Latin Cultural Program at Conference Center

The "Light of the Nations: His Promises" commemorating the Visit of Jesus Christ to the American Continent was presented at the Conference Center on October 26, 2012.

It was a wonderful evening of music and dance.

Almost all of the countries in Mexico and South America have the legend of a white God that came to their country.  We know from the Book of Mormon that Christ did come to the Lamanites in America after he was resurrected.  Each of the different countries sang songs and performed native dances.  It was a wonderful evening of culture and inspiration.

These were some of the dances before the regular performance.

The television screen at the conference posted the name of the production.  The title of the production in English is "Light of the Nations- His Promises".

There were more than `1,500 performers that took part in remembering when ancient civilizations of the new world witnessed Christ coming to the Americas as told in the Book of Mormon

The Indians from Arizona performed a hoop dance as part of  their culture.

I thought of Margie and Nathan when I watched this dance from Chile.  They were both missionaries in Chile.

I especially enjoyed the dances from Mexico.

I brought home from Mexico with me a costume like the ones in red and green.  I learned some of their Native dances and performed them a time or two after my mission.

Once the legends were told, a performer playing the role of Joseph Smith came on stage and talked about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. 

With an added song and re-enactment  of Nephi engraving on the golden plat es, Joseph Smith was then handed the plat es and translatged them into the Book of Mormon.

Before a final song,  the performance ended with these words: "The Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, truly did come to our ancestors.  he blessed them and promised that he would return again."

The large choir sang some beautiful numbers.

I have a great love for the Lamanites.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve among them as a missionary.  They taught me so very much and were a great impact on my life.

There was a huge cast of dancers and singers that bore testimony of  Jesus Christ who is the light to all nations.

After the performance I waited at Door 15 at the Conference Center to see my good friend.

Esthela's family was one of my special convert families from my mission in 1956.  We have kept in touch these many years. This family made my  two year ,mission in Mexico so special to me.  I was led by the spirit to their door. Their family doubled the number in our small branch in Auguascalientes.

I knocked on Esthela's family's door in Auguascalientes, Mexico.

Her family was ready for the gospel when we knocked on their door.  Esthela was only 3 years old.

Thank you Melvin and Tami for coming with me to the Latin Celebration and waiting after to see my friends.

Esthela thanked me for bringing the gospel to her family.

She has some beautiful daughters and cute grandchildren.

As we walked out of the Conference Center we saw the Salt Lake Temple as a beacon of light for all of the world.