Lighting of the Temple, message of joy in giving; Photo Gallery

2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The traditional lighting of the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tonight welcomed a crowd of saints and members of the community in St. George.

President Thales Derrick welcomed all in attendance and opened the ceremony with prayer. President David Clove delivered a message encouraging the joy that can be found in giving to others during the holiday season. And Dr Craig Booth offered a benediction.

Dixie High School sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas and were joined by the audience in attendance in the singing of Silent Night closing the ceremony.

Please enjoy the ceremony via our photo gallery:

2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Dixie High School singers 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Dixie High School students sing at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Pastor Jimi Kestin (center standing) of Solomon’s Porch Foursquare Church attends the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
President Thales Derrick at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Thales Derrick delivers an address at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Mayor Dan McArthur 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
City of St. George Mayor Dan McArthur on stage at the at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
President and Sister Leonard at the at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Keith Leonard and Sister Leonard at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Dr. Craig Booth 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Dr. Craig Booth at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Elder Judd Morgan 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
LDS Elder Judd Morgan at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Councilman Jon Pike (L) 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
L to R: St. George City Councilman Jon Pike and Utah District 67 Rep. Don Ipson attend the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Nate and Rita Sylvestri 2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Nate and Rita Silvestri of the St. George Catholic Church, at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Nativity scene at the lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Tim Martin (L) at the Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Tim Martin (L) at the Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
Nativity scene set at lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS Temple annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News
2012 Lighting of the LDS St. George Temple
Lighting of the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an annual Christmas ceremony, St. George, Utah, Nov. 23, 2012 | Photo by Sandie Divan, St. George News

St. George News citizen Sandie Divan contributed to this article.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2012, all rights reserved.

 

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13 Comments

  • Steve November 24, 2012 at 1:51 am

    Thales Derrick is not the President of the LDS Church. You will want to correct his title in this article. Also, after you have mentioned the full name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints once, it isn’t necessary to repeat the full name every time after that.

    It looks like the Christmas spirit was captured in the lighting of the grounds of the St. George Temple. Merry Christmas to all!

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic November 24, 2012 at 5:51 am

      Correction made, Steve, with our apologies for any confusion. The reason we do include the full name of the LDS Church on each photo is because photos can be separately pulled up on the web. In story, though, we agree with you – first reference is sufficient for the full name.

  • Tyler November 24, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Anybody else noticed how the City puts less and less lights up on the trees/streetlights on the boulevard going thru downtown each year?! I just think it’s sad that today’s kids get less treatment to the spirit of the holidays. Just what happened to decorating the avenues downtown anyway? It’s so dark and unfestive more this year than ever!

  • Barbra November 24, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    I agree with Tyler, this is the most unfestive city, when one would think it’d be the opposite being a big family/religious town. Look how festive SLC’s downtown streets are in comparison. A few years back i remember when lights were strung on the trees lining the medians of the Blvd. and the fountain and trees was a big, beautiful lighted display on the corner of Bluff and SG Blvd., this year…nothing. Very disappointing how the simple magic of Christmas is disapearing for this generation of our youth :/

    • HunnerWoof November 25, 2012 at 11:35 am

      It’s all about the dollars, I’m sure. Holiday lighting for a city if pretty expensive from paying the crews for installation and removal, we well as the power bill to light it all. I agree it would be nice, but then they have to deal with all the people down here griping about their taxes going to frivolous displays. It’s a double edged sword, I guess.

  • Annettie Cannavale November 25, 2012 at 11:07 am

    The other guy in the photo with Jon Pike is Rep. Don Ipson of District 75 if you want to caption it.

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic November 25, 2012 at 11:14 am

      Omigosh – thank you Annettie, no disrespect intended to the congressman. We will.

      • Annettie Cannavale November 25, 2012 at 12:14 pm

        I’m sure you didn’t.
        Who is the photographer, Sandie Divan? I don’t believe I’ve seen his/her work here before. Excellent pictures.

        • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic November 25, 2012 at 2:14 pm

          Sandie is a wonderful member, like you, Annetie, of our “St. George News community.” She offered to go, shoot, contribute. We accepted with gratitude. St. George News is very much a “you and us” joint endeavor – and we are so blessed when people want to participate and contribute. Thank you for noticing her work, it will bring her joy – of that I am certain.
          Joyce

  • Rita Silvestriritas November 25, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    My husband, Nate and I had a wonderful time at the St. George Temple of the Church of the Latter Day Saints annual Christmas lighting ceremony.on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was just beautiful. We wish to thank our dear friends, Tom and Patsy Lamb for inviting us to represent the St. George Catholic Church at the event that evening. We were most honored. We also wish the entire community of St. George a holy and blessed Christmas Season.

    Rita and Nate Silvestri

  • Desert Rat November 26, 2012 at 5:57 am

    It is a dark season with lack of holiday lights along the streets downtown…Oh well, sign of the times as we become imune to this neverending depression…

  • -Mike- November 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Who needs Christmas lights when we have an awesome carousel?! Plus, the more lights we put on the streets, the easier it will be to see all the potholes, and we don’t want that, either. Just ignore it and it will go away, right?

  • Tyler November 27, 2012 at 12:10 am

    It is nice to see the local freemason temple lit up.

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