Temple Square was set ablaze with thousands of Christmas lights Nov. 27 when Elder Richard G. Scott of the Council of the Twelve flipped a switch in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

The ceremony marks the beginning of the traditional holiday season in Salt Lake City.Elder Scott, who also spoke at the ceremony, was aided in turning on the lights by two full-time missionaries serving on Temple Square, Sister Janice Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Sister Karine Gaston of Marignane, France.

Providing music for the festive occasion was the Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus, which performed "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains"; "Silent Night"; "Candlelight Carol"; and "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing." The symphony also performed an instrumental medley of Christmas carols entitled, "A Carol Festival." Robert C. Bowden directed the symphony and chorus; Bonnie Goodliffe accompanied on the piano.

Elder Robert B. Harbertson, director of Temple Square and a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, conducted the ceremony, which marked the 27th year of Temple Square lighting. Sister Kimberly Winfield, a full-time missionary from Houston, Texas, gave the opening prayer. After Elder Scott turned on the lights, Elder Harbertson excused the congregation to enjoy the sights on Temple Square.

People thronging the Square for the ceremony gasped as the lights came on. Afterward, they milled around the grounds enjoying a sense of winter wonderland, above which gleamed the newly cleaned Salt Lake Temple. Green lights covered many snow-capped hedges and bushes, while many other colors - red, pink, white and yellow - brought splendor to the trees and snow-covered flower beds and lawns.

The cedar of Lebanon, a cedar tree brought from the Middle East in 1949 and donated to Temple Square, was adorned in a brilliant red, and a life-size Nativity between the Tabernacle and the North Visitors Center prompted many to stop and listen to the story being broadcast over loudspeakers of that first Christmas some 2,000 years ago.

Before flipping the switch, Elder Scott told those assembled: "Christmas is a miracle season. Throughout all the earth there are feelings of increased brotherhood and sisterhood, greater desire to show love, compassion and understanding, and willingness to be more interested in others than in self. There is a refreshing, cleansing, uplifting influence felt everywhere. . . ."

Continuing, he promised, "No matter how tangled the world becomes or how challenging our personal circumstances, there will ever be hope and blessings for each individual willing to focus on the birth and life of that singular Child of Bethlehem - our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Elder Scott explained that every prophet who preceded the Savior foretold of His birth and the fundamental change it would bring to the world.

He then quoted Isa. 9:6-7: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a song is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. . . ."

Elder Scott related that the Father knew that the Son would be required to suffer and give His life that each of God's other children, willing to be obedient, would be saved from the consequences of personal error.

"Why are some so deeply influenced for good during this sacred season and others are not? The answer is centered in whether we are more oriented to giving than receiving at Christmas time. Do we find ourselves too busy, or have we left time for reflection and meditation? Are we responsive to the spiritual triggers that are so abundant during this sacred period that would bring changes in attitudes and acts, or will sensitive feelings be dulled by too many things and too many activities?

"Finally, and more importantly, are we conscious of light? Christmas is the season of light. We can become so accustomed to physical light that we are not aware of our dependence upon it until we experience a power failure. Also, we recognize that it is possible to be insensitive to the spiritual light that can be so abundant in our lives. Christmas should help us seek spiritual light."

Elder Scott admonished that people occasionally need a vigorous, spiritual housecleaning - "not just a rearrangement of prejudices or brushing off of accumulated convictions, but a deep introspective scouring, a cleansing away of inappropriate thoughts and acts, and a casting out of debilitating habits or friends. In short, a spiritual rejuvenation by walking in the Light.

"Such renewal is generally not self-initiated. It arises from spiritual prompting. It is occasioned by profound experiences, disquieting thoughts, or the recognition of light. When such an impression comes, give it full freedom, respond quickly and decisively. The momentary discomfort that accompanies spiritual stretching is compensated many fold by increased capacity to feel and to interpret the will of our Father in heaven in our life.

"Positive change can also be triggered by observing how the Lord has touched others' lives to lift them, and recognizing that through similar obedience we can grow and find joy."

Elder Scott concluded, "As I illuminate the lights on Temple Square, may they remind us to let this season of light provide a reawakening of the gratitude of our blessings, the gratitude we have for our children, for our loved ones, for our Savior."

*****

(Additional information)

Temple Square lighting ceremony

Inaugural lighting ceremony: Dec. 9, 1965.

First person to turn on lights: President David O. McKay.

Number of lights that first year: 40,000.

Current number of lights: 250,000.

Average attendance at the ceremony: 10,000-15,000.

Temple Square holiday hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; noon-5 p.m., Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Duration of holiday hours: Nov. 27-Jan. 1 (Lights turned off Jan. 3).

Other Temple Square holiday attractions and concerts: Call 801-240-2534 for dates and times.