Lights in Mesa brighten the season
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MESA, Ariz. — Representing members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Staff Sgt. Oscar Gomez of Tucson flipped the switch to turn on the Christmas lights at the Mesa Arizona Temple, representing the many Christmas temple lights.
Minutes after illuminating the temple grounds with hundreds of thousands of lights Nov. 24, he told the crowd that it was an "honor and a pleasure" to do so. He encouraged everyone to continue to pray for those men and women currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan until they all come home.
Dee Hobbs, president of the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights committee, said his committee members couldn't think of anyone better to give the honor to this year than someone serving active duty in the field of battle.
Staff Sgt. Gomez, who had previously served nine years of active duty, returned to Arizona in early November after being away for four months of training and a yearlong deployment in Iraq, where he served with the National Guard as a squad leader and convoy commander of 22 soldiers in 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1/180th Field Artillery.
In a letter of recommendation, Capt. Jeremy D. Cook said that Staff Sgt. Gomez is well respected by soldiers, peers, and leaders. "He loves his family, country and his men and would do anything for them," he wrote.
Staff Sgt. Gomez was one of the first soldiers in Delta Company to receive the Combat Action Badge and was recently awarded a Bronze Star.
After being introduced by President Hobbs, Staff Sgt. Gomez and his family received a standing ovation.
His wife, Kelli, who serves as an officer in the Alpha Company 1/158th Infantry Family Readiness Group, also spoke briefly at the lighting ceremony and asked members of the audience to acknowledge the sacrifices that are being made by saying "thank you" to members of the military.
Elder James J. Hamula, Area Seventy, addressed the crowd following the ceremony, saying that to understand the wonder of the Savior's birth, one must understand who He was before His coming. He quoted verses of scripture from the Old Testament and Book of Mormon and said that Christ indeed fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, is the "Light of the world," and will come again.
"May we find in our hearts and homes the peace that only He can bring," said Elder Hamula.
The lighting display, Celebrate the Life of Christ in Lights and Music, is now in its 27th year. In its opening weekend, record crowds viewed the lights and toured the visitors center.
President Hobbs said all those who volunteer their time to make the event possible offer it as a gift to the community.
"The lights are spectacular, and with the temple, the nativity displays and the peaceful feeling, it really does focus you on the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas," he said.
Joshua and Melissa Clark came from Tucson with their three young daughters to see the lights as they were turned on. "It's a good start to the Christmas season," said Brother Clark.
Life-size replicas depicting Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem with an audio presentation of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the birth of Christ were added last year and have become a popular stop for those viewing the lights. The creche and shepherd's village, also with audio commentary, continue to be a favorite.
Free half-hour concerts will be presented at 7 p.m. each evening through Dec. 31. A complete list of performances is available online at www.christmastemplelights.com. There are also Nativity displays from around the world for viewing inside the Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Christmas lights will be on from 5:30-10 p.m. through Jan. 1.
