Dignitaries with their lights on to signify commitment to let their light shine
It was a night of bright lights, soothing music, and a sense of peace as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its Light the World celebration at the Accra Ghana Temple.
The annual event, part of the global #LightTheWorld movement, transformed the temple grounds into a beacon of hope and service, reflecting the season’s true spirit.
President of the Africa West Area of the Church, Elder Alfred Kyungu, emphasised the profound significance of the celebration.
“It is a time that we think about Jesus the Saviour, who was born in a poor condition just to show his humility,” he said, addressing the gathered congregation beneath the temple’s illuminated grounds.
The evening’s programme, which featured musical performances and prayers, exemplified the Church’s commitment to spreading Christ’s message of love and service.
“Christ Jesus is a miracle. Even if we are going to have tough times, challenges, problems, difficulties, and illnesses, and we believe in him and we trust in him, we approach him, he will help us,” Elder Kyungu declared.
Guest of Honour, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Constituency, reinforced the evening’s message of peace and community service.
“We are supposed to be the light of this world. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth. We are supposed to be the peacemakers,” she stated, as she called for a greater alignment between civic duty and spiritual calling, especially ahead of the December 7 general election.
The #LightTheWorld initiative, which encourages individuals to perform daily acts of service throughout the Christmas season, found particular resonance in Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings’ address.
“It does not take the entire multitude to do what we have to do. It just takes a few of us who believe in our convictions and do the right thing to set an example,” she noted.
The temple grounds, adorned with thousands of lights, created a serene backdrop for what Elder Kyungu described as more than just a seasonal celebration.
“Christmas for us as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a one-day event. It should be the whole year, we should remember that because of Christ we can really be saved,” he explained.
The event, which drew participants from across the Greater Accra Region, exemplified the Church’s growing influence in West Africa and its commitment to community service.
As attendees departed into the evening, one said she carried with her not just the visual memory of the illuminated temple grounds, but also the challenge to transform the Christmas season into a sustained period of service and kindness – a living embodiment of the #LightTheWorld movement’s core message.