Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared their annual Christmas message Sunday, focusing on how celebrating of the birth of Jesus Christ gives hope and light to people across the world.
The annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional, broadcast from the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, is a time for people to hear Christmas messages and music at the beginning of holiday season.
With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir ringing in the season with song, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of the influence Christmas can have on the world.
"Even when the world may appear quite dark, when things aren't going right, when our hearts are overflowing with disappointment and worry; in the midst of sadness and sorrow, sing about joy to the world and good will toward men because of Christ, who came to give light to them that sit in darkness," he said.
Relief Society General President Linda K. Burton shared a message of how Christmas can change hearts.
"My prayer for each of us is to accept the invitation of the sacred Christmas hymn to 'come, let us adore him' and our Heavenly Father for his glorious and perfect plan," she said.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton, of the presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke of the peace Christmas can bring.
"Because of the Savior, born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, there is hope and so much more: There is redemption, release, victory and triumph. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail," he said.
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reminded listeners of what the lights at Christmastime represent.
"Many of our memorable and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights — lights on trees, lights in and on our homes, candles on our tables," Elder Bednar said. "May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of him who is the source of all light."
Earlier this week, the LDS Church also released a video called "A Savior is Born" as part of a Christmastime social media campaign. Church officials say the video has garnered a good response in the first week of its release.
