(KUTV) More than 16,000 people have now signed a petition against the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

The 360-member choir will sing at the inauguration on Jan. 20, even though thousands have encouraged a boycott. The petition is supported by those who believe the values of Trump do not match the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It will be the choir's seventh performance at a presidential inauguration. The last was for George W. Bush. Previously the choir sang at inaugurations for his father George H. Bush, as well as Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Randall Thacker is credited with starting that petition that states in part:

We also believe that an official LDS organization performing at a presidential inauguration gives the perception that the LDS Church and its diverse 15+ million members worldwide support an incoming president's agenda, values and behaviors. Performing at other government events would not be a concern (e.g. national holidays such as July 4th).

As members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we strongly urge the Church to stop this practice and especially for an incoming president who has demonstrated sexist, racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic behavior that does not align with the principles and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Social media has been active in discussing the decision to sing.

The LDS church previously released a statement on the decision to perform:

The choir's participation continues its long tradition of performing for U.S. Presidents of both parties at inaugurations and in other settings, and is not an implied support of party affiliations or politics. It is a demonstration of our support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power.





