- mine the tonal direction the renowned Tabernacle organ. adept accompaniment and ference address. The hymn organ would take. The vast combination of solo work has been heard in has now been translated into “John’s masterful adminis- sounds the instrument is ca- 59 general conferences, hun- 22 languages and is included trative skills as well as his pable of can have an incalcu- dreds of recitals, and has in every international thorough understanding of lable effect on listeners. been broadcast via radio hymnbook. the needs that an organ must Considered the pinnacle and television to millions fulfill in that most important of the profession by many, through the Tabernacle A Sound Project building were a great bless- the responsibility of com- Choir’s Music and the Even with all his remark- ing,” Brother Christiansen manding the keys from the Spoken Word. able creative contributions, said. organ console has been “His life has blessed mil- Brother Longhurst may be In addition to directing entrusted to a limited group lions of people around the best remembered for his the design of the Conference of elite musicians throughout world both in and out of the administrative role in bring- Center organ, Brother the organ’s history. Church,” said Craig Jessop, ing about the impressive Longhurst worked with for- Only 13 people have director of the Mormon organ in the Conference mer Tabernacle organist served as Tabernacle organist Tabernacle Choir. Center. “The Lord saw to it, Robert Cundick in overseeing since the Tabernacle opened In addition to his per- in my mind, that he was in the Tabernacle organ renova- in 1867. An additional six formance work, Brother place for that project,” said tion in 1988 and the installa- have served as assistant or Longhurst is well known for Clay Christiansen, Brother tion of the organs in the associate organists. These his gifted compositions. Longhurst’s fellow Tabernacle Assembly Hall and the Joseph gifted organists have com- Among the 39 hymns written organist and close friend. Smith Memorial Building posed hymns, performed for or composed by Tabernacle Throughout the organ’s chapel, as well as the three millions via radio and televi- small practice organs used sion broadcasts, and been by the organists. recognized the world over as Brother Christiansen masters in their field. said he believes Brother John Longhurst, whose Longhurst’s hand in creating service began in 1977, has instruments on Temple been an integral part of this Square is one contribution storied history. After 30 among many that he will be years of service, Brother remembered for. Longhurst retired from his “With that beloved hymn post as senior organist in in the hymnbook, his work December 2007. Though his with the Conference Center absence will be felt by all Schoenstein, and his 30- who associated with him, his year legacy playing for the legacy as a musician and Tabernacle Choir and recitals leader will live on. on Temple Square,” Brother Christiansen said, “‘John Millions Touched Longhurst’ is going to be Known for his extensive Senior Tabernacle organist John Longhurst retired in a name that is not soon performance career, Brother December 2007 after 30 years at the console. forgotten.” ENSIGN JANUARY 2008 77 Where Words Fail has had on others. said, “one could not possibly experienced. To come here Thirty years of service “I suppose that if an have written a script that to Temple Square and have have had as profound an organist had the opportunity would be more exciting, the opportunity of perform- impact on Brother Longhurst to write a script for his or her challenging, and rewarding ing in world-class facilities as his kindness and talent career,” Brother Longhurst than the career I have on world-class instruments Tabernacle Organists Play Many Roles for Church performing in daily organ effort is spent answering letters recitals held on Temple Square, and phone calls, performing s technology and Margetts and Bonnie Goodliffe including twice daily between committee assignments, engag- Church membership are currently called to perform Memorial Day and Labor Day. ing in public relations work, Ahave increased, so in both musical and managerial Preparing for so many per- interfacing with various Church have the responsibilities of roles as organists under the formances requires between departments and outside enti- Tabernacle organists. auspices of the Mormon two and six hours of practice ties, scheduling, and occasion- While performing at general Tabernacle Choir. per organist per day on top of ally creating new musical conference is certainly a “The workload and the the performances themselves. arrangements. Tabernacle organist’s most high- pressure are very visible and In addition to the more con- The organists assist with profile task, there’s much more very intense,” said Craig Jessop, spicuous musical responsibili- the Church’s various media to the calling than accompany- director of the Mormon ties, much of the administrative features and give lectures at ing the choir at the semiannual Tabernacle Choir. work of the Tabernacle organ- educational presentations event. The responsibilities are They perform in Church- ists takes place behind the such as the American Classic so extensive, in fact, there are sponsored events on Temple scenes. Organ Symposium and currently five professionals who Square, including Church “There’s a lot of non-musical National Federation of Music carry them out. Educational System firesides, work that most people don’t Clubs. They also participate Full-time organists Richard regional conferences, and associate with the position,” in outreach programs repre- Elliott, Clay Christiansen, and important funerals, as well as said former Tabernacle organist senting the Church and the Andrew Unsworth and regular Choir broadcasts and John Longhurst.