The Tabernacle Choir’s Historic Performance in Peru: A Celebration of Faith and Unity

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square marked a historic milestone on February 19, 2025, with their first-ever performance in Peru. Held at the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, the event was attended by over 400 distinguished guests, including interfaith leaders, government officials, and civic dignitaries. This visit to Peru was the fourth stop on the Choir’s “Songs of Hope” world tour, following performances in Mexico, the Philippines, and the Southeastern United States.

A Celebration of Faith and Music

The Choir’s arrival in Peru was met with enthusiasm and warmth. Peruvian Latter-day Saint Brigitte Contreras, who greeted the Choir with her family at Jorge Chávez International Airport, expressed her joy, stating, “I know that this is a blessing from the Lord that He’s bringing [the Choir] to our country.” Choir member Missy Omer echoed this sentiment, saying, “We just felt this love immediately from them. It is amazing to feel the love from people all the way here in Peru.”

The Choir’s presence in Peru was part of a larger celebration marking 100 years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South America. The centennial festivities will continue with concerts in Argentina in August 2025 and Brazil in February 2026. In Peru, the Choir’s mission was clear: to testify of Jesus Christ through sacred music. As Choir President Michael O. Leavitt stated, “There’s no better way to do that than through sacred music.”

A Grand Concert and Cultural Exchange

The highlight of the visit was the Choir’s public concert at Lima’s National Stadium on February 22, marking the first time the Choir has performed in such a large arena while simultaneously streaming to four countries. Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the concert as a “beautiful experience,” praising the Choir for incorporating local music and artists into their performance.

President Leavitt emphasized the significance of this event, noting that the Choir’s outreach efforts allow them to connect with diverse cultures and audiences. “In the big picture, the Church has not been [in Peru] that long,” he said, “but there are 700,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peru, and [this award is] an acknowledgment of the impact the Church is having on the lives of people in Peru.”

Recognition at the Legislative Palace

In addition to their musical performances, the Choir was honored at the Legislative Palace in Lima, where they received a prestigious medal of honor. The award recognized their contribution to sacred music and culture, excellence in interpreting religious hymns, and their role as cultural ambassadors of the Church. President of the Congress of Peru, Eduardo Salhuana, presented the award to President Leavitt, acknowledging the Choir’s influence and the Church’s positive impact in the country.

Elder Soares highlighted how the Choir’s presence facilitates meaningful connections with national leaders. “[We are engaging with] all people who have never had the opportunity to know who we are or what we believe,” he said. Former U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, who attended the event alongside Elders Jorge T. Becerra, Rafael E. Pino, and Juan Pablo Villar of the South America Northwest Area Presidency, reinforced this point, emphasizing the importance of governmental support for Church initiatives such as temple construction. “We’re building temples. We need government support to do so. We have almost 700,000 people who are members of the Church in Peru. I think that came as a surprise to some of the government leaders,” he noted.

Strengthening Interfaith and Civic Relationships

Prior to the concert, the Choir participated in an interfaith gathering at a chapel in Limatambo. Elder Soares spoke on the importance of unity and peace, reinforcing President Russell M. Nelson’s call for peacemakers. “Our role [as people of faith] is to promote peace,” he stated. He further emphasized, “We are all children of the same God. We were created from the same divinity, and we have the same spiritual roots.”

Senator Romney and his wife, Ann, also spoke at the interfaith event, discussing the importance of strong families and marriages in building a stable society. Monseñor Javier Del Rio Alba, the Archbishop of Arequipa, delivered a moving address on recognizing God’s presence in others, stating, “As we get to know Him, we will recognize Him in our neighbors.” He also commended the Church for its humanitarian efforts and commitment to serving communities.

A Lasting Impact

The Tabernacle Choir’s visit to Peru was more than a musical tour; it was a demonstration of faith, unity, and cultural exchange. Their performances, community engagements, and recognition by government and interfaith leaders reinforced the Church’s growing presence and influence in Peru. Through sacred music, the Choir continues to build bridges, foster relationships, and testify of Jesus Christ worldwide.

As the Choir prepares for its upcoming performances in Argentina and Brazil, their mission remains steadfast—to bring messages of hope and faith to audiences across the globe. Their journey in Peru stands as a testament to the unifying power of music and the lasting impact of faith-driven outreach efforts.