Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from around the world have been participating in the Church’s Light the World initiative, which is now in its fourth year.
“Light the World presents marvelous opportunities to invite friends and neighbors to church and to your homes to learn with you about the Savior,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles earlier this year. “In whatever ways seem natural and normal to you, share with people why Jesus Christ and His Church are important to you.”
See how members have participated in Light the World in 2019 below.
Giving Machines
Image from Church Newsroom
An article by Church Newsroom discussed the donations received by the 10 Giving Machines around the world. As of December 20, approximately 159,000 items valuing nearly $3.9 million has been generated.
The locations of the Giving Machines include:
• Two in Utah: Orem and Salt Lake City
• Six additional United States locations: Gilbert, Arizona; San Jose, California; Denver, Colorado; Laie, Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada; and New York City, New York
•Two in international locations: London, England, and Manila, Philippines
Church News released an infographic detailing the most popular items donated and the amounts given by each area.
Infographic from Church News
Interfaith Dinner in Delhi
Image from Church Newsroom India
Members of the Church in Delhi, India, hosted an annual interfaith dinner as part of Light the World. In his remarks for the evening, guest speaker Dr. Kamal Kumar spoke about the impact a 2015 donation from Latter-day Saint Charities has had on a local orphanage. The donation of furniture and household goods has enabled the orphanage to support 98 children and 26 seniors.
“Life is short,” Dr. Kumar said, according to Church Newsroom India. “Let’s make it useful and meaningful not only for ourselves but for others too. Every moment is a good moment to help others.”
Inviting the Community to Celebrate the Savior
Image from Church Newsroom Australia
Latter-day Saints in Melbourne, Australia, invited their community to attend a special Christmas presentation on December 1, according to Church Newsroom Australia. The event was attended by over 500 people and included narration and music about the birth of Jesus Christ. In the weeks leading up to the event, local members collected donations for the homeless.
"Our Light the World event provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone who attended to get into the spirit of Christmas,” Darice Dudfield, director of the event, told Church Newsroom Australia. “Not only was it an enjoyable evening filled with events such as feeding the homeless, a visit to old Jerusalem and worship through words and music, but it was an evening to reflect on the significance of the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us."
Hosting the Uganda Speaker of Parliament
Image from Church Newsroom Uganda
Members and leaders of the Church in Uganda hosted the Rt. Honorable Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, and other government leaders at a Light the World event in Kampala. The event included an explanation of the Church’s initiative as well as a screening of the Church’s new nativity film, “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story.”
Speaker Kadaga said that we should emulate the example of how the people in the video welcomed the Savior in the way we embrace each other, according to Church Newsroom Uganda.
Senior Missionaries Host a Sausage Sizzle
Image from Church Newsroom New Zealand
In Auckland, New Zealand, senior missionaries invited all of the members of their 163-unit apartment complex to a barbecue. Those who attended helped assemble 80 hygiene kits with items donated from residents, missionaries, and local businesses, according to Church Newsroom New Zealand.
