At Christmastime, it’s often a tradition for those who live close to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) — or for those who visit — during the holidays to enjoy the lights at Temple Square. Because of COVID-19, the access to Temple Square is, of course, limited. So this year, for the annual Christmas lighting ceremony at Temple Square, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created a special virtual concert and tour of the lights, with young women serving as missionaries giving a tour of Temple Square and areas around it.

This special event also included musical performances both from Temple Square and also from various places in the world, and representing a variety of cultures.

In addition, below is a compilation of several Christmas specials from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra and Temple Square from previous years. Many of these performances include guest appearances…

…from artists like Kristin Chenoweth and the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble.

Here is a Christmas special from 2018. (Individual tracks can be found here.)

And another Christmas special from 2018 (individual tracks here). This performance includes the Bells at Temple Square.

To see more of Music and the Spoken Word, a weekly tradition for decades, see the website for the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

Or you can see all past episodes of Music and the Spoken Word here.

You can connect to the livestream any Sunday, or find information about where you can watch it on television. More information on the Choir’s website.

The post 12 Days of Christmas, Days 6 & 7: Lights and Songs from Temple Square and beyond appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Michelle

Last night, the annual traditional Christmas “lights-on” ceremony took place on Temple Square. The lights at Temple Square have become a well-known and -loved tradition in the Salt Lake Valley.

Preparation for this event starts months before the Christmas season. In fact, I was on Temple Square a couple of months ago, and smiled as I saw this bundle of lights hanging in the trees — long before the cold weather settled in.

If you are curious to read more about the process of getting these lights up, see this LDS Newsroom article.

Throughout the season, there will be concerts and events held at Temple Square. For example, the musical production Savior of the World will run throughout the month. The First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be held on Sunday, December 5. (The devotional will be broadcast live on the internet.) The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will be performing with guest perfomer David Archuleta in a concert that will run December 16-19. Actor Michael York will be narrating for these performances.

Find out more about Temple Square events here (including those not specific to the Christmas season).

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