Although there are many choirs in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, only one is directed by Gladys Knight: the Saints Unified Voices. It’s an LDS choir unlike any you’ve ever heard.

Sister Knight and her choir take the audience on an extraordinary adventure of testimony and music reflective of the cultural diversity of the worldwide LDS church. Her enthusiasm for the gospel and her professionalism make this fireside a truly remarkable experience.

“It’s inspiring, moving and fun,” says David Rowberry, counselor in the Green Valley Nevada Stake presidency and institute director in Las Vegas, Nev. “You can feel the marvelous spirit.”

Since 2002, the choir has become a powerful platform for sharing the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and for helping members of the LDS Church appreciate and embrace the cultural diversity of the wonderful people coming into the Lord’s kingdom.

Sister Knight organized the choir in 2002 “to provide an opportunity for people who wouldn’t come otherwise to come to an LDS meeting, where they will hear a strong Christ-centered message of the restored gospel and feel the spirit that is present,” she says.

More than 100 members of the Saints Unified Voices, or the “SUV Choir” as they affectionately call themselves, form this multi-cultural choir. They come from several stakes in the greater Las Vegas area and a few commute from Utah and California. Some of Sister Knight’s professional crew also volunteer their assistance. Through their combined talents, they create and refine most of the musical arrangements during rehearsals. This presents a unique challenge for choir members since they never receive sheet music, only the words to the songs typed in paragraph form.

Through familiar hymns and spoken words, the fireside program harmonizes in worship and celebration of Jesus Christ. It is the fulfillment of Sister Knight’s desire to bring a new level of passion and cultural awareness to the traditionally reserved LDS hymns.

The choir presents gospel versions of several beloved hymns such as “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “Because I Have Been Given Much,” accompanied by a piano, a synthesizer, and an electric guitar, adding some of the vigor Sister Knight longs to share.

“I look forward to the day when we can embrace music from other cultures without feeling uncomfortable,” says Sister Knight. “Our congregations are filled with a growing diversity of people from different races and backgrounds, and their experiences enrich all of us.”

A highlight of the fireside is Sister Knight performing an original solo “He Lives,” written by her husband, William McDowell, who is also a convert to the Church. During the fireside, Brother McDowell shares the story of how he came to write the lyrics at his wife’s insistence. This song will be featured on the new CD.

In 2003 the Saints Unified Voices was invited by the First Presidency to perform in the historic Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the LDS Church’s announcement allowing “all worthy men” to hold the priesthood. (Click here for video clip)

The choir has also presented its fireside program at four Las Vegas stake centers, and was featured in both Las Vegas and Phoenix at Deseret Book’s Time Out for Women conferences.

The choir’s first CD recording will be available in fall 2004. (Click here to learn more about the CD recording).

“Since the choir began, we’ve received numerous requests from LDS stakes and mission presidents all over the country asking us to bring this fireside to their area,” says Kenya Jackson, daughter of Sister Knight. “Unfortunately, due to the costs involved of transporting the choir members and obtaining appropriate sound equipment, the SUV has not yet been able to meet these requests.”

Simply put, the stakes don’t have the budget and the choir has limited funds.

“Proceeds from CD sales will help make it financially possible for the SUV choir to travel to these regions in the future,” says Sister Jackson. “But for now, we depend on the generous donations of individuals and corporate sponsorships.”

The choir has applied for nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, and is now in the position to accept tax-deductible donations as well as corporate sponsorships. All donations will support the choir’s goal to take the fireside to LDS meetings through the United States and possibly the world. (Click here to learn more about becoming a sponsor)