Children in general conference choir share their experience – Church News

Millions of people were inspired by music during the October 2024 general conference, especially by a choir of children who sang during the Saturday afternoon session.

The choir was made up of children ages 8 to 13 from stakes in northern Utah.

Two of the songs they sang, “Gethsemane” and “When the Savior Returns” are included in the new hymnal: “Hymns—For the Home and the Church.”

A video of children singing “Gethsemane” posted to the Church’s Instagram account had more than 4.7 million views in less than a week. Comments on the video include people saying they felt God’s love through the words and music. Many said the song brought them to tears. Some people said their children sang along to the songs at home.

Leslie Walker — who directed the choir — began the process in June, asking children in northern Utah to sing “A Child’s Prayer” in a video audition.

More than 2,800 children took the test.

Walker said he had the difficult task of reducing the numbers to just 364 – the number of seats in the choir at the conference center.

“I think they were a very special group of kids,” she said.

As for why the performance of “Gethsemane” touched so many people, Walker gives credit to Melanie Hoffman for writing a beautiful song.

“Those words are so powerful: ‘This was done by Jesus, the fight was won by Jesus,’” Walker said, quoting the song’s lyrics. “Sometimes we are so reverent that we don’t allow ourselves emotions. And that is a great emotion. ‘Wow, He did this for us. He gave his life for us. He paid the price for our sins. That’s huge.”

Walker also gives credit to the spiritual preparation of children at home.

“I didn’t have much time to talk about doctrine or why Jesus did this for us,” she said. “But I feel like the parents really prepared the kids. I think the parents did ‘Come, follow me’. They did the things they were supposed to do to prepare their children spiritually and you could tell.”

Walker felt inspired to have the children sing “When the Savior Comes Again.” And he was very happy when President Russell M. Nelson closed the conference by talking about when Jesus Christ will return.

“When I heard the words ‘lift up your voice, rejoice and prepare for that day’ (in the song), I thought this was a wonderful message to convey to the Church,” Walker said. “Everything we did felt like we were being led by the Spirit.”

The family of ten-year-old Annelise Gavarret of the Mount Ensign 1st Ward, West Bountiful Utah Stake, enjoyed watching rehearsals together because her younger siblings learned the songs and practiced them together.

“I think that made Sundays special in those two months when we went to rehearsals,” said Annelise’s father, Ivan Gavarret.

He said it also helped them as they studied “Come, Follow Me” as a family.

“We had the opportunity to use these songs and rehearsals to embody what we’re talking about in ‘Come, Follow Me,’” he said. “I think one of the weeks we were reading, Jesus was coming to the Americas. We were able to watch a video about it and talk about His coming and also His Second Coming.”

Annelise’s mother, Leticia Gavarret, said it was difficult to hold back her tears at each rehearsal because she was touched by the Spirit at each rehearsal.

This same Spirit was transmitted to Annelise’s family in Brazil.

“She was sharing the gospel and the message of Jesus Christ with our family so far away,” said Leticia Gavarret.

Annelise said she felt the Holy Spirit while singing.

“I felt wonderful, so I just want to keep that feeling forever,” she said. “It wasn’t just the people watching who were moved. I almost cried when we were singing all the songs.”

Bailee Tolman, 11, of the Taylor 5th Ward, Ogden Utah West Stake, summed up her experience in one word: joy.

“Because I feel like I had a lot of joy while singing,” she said. “And I was happy to be there.”

Bailee’s mother, Courtney Tolman, said she was extremely proud to see her daughter in the choir seats.

“I think these kids brought a special spirit that touched people who maybe needed it,” she said. “I just have no doubt that there was divine help, that there were angels present with these children.”