By Ravin Robertson
An historic Hispanic Christmas Fireside for all Spanish-speaking members and other Hispanics interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took place Sunday Dec. 8.
'Such an all-Hispanic event is unprecedented before in all the valley,' said Jorge Becerra, event spokesman and stake president in the Draper area. 'People are anxious and excited and will be really blessed by it by their attendance. I hope that this will be a continuing tradition because we have had such an overwhelming response.'
Originally scheduled in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the fireside was moved to the Conference Center just days before the event because too many people wanted to attend.
Church leaders handed out more than 15,000 tickets to this first-of-a-kind event.
'To bring a community to hear the messages of Christmas and sing the carols in their own language is something that people are looking forward to and excited about,' Becerra said. 'It certainly raises the Hispanic community at large.'
Conducted entirely in Spanish, Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder M. Russell Ballard delivered messages and a 500-member Hispanic choir sang 'Joy to the World' and 'Silent Night.'
Elder Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, addressed the audience in Spanish, emphasizing the rich culture of Latin heritage and customs.
'I have seen that those who lived in humble circumstances grow and prosper over insurmountable barriers,' he said. 'Those most successful in becoming lawyers, doctors, accountants and professors have had Christ as the center of their lives. Keep your heritage and respect God and His Son, Jesus Christ.'
Using a translator, Elder Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, related how his grandfather, Melvin J. Ballard, had dedicated South America in 1925 for the preaching of the gospel.
'My grandfather pronounced the most profound prophecy that the work was very small like an acorn tree but that it would grow into a mighty tree,' he said. 'The Latin American people would rise up and be a great force in these days. Now, we see hundreds of wards, branches, stakes and units prosper. It''s almost unbelievable the progress of the Church in 77 years.'
In a surprise visit, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve also spoke in Spanish as he highlighted the growth of the Church outside the United States.
'The Church is no longer only in America; it is in Central America, South America, Europe and Africa,' President Packer said. 'Spanish speaking members are very important to the Church.'
Spanish-speaking individuals wanting to learn more about the Church''s belief in Jesus Christ and LDS members of the Utah North Area and the Utah South Area were invited to attend the fireside.
Both areas combined encompass the entire state of Utah and part of Wyoming.
Goinzalo Pereyra, 26, of Taylorsville, whose parents sang in the choir, brought a non-member friend to the fireside.
'It''s cool to come so we can feel the things in our language,' he said. 'I think it''s nice to hear from Church leaders.'
Baptized last month, LDS member Julia Guzman, 41, of Salt Lake but originally from Guatemala City, said her husband doesn''t speak English and she only speaks a little English.
'It''s great that it''s in my own language,' she said. 'I am so happy about that. It made me feel so proud that the Church did this.'