Love: 'Joy of the Season'
First Presidency Christmas Devotional messages shared from Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City
Published: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009
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Related articles:
President Thomas S. Monson: The spirit of the season
President Henry B. Eyring: Christmas stories
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Can we see the Christ in
Christmas
First Presidency Christmas message
"Finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the
scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts. Real
joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the
World, who said, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these...ye have done it unto me'" (Matthew 25:40).
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
So declared President Thomas S. Monson during the First Presidency
Christmas Devotional, which was held in the Conference Center in downtown
Salt Lake City Sunday evening, Dec. 6.
Joining President Monson in delivering Christmas messages were his
counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring, first
counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor.
While the Conference Center was filled to near capacity, hundreds of
thousands of members watched the program as it was carried live by the
Church satellite system; in some parts of the world — especially in
those areas where there is a great difference in time zones — the
program was recorded for viewing by congregations at a later date. The
program was carried also by BYUTV and on KBYU in Utah.
President Eyring conducted the meeting, during which Elder Kenneth
Johnson of the Seventy and Sister Cheryl C. Lant, general Primary
president, offered the invocation and benediction, respectively.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square provided
music for the program, under direction of Mack Wilberg. Musical selections
included "The First Noel" (sung by the choir and congregation), "For Unto
Us a Child Is Born," "O Holy Night," "How Far Is It to Bethlehem?" and
Silent Night (during which the congregation joined the choir on the final
verse).
The Conference Center, was adorned with Christmas lights, trees and
poinsettias.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing during the annual First Presidency Devotional Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President Henry B. Eyring, left, and President
Dieter F. Uchtdorf watch as President
Thomas S. Monson waves to the congregation after the annual First Presidency Devotional.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Henry B. Eyring speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Thomas S. Monson speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
Mack Wilberg conducts the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
Mack Wilberg conducts the congregation during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Henry B. Eyring speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the LDS Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President
Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks during the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President Thomas S. Monson, right, waves to the crowd as he and President Henry B. Eyring, left, take the stand before the annual First Presidency Devotional in the Conference Center Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
President Henry B. Eyring, left, conducts as President Thomas S. Monson, center, President
Dieter F. Uchtdorf listen during the annual First Presidency Devotional.
