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Thousands celebrate Latin American culture at 22nd annual ‘Luz de las Naciones’

See photos of the event, which included a message on gratitude from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on back-to-back weekend nights, Nov. 8-9, to celebrate Latin American culture through music and dance at the 22nd annual “Luz de las Naciones” (”Light of the Nations”), hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Latino musical production featured a cast of 1,000 volunteers, many dressed in colorful, traditional costumes, who performed music and dancing from Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil and Peru. The theme was “Un corazón agradecido” (“A thankful heart”).

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who served as a full-time missionary in the Argentina North Mission in the mid-1960s, welcomed the audience with opening remarks in Spanish. He said the theme of gratitude was most appropriate.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

“Gratitude enlarges the soul and opens the windows of heaven. When we pray with a grateful heart, our prayer is heard, we feel the Holy Spirit, and our Heavenly Father delights to help and bless us even more,” Elder Christofferson said. “I pray that all of us will have hearts that overflow with gratitude to God, especially for the gift of His Son, whose atoning sacrifice and Resurrection bring to each of us the incomparable blessings of immortality and eternal life.”

The live event was recorded for on-demand viewing on the Luz de las Naciones website, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the Gospel Stream app and YouTube.

Here are photos from the performance.

Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers representing Mexico dance during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers representing Mexico dance during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers sing and play instruments during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers sing and play instruments during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers dance the Cuban Guantanamera during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance the Cuban Guantanamera during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers sing during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers sing during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers representing Mexico dance during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The audience watches as performers dance, sing and play  during Luz de las Naciones celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
The audience watches as performers dance, sing and play during Luz de las Naciones celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers sing and play instruments during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
A choir performs during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
A choir performs during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Alex Melecio sings during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Irene Caso welcomes attendees during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Irene Caso welcomes attendees during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers representing Mexico dance during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers representing Mexico dance during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers play instruments during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Performers dance, sing and play during the 22nd annual "Luz de las Naciones" celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
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