LDS Church announces holiday activities at Temple Square
Courtesy Intellectual Reserve
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces programs and activities at Temple Square during the holidays.(Courtesy Intellectual Reserve)While Temple Square in Salt Lake City and the church plaza are still under construction and COVID-19 is rampant, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still want to make Christmas special for residents and tourists.
On Friday, the church announced that Temple Square will be open to the public this holiday season with displays and limited lights.
“Construction and the COVID-19 pandemic have modified some of the plans for this year’s celebration, but families are invited to walk around parts of the grounds and experience an animated nativity in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Virtual opportunities to experience Christmas on Temple Square and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ are also available during the holidays,” the church statement said.
Here are some of this year’s activities:
Peace on Earth
This Christmas season, an animated nativity will be projected on the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the first time. This new presentation, entitled “Peace on Earth,” uses shadow graphics, narration and musical underscore to tell the Christmas story in a child-friendly way that adults will also enjoy. Showings start at 4:30 p.m. and the last one will be at 10. The nativity will begin on Nov. 26 and will be projected daily every 15 minutes. The presentation lasts about four minutes and will alternate between Spanish and English. The images and audio tracks from the presentation will be made available at http://TempleSquare.org for recreating this Christmas story at home.
Witnesses of Christ
On Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. MST, individuals and families are encouraged to visit http://ChurchofJesusChrist.org to kick off the Christmas season with the musical presentation “Witnesses of Christ.” In this 50-minute tribute to Jesus Christ’s birth, there will be thought-provoking messages and new arrangements of favorite carols performed by the Truman Brothers, the Utah State University Chamber Singers, Daniel Beck and many others. Host David Butler will remind those listening that as we interrupt the ordinary rhythm of our lives for something holy, they can also become witnesses of Jesus Christ’s divinity. “Witnesses of Christ” will be available for on-demand viewing after the event and throughout the Christmas season.
First Presidency Christmas Devotional
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host its annual Christmas devotional broadcast at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. The program will include Christmas messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church. Music will be provided by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. There will be no public attendance this year. The livestream will begin at 6 p.m. MST on http://ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The Conference Center will be open daily to visitors from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Viewings of “The Christ Child” will be available in the Conference Center Theater every 30 minutes in the evenings. In addition, organ recitals are offered daily in the Tabernacle.
Lights on Temple Square will be turned on in the evenings beginning Nov. 26 but will be limited in number due to the ongoing construction.
Attendees at any events on Temple Square are required to wear masks and be vaccinated if in the eligible age categories.
International nativities will be located near the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. In the Assembly Hall guests can rest and meditate while listening to Christmas music.
Light the World Giving Machines that have been located on Temple Square in previous years, will now be available at the nearby City Creek Center.
Christmas plans for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square are still pending. Crowd sizes, as well as COVID-19 conditions, will be monitored during the season and adjustments may be made to these announced plans.
More information on happenings at Temple Square will be posted online at their website.


