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Keeping the Savior at the forefront this Christmas

Read quotes from members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles about the birth of Jesus Christ and the importance of remembering Him beyond Christmas

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including those of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — have taught about the Savior around Christmastime this year and in years past. Their personal stories, teachings from the scriptures and examples from the lives of those they have met all help give ways to maintain focus on the Savior and His miraculous birth as the baby Jesus more than 2,000 years ago.

President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church

Last year, President Russell M. Nelson testified of the Savior’s unmatched love in a video posted to his social media channels.

“At this sacred Christmastime, I pray that you will feel the deep, eternal love our Savior has for you personally. We revere the Babe of Bethlehem precisely because He later offered the incomprehensible, infinite sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary. No one on this earth loves you as much as He does. No one here is more eager for you to become everything you can become,” he said.

President Nelson then extended the invitation to live in a spirit of “Hallelujah” and to come and adore Jesus Christ the Lord.

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President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency

Following his address at the Dec. 8 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, President Dallin H. Oaks posted to social media about the phrase, “peace on earth, good will toward men.”

“The Savior taught, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself’ (see Matthew 22:39). He even taught that we should love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them who despitefully use us and persecute us.

“As we work toward the goal expressed in those teachings, Christmas should be a time for forgiving, a time to heal old wounds and restore relationships that have gone awry. Christmas is a time to extend ourselves beyond our normal ties of love and friendship.”

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency

In the days before Christmas 2023, President Henry B. Eyring posted on social media about light as a symbol of the Savior’s birth and life.

“One of the most beautiful symbols of the birth of Jesus Christ into this world is light. The appearance of the long-promised Messiah brought light to a darkened world.

“Many of you are praying for the strength to endure trials that test you to what may feel to you like your limit. God knows our every need, He loves us and He watches over us. He gave us the gift of a Savior, His perfect Son. He is the Light of the World and the sure source of comfort, hope, peace and joy.”

President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Last Christmas, only months after the passing of his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, President Jeffrey R. Holland posted a social-media message of admiration for her and one of hope through Jesus Christ to mothers around the world.

“To mothers everywhere who sacrifice for their family, I wish to say in this Christmas season that your sacrifice is not unnoticed — not by the leaders of the Church and not by our Father in Heaven who seeks always the care of His children.

“When this earthly chapter of our lives is over and all of the honors of the world have faded away, I believe it may well be righteous mothers who first hear the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into [my rest]’ (Matthew 25:21),” he wrote.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught via social media that Christmas traditions help remind individuals of Jesus Christ. He invited individuals to give the Savior their own gifts.

“Christmas reminds us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts. We should offer Him our love. We should promise to remember Him always, emulate His example and go about doing good,” he wrote.

Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

On Christmas Day in 2023, Elder David A. Bednar posted on social media a simple image of Mary holding and watching the baby Jesus wrapped in His swaddling clothes. Elder Bednar shared, without commentary, one verse of scripture.

“Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9).

Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In his First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional message this year, Elder Quentin L. Cook remembered a time when he saw a shopping-mall display of five distinct scenes of families and individuals encountering illness, poverty, hope, prosperity and joy. Nearby was a large banner that read, “If Christ came tonight, to whom would He come?”

“As I reflected on these window scenes, I realized everything they told us was about the physical and financial conditions of the people, but nothing about their spiritual condition. Age, health and financial status do not tell us what is really important — the condition of their spirits.

“Perhaps the banner might more properly have said, ‘If Christ came tonight, who would be prepared to greet Him?’”

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Sister Kathy Christofferson creates beautiful gingerbread houses each year as part of a Primary Children’s Hospital fundraiser in Salt Lake City. In a Sunday, Dec. 15, social-media post, Elder D. Todd Christofferson detailed his wife’s process and expressed his admiration for her efforts each year, a tradition having started with their children and now extending to their grandchildren.

“Christmas and Christmas traditions really are about giving. As you think about it, really, the great gift, of course, is the Savior Himself. And I bear witness of the reality of His Resurrection, of His life today — the living Savior, the living Redeemer, whom we celebrate all the time and especially now at this Christmas season.”

Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Some of the Church’s temples worldwide have displays of lights and Nativity scenes. The Washington D.C. Temple and grounds have been home to the Festival of Lights for 47 years. This year, Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke at the lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 3, later publishing on social media some of his remarks.

“This beautiful building behind us is a holy temple of light, enriching our minds and spirits and blessing us with God’s light,” he said. “Jesus said, ‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14). In both the Hebrew and the Christian Bibles, God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light (see Genesis 1:3).”

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Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Ronald A. Rasband shared on social media the Church’s new-for-2024 video — one displayed on iconic landmarks in England, Japan and Australia. He expressed his gratitude for Christmas and the unity of this time of year.

“How grateful I am for this sacred time of year to focus on the love and light of Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to be able to share it with all of God’s children — our brothers and sisters. I testify that Jesus Christ was born in a manger, that angels declared His birth, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that He lives today.”

Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Gary E. Stevenson was among other leaders of the Church to unveil the 2024 list of Giving Machines locations in diverse places worldwide, allowing individuals to donate to causes both locally and around the globe.

“Of course, we recognize the Savior, Jesus Christ, as the Light of the World, and it’s a remarkable opportunity for us to accept the invitation to light the world. This is one way that we celebrate Christmas, one way that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And what better way of doing that than to be able to give in really a remarkable, almost magical, way,” he said.

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Elder Dale G. Renlund shared on social media the Church’s Christmas 2024 invitation to “Be Someone’s Angel.” He posted a video and wrote about Martin Luther’s disappointment in his own 16th century congregants who said they would have gladly received the Savior but didn’t see, in his opinion, the Savior in their own neighbors. Elder Renlund compared Luther’s teaching to that of a Book of Mormon prophet.

“As King Benjamin taught in the Book of Mormon, ‘when [we] are in the service of [our] fellow beings [we] are only in the service of [our] God’ (Mosiah 2:17). Thank you to all who go out of their way this Christmas season to be kinder, more helpful and more charitable to your neighbors. I am confident that the Lord is pleased with your efforts.”

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Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Speaking at the 2023 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, Elder Gerrit W. Gong might be most easily remembered for his top hat and scarf. But his message about traditions deepening the love individuals feel for Jesus Christ may be more impactful.

“Often Christmas becomes Christmas when we quietly bring Christmas joy to others. Many families sub for Santa. Many individuals light the world with the light of Jesus Christ. A Christmas memory recalled is a Christmas memory made anew. Layered over time, Christmas memories become traditions, which can deepen our love for Jesus Christ — the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father, the Savior of the world,” he said.

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Elder Ulisses Soares, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In a social media post a week prior to Christmas 2023, Elder Ulisses Soares called the Christmas season “glorious” and taught that happiness comes because of the Savior.

“We feel great happiness during this time because the Savior came into the world. The peace that emanates from Him, His infinite love that we can all feel and the immense feeling of gratitude for everything He has willingly given us — paying a high price for it personally — constitute the true essence of Christmas that all humanity deserves to know and enjoy,” he wrote.

Elder Patrick Kearon, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In a social media post on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Elder Patrick Kearon wrote about the need to focus on the Savior during Christmastime.

“I love this time of year when we gather as families and loved ones to remember the birth of our Savior. Yet, amid our gatherings, gifts and events, our schedules can become overwhelming, and we may feel weighed down by the pressures of the holiday. Sometimes the expectations we impose upon ourselves overshadow the joy of the season rather than magnifying it.

“Let us not become so busy and weary that we miss the true focus of Christmas — worshipping the newborn King and offering Him our own personal gift,” he wrote.

Visitors to the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple view the Nativity on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Visitors to the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple view the Nativity on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square perform during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
Members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square perform during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
A photo of one of the international Nativities on display on the Church plaza in front of the Church Office Building during the 2024 Christmas season.
A photo of one of the international Nativities on display on the Church plaza in front of the Church Office Building during the 2024 Christmas season. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A Nativity scene and more than 500,000 Christmas lights are on display during the 47th annual Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple grounds on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
A Nativity scene and more than 500,000 Christmas lights are on display during the 47th annual Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple grounds on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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