Nearly 13,000 attend historic Hispanic fireside
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Thousands of Spanish-speaking Church members living in Utah gathered Dec. 8 to listen to apostolic counsel and mark the holiday spirit in song at a historic Hispanic Christmas Fireside in the Conference Center.
The event proved to be a spiritual celebration of culture, language, testimony and devotion for the rapidly growing LDS Hispanic community that calls the Salt Lake City and surrounding areas home.
"The meeting was excellent," said David Segovia, a native of Mexico who moved to Utah with his family nine years ago. "We came out of this fireside fortified."
Utah Church members who speak Spanish as a first language were rarities just a decade or two ago. Now there are more than 20 Spanish-speaking units along the Wasatch Front filled with devoted folks from Mexico, Central America, South America, Spain and the islands of the Caribbean.
A mixed choir of hundreds of local Hispanics combined their testimonies in hymns at the fireside, serving perhaps as a symbol of the demographic's growth, influence and unity in the Beehive State.
The fireside, which was conducted almost entirely in Spanish, originally was scheduled to take place in the 5,000-seat Tabernacle on Temple Square. But demand for tickets was so great that organizers gladly shifted the event to the much larger Conference Center, where nearly 13,000 attended.
President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, presided over the fireside. Offering his brief remarks in Spanish, President Packer spoke of the remarkable growth of the Church throughout Latin America and Spain. Such growth, he said, has made Spanish the second most widely spoken language in the Church, trailing only English.
Elder Richard G. Scott
The Packer family has a growing connection with the Spanish-speaking world. Three of President and Sister Packer's children and several grandchildren served Spanish-speaking missions. Another grandchild was called recently on a mission to Guatemala.
President Packer shared his testimony of the restored Church. "I know that the gospel is true," he said. "I know Jesus Christ lives."
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve opted to enlist the help of an interpreter during his fireside comments.
"My Spanish is so poor that we would have to have someone translate my Spanish into Spanish," he joked.
Latin America and her people also hold special spots in the hearts of Elder Ballard and his family. Seventy-seven years ago, Elder Ballard's apostle grandfather, Elder Melvin J. Ballard, dedicated South America for missionary work. He left Argentina a year later, making the famous prophecy that Latin America "was like an acorn that would grow into a mighty oak."
Now Elder Ballard marvels at the way the Church has, indeed, taken root and flourished in the Spanish-speaking world.
Elder Ballard said the Lord has long called prophets to share His message. That pattern continues today.
"[The Lord] has once again raised up another prophet," he said. "We testify to the world that Joseph Smith is the prophet of this, the last dispensation of time."
Elder Ballard also testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, a volume that stands as evidence to the validity of Joseph Smith's calling to restore the Lord's Church and kingdom on Earth.
Utah's LDS Hispanics have a great responsibility, he noted. "We need you, we need your help and support," Elder Ballard said, inviting Utah Hispanics who are not Church members to listen to the missionaries' message in Spanish.
Christmastime, said Elder Ballard, "is a special time — a time to reflect on His birth, the Savior of the world."
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve, who is fluent in Spanish, encouraged the fireside congregation to become bilingual. Someone who speaks both Spanish and English can enjoy many economic, social and spiritual benefits, he observed.
Even older Spanish-speaking members can learn English, but the process demands patience. He counseled them to not get discouraged simply because young people seem to pick up second languages quicker, and not be afraid of making mistakes.
"It is going to take time and effort, but you can do it," he said as he delivered his address in Spanish.
The Proclamation to the World on the Family can help parents and children understand true principles of a happy life, he added.
Achievement and progress are worthwhile goals, but don't make the accumulation of material things the highest priority, Elder Scott advised.
Spanish-speaking members in Utah need to be "a powerful example in the Hispanic community," he added. He encouraged then to celebrate their culture and heritage, particularly those traditions that are compatible with gospel principles.
"Put first in your life your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings," Elder Scott said.
Elder Cree-L Kofford of the Seventy and president of the Utah North Area announced that the Church would be opening some 25 language learning centers in Utah's Wasatch Front areas early next year to help people learn English.
He echoed the words of his apostolic brethren, encouraging Utah Hispanics to share the gospel with others.
"We need you and you need us."
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
