Festival of Lights 2012

This year's Festival of Lights began on November 28th. This invitation only event is for dignitaries and is held on the main floor of the Visitors Center.  Those in attendance included Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife,  Sister Wendy Nelson.  The ambassador from Ukraine, Ambassador Motskyk had been invited to speak and to help turn the lights on. Other ambassadors and congressmen were in attendance.

On November 29 another invitation only event was held in the auditorium for others working in embassies, stake presidency members and others who are friends of the church.

Photos are from those two nights along with several other occasions when we have been at the Visitors Center.

Elder McDonald is part of the parking crew.

Elder Standing also wears a parking vest to guide those who are attending opening night.

Elder Dillon and Elder Hart also are there to help park cars.

Elder Cervantes has a spot where he is directing cars. 

Elder Hatch also directs traffic.

Both elders and sisters are assigned stations where they greet people.

Elder Brown helps welcome at the front door.

Sister Blasco and Sister Schoemaker welcome people inside the door.

Sister Lavrentyeva greets people in the auditorium.

Sister Clement lets concert goers know where they can join the line. 

Because this year's special delegation came from Ukraine, one of our missionaries who is Ukrainian was invited to attend the opening night.

Elder Synelnikov with someone from the Ukrainian delegation. Notice the chairs set up for the program.

Elder Synelnikov with Ambassador Motsyk and his wife.

Elder Bigelow and Elder Sanchez are introduced to Elder Hinckley and his wife. The Hinckleys were at the event because of their calling with hosting.

Left to right: Elder Brown (Elder Synelnikov's companion), Elder Synelnikov, Elder Nelson and Sister Nelson.

On the second evening the program was held in the auditorium.

The Mormon Choir of Washington performed both evenings.

Brother JW Marriott addresses the group.  He has sponsored and hosted the Festival of Lights for 35 years.

Here are a few of the 500 attendees.

Elder Nelson with Sister Nelson. Elder Nelson gave the spiritual message connecting lights with Jesus Christ.

One of the favorite things for the children is to be invited on stage to shake jingle bells and sing with the choir.

Also at the Visitors Center is a large exhibit of creches from throughout the world.

These creches are from Ukraine.

Sister Matsumori and  Sister Porter in the creche room.

And of course there are trees throughout the Visitors Center. (I think the sisters are more beautiful than the trees.)

Sister Miller and Sister Nakatsuka.

Sister Bullock

Elder Olsen, Sister Quintanilla and Sister  Word.

And of course - there are the lights.

President and Sister Matsumori with Brother Brewer who has greeted attendees for 25 years.