LDS Church's First Presidency Conducts Annual 2011 Christmas Devotional At Temple Square; Holiday Messages Centered On The Savior

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conducted their annual Christmas Devotional at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on December 5th, 2010. If you missed it or want to watch it again, the archived video is available HERE; I won't embed it on this blog because it auto-starts and the embed code offers no provision to turn off the auto-start.

Media stories provided by LDS Church News, the Deseret News and KSL Channel 5. Music for the evening was provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. KSL news video embedded below:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

President Thomas S. Monson offered a message of peace and hope to thousands gathered in the Conference Center. His counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor, also offered holiday messages centered on the Savior.

From President Monson: "In looking back over the years, it is obvious that the Christmases I remember best, the Christmases which touched my heart the most, are Christmases filled with love and giving and the spirit of the Savior. I believe that such would be true for all of us as we reminisce concerning our best remembered Christmases. Bringing the Christmas spirit into our hearts and homes takes conscious effort and planning but can surely be accomplished."

From President Eyring, two things we can give to the Savior to bring Him joy: First, Latter-day Saints can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit; we can repent and make sacred covenants with Him. Second, we can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them.

And from President Uchtdorf: "While it's true we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world. We, like the Grinch, can see Christmas through new eyes."

President Uchtdorf said when we prepare for Christmas by pondering its real meaning, we prepare to experience the Christ and His message. He suggested three things to study, ponder and apply this season: First, rejoice in the birth of the Savior; second, ponder His influence in our lives today; and third, look steadfastly for His coming.