The following quotes are testimonies about Jesus Christ and Christmas from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other Church leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church
“[Jesus Christ’s] birth occurred in humble circumstances among the animals. There the ‘Lamb of God’ (John 1:29) was born during Passover season among animals being prepared for paschal sacrifice. And one day, He would be ‘brought as a lamb to the slaughter’ (Isaiah 53:7). He was both the Lamb and the Shepherd. ...
“From His example, He taught that we, too, can arise from the depths of our individual challenges — our sadness, weakness and worries — to reach the heights of our own glorious potential and divine destiny. All this is possible by virtue of His mercy and grace.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 2020
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, First Presidency
“Christmas is a time to remember that we are all children of a Father in Heaven who gave His Only Begotten Son that all would be redeemed from death and who has offered the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all mankind on the same conditions.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 2022
President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, First Presidency
“[Jesus Christ] towers above us, and yet the events surrounding His mortal birth draw from us a feeling of His being close to us. He chose to come down from His throne at the right hand of the Father to take upon Him mortality. He did it out of love for every son and daughter of His Father who would be born into the world. He did it out of love for you — and for me.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 5, 2021
President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“I submit that unless we see all the meaning and joy of Christmas the way old Simeon saw it all — the whole of Christ’s life, the profound mission, the end as well as the beginning — then Christmas will be just another day off work with food and fun and football, and a measure of personal loneliness and family sorrow for some. The true meaning, the unique, joyous meaning of the birth of this baby was not confined to those first hours in Bethlehem but would be realized in the life He would lead and in His death, in His triumphant atoning sacrifice and in His prison-bursting Resurrection. These are the realities that make Christmas joyful.” — Pembroke College Chapel at the University of Oxford, Nov. 25, 2018
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Let us never forget that we are disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, the living Son of the living God. To truly honor His coming into the world, we must do as He did and reach out in compassion and mercy to our fellowmen. This we can do daily, by word and deed. Let this become our Christmas tradition, no matter where we are — to be a little kinder, more forgiving, less judging, more grateful and more generous in sharing our abundance with those in need.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 3, 2017
Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The account of the first Christmas in the Book of Mormon helps us to learn and more fully understand that Jesus Christ is the ‘light which shineth in darkness’ (Doctrine and Covenants 10:58). In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 2015
Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Christmas is the ideal time for us to praise and proclaim [Jesus Christ] — to show our gratitude, to express our joy, and to celebrate Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, by following His example and spreading His light to others.” — “Five Ways to Light the World This Christmas,” Liahona, December 2022
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“I think it is appropriate this time of year to just think about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too overwhelmed or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of His life — the culmination of heavenly prophecy but the earthly beginning for Him.” — “Be at Peace,” Ensign, December 2015
Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“In our times of uncertainty, in our days of trouble and difficulty, in our struggles, let us be faithful. Jesus came that holy night. He is the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings. He lives, and ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in [Him] tonight.’ I witness that as we are righteous, all our tears of sorrow, difficulty and uncertainty will be met and made right in Him, the Beloved Son of God.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 2022
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Each year at Christmas, we add our witness to that of the shepherds that Jesus Christ, the literal Son of the living God, came to a corner of the earth in what we call the Holy Land. ...
“I know that His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the babe born in Bethlehem, is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. These words of praise speak truth in my ears: ‘Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth, goodwill to men.’” — Facebook post, Dec. 19, 2019
Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The gift of God’s Only Begotten Son is why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas means lasting hope and peace made possible through the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection wrought out of love for us. Christmas means everlasting life and eternal reunions made possible through sacred ordinances performed in holy temples.” — “Christmas Means Hope, Peace and Love,” Liahona, December 2023
Elder Dale G. Renlund, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“I know that I will not be able to hold that little baby Jesus in my arms, but I know, just as well as Simeon knew, that that baby was the Son of God, my Savior and your Savior, my Redeemer and your Redeemer.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 5, 2021
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“For many of us, Christmas is a joyful season. At the same time, some of us can feel alone, lost, isolated or sad.
“Let us celebrate Christmas this year by following Jesus Christ to do all we can to make sure there is room in His inn for each of us.
“As we do so, we will find the true meaning of Christmas.” — Facebook post, Dec. 13, 2021
Elder Ulisses Soares, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“As we search for the Savior in all we do, Christmas won’t be just a day or a season but will be a condition of heart and mind, and the joy and love felt at Christmas will always be near. I testify that Jesus Christ, the infant born in Bethlehem, is in fact the Savior and Redeemer of the world.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 8, 2019
Elder Patrick Kearon, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“As this Christmas approaches, let us do more of what matters and much less of what doesn’t. Let us seek to do the works of Jesus of Nazareth — lift up the sorrowing, heal the brokenhearted, visit the prisoners, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give voice to the voiceless, the marginalized, the forgotten and the despised.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 8, 2019
President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president
“As disciples of Jesus Christ, we come together today in support of one another, and seeking to strengthen and deepen a personal relationship with Him and our Father in Heaven. Because together in Christ, all things are possible.” — Gather Together Conference, Aug. 19, 2023
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor, Relief Society general presidency
“As we incrementally learn to do what He asks of us—not out of duty or even for the blessings we might receive but purely out of love for Him and our Heavenly Father—His love will flow through us and make all that He asks not only possible but eventually much easier and lighter and more joyful than we could ever imagine.” — October 2022 general conference
Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor, Relief Society general presidency
“The Lord requires us to forgive for our own good. But He does not ask us to do it without His help, His love, His understanding. Through our covenants with the Lord, we can each receive the strengthening power, guidance, and the help we need to both forgive and to be forgiven.” — October 2022 general conference
President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women general president
“Jesus Christ will meet us where we are as we are. This is the why of the garden, the cross, and the tomb. The Savior was sent to help us overcome. But staying where we are won’t bring the deliverance we seek. Just as He didn’t leave Jacob there in the dirt, the Lord doesn’t intend to leave any of us where we are.” — October 2023 general conference
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor, Young Women general presidency
“It is my witness that the Savior has the ability, because of His Atonement, to turn any nightmare you are going through into a blessing. He has given us a promise “with an immutable covenant” that as we strive to love and follow Him, ‘all things wherewith [we] have been afflicted shall work together for [our] good (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).’ All things.” — October 2023 general conference
Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor, Young Women general presidency
“This Christmas, let us draw closer to Christ. We need more Christ to repent daily. More Christ to be able to think Celestial. More Christ to hear Him clearly and continuously. More Christ to gather Israel. The strength we need to change comes from our love for God and our close relationship with Him. Let us fill our thoughts with Christ. Christ is Christmas.” — Email to Church News, Dec. 19 2023
President Susan H. Porter, Primary general president
“As we conscientiously serve with our children and loved ones, we will strengthen our relationships with each other, nurture learning as we try new things, and build unity and strength as we extend the Savior’s love to those around us. As we focus on Jesus Christ, our lives will be more filled with His light.” — Facebook post, Dec. 11, 2022
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor, Primary general presidency
“Because of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened, and one day restored. If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain, and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK.” — October 2023 general conference
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor, Primary general presidency
“Christmas allows us to make a spiritual journey to Bethlehem to gain a witness for ourselves of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and then to carry that witness forward and with tongues loosened and feet and hands ready to make it ‘known abroad’ (Luke 2:17) and bear record of all that we have come to know concerning Him.” — First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Dec. 3, 2023
