PHOTO ESSAY

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve posed with Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Ukraine Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi and his wife Olga before the festivities began.

Various guests and diplomats took the opportunity to have photographs with Elder and Sister Marriott and Elder Maxwell.

Oregon Senator Gordon Smith also greeted guests at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center.

Elder Bill Marriott conducted much of the program in the Visitors Center Theater and bore powerful testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell was the keynote speaker to the guests and visitors representing at least 49 nations. His talk centered in the immensity of space and the intimacy of a loving Heavenly Father who knows us every one.

The Mormon Choir of Washington D.C. was joined by a children’s choir as they sang favorite Christmas carols and hymns.

One of the many children who joined the choir from the audience in singing some of the Christmas carols.

Sister Ann Santini, Director of International Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted the evening and spread her good cheer to all in attendance.

Missionaries of the Washington D.C. North Mission held electric candles to light the way for guests at the end of the program.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Ukrainian Deputy Chief of Mission Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi ready themselves to turn the swith which will illuminate hundreds of thousands of lights around the Temple and Visitors Center.

Lights surround the Visitors Center of the Washington D.C. Temple through the month of December and into the first part of January.

Lights illuminate the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple.

Volunteers from the Washington D.C. Temple district brave the cold and become live players in this depiction of the nativity which plays every night from 6:00 – 9:00 PM during the season.

Looking northwest towards the Visitors Center reveals the star that is over the live nativity. Notice The Christus statue in the window of the Visitors Center.