Visa Denied Four Times, Then a Door Opens: Congolese Singer Reaches General Conference
Published March 24, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
Pythagore Matubu, a member of the Church from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was invited to sing as a global choir member with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the October 2025 General Conference. Despite doing everything correctly, his visa to the United States was denied four times by the US embassy.
With only one appointment remaining before it would be too late, Pythagore arrived at the embassy as number 97 in line. Only one of two offices was open that morning — and the official working there had denied every visa application all morning. Pythagore grew nervous.
Just as number 96 was called, a second embassy official entered and opened the other office. Pythagore was called to him directly. After a few brief questions, the official spoke the long-awaited words: 'Your visa is approved.'
Pythagore recognized this as a direct answer to prayer and a fulfillment of the lyrics of his favorite Easter hymn, 'Savior, Redeemer of My Soul': 'O'errule mine acts to serve thine ends. Change frowning foes to smiling friends.' The Lord had overruled his humble efforts and made it possible for him to serve in the Choir at general conference.
Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):
I was invited to be a global choir member with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and sing during general conference. But my visa to the US was denied four times, despite my best efforts to follow procedure. I became dejected and disappointed. I had one more appointment at the US embassy before it would be too late for me to get to general conference. A friend told me she was praying the Lord would send an angel to help me. On the day of my appointment, I was number 97 in line. There were two offices at the embassy, but only one was open—and the official working there didn't grant any visas all morning. I grew nervous. Just as number 96 was called up, another official entered the embassy and opened the other office. My hope soared. He sat down and beckoned me to him. After a few questions, he said the long-awaited phrase: “Your visa is approved.” The Lord had overruled my humble efforts and made it possible for me to serve Him in The Tabernacle Choir.
In Their Own Words
“I was invited to be a global choir member with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and sing during general conference. But my visa to the US was denied four times, despite my best efforts to follow procedure. I became dejected and disappointed. I had one more appointment at the US embassy before it would be too late for me to get to general conference. A friend told me she was praying the Lord would send an angel to help me. On the day of my appointment, I was number 97 in line. There were two offices at the embassy, but only one was open—and the official working there didn't grant any visas all morning. I grew nervous. Just as number 96 was called up, another official entered the embassy and opened the other office. My hope soared. He sat down and beckoned me to him. After a few questions, he said the long-awaited phrase: “Your visa is approved.” The Lord had overruled my humble efforts and made it possible for me to serve Him in The Tabernacle Choir.”
— Pythagore Matubu, as told to Emily Linder, LDS Living, March 17, 2026
Sources & References
Pythagore Matubu, “This Latter-day Saint hymn led my entire family to join the Church,” as told to Emily Linder, LDS Living, March 17, 2026 (first published in the March/April 2026 issue of LDS Living Magazine): https://www.ldsliving.com/this-latter-day-saint-hymn-led-my-entire-family-to-join-the-church/s/13109 Fuller account: Pythagore Matubu, “This Latter-day Saint hymn led my entire family to join the Church,” as told to Emily Linder, LDS Living, March 17, 2026 https://www.ldsliving.com/this-latter-day-saint-hymn-led-my-entire-family-to-join-the-church/s/13109 Full first-person account: Pythagore Matubu, “This Latter-day Saint hymn led my entire family to join the Church,” as told to Emily Linder, LDS Living, March 17, 2026 https://www.ldsliving.com/this-latter-day-saint-hymn-led-my-entire-family-to-join-the-church/s/13109
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