The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
More than 500 musical artists representing a wide variety of Latin American countries celebrated unity and belonging through uplifting music and traditional dance as thousands watched “Luz de las Naciones” (“Light of the Nations”) Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of “Luz de las Naciones,” a celebration of Latin American culture, and a return to in-person performance after two years of virtual programs in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Returning to the Conference Center stage added greater meaning to this year’s theme, “Juntos es Mejor,” or “Better Together,” said Israel Gonzalez Nieri, the music director.
“We’ve been apart for two years,” he said. “But most importantly, ‘Luz de las Naciones’ has become a family for me and I think it has become a family for many, many people.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, attended the program in the Conference Center with his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks.
“Luz de las Naciones” provides a way for many to reconnect with roots and learn to appreciate other cultures, said Elder Federico M. Kähnlein, an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“This is a way to get together, get to know other cultures and remember our cultures,” he said. “There’s a feeling a unity, of belonging, and it’s open to everybody. It’s a way to feel and remember what is important to us.”
Although planning and organizing the event sometimes felt like starting a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, Elder Kähnlein said many witnessed miracles and felt heavenly support throughout the process.
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