The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ushered in the Christmas season on Sunday, Dec. 7, with the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional.
As the closing speaker for Sunday evening’s broadcast, President Henry B. Elling, First Counselor in the First Presidency, testified of both the Savior’s love and hope and encouraged listeners to share that love and hope with their loved ones this Christmas season through simple acts of kindness.
“When we are kind and serve one another as the Savior does, even in the smallest ways, we can be channels of God’s grace so that those in our sphere of influence can feel the Savior’s love and hope. James, Jespere,” President Eyring declared.
President Dallin H. Oaks of the Church and President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, also attended, but did not speak during the Christmas broadcast. The devotional was the first public event held together by the new First Presidency since its inauguration about two months ago.
In leading the devotion, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles extended Church leaders’ “loving and warm Christmas greetings” to Latter-day Saints, their families, and friends around the world.
“As we enter this sacred season, I pray that we will be blessed to experience the peace, hope, and love revealed through the salvation and saving gift of Jesus Christ,” Elder Kearon said.
People look at Christmas lights surrounding the Salt Lake City Conference Center on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Previously held as a live, ticketed event at the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City, this year’s devotion featured pre-recorded messages from church leaders from the set of the “Savior of the World” production at the Conference Center Theater.
Other speakers were President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Susan H. Porter, Primary general president. Timothy L. Ferns, Young Men general president;
A summary of their messages is below.
President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints smiles during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotion broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the event.
The opening prayer was given by Elder Choi Yun-hwan, a General Authority Seventy. Sister Christine M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, offered the closing prayer.
Music was provided by the Temple Square Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra. The selections were drawn from past Christmas concerts and events by choirs and orchestras.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast, Sunday, December 7, 2025. From left: Timothy L. Ferns, Young Men Chairman, Center; Susan H. Porter, Primary general president. President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, looks on. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
How to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
You can watch the devotional broadcast below.
Please see the broadcast schedule for details including rebroadcast dates. The decision to gather to watch Christmas prayers in a meetinghouse will be at the discretion of local leaders.
Watch on demand
Video and audio recordings of the devotionals will be archived for on-demand viewing in 60 languages in the Gospel Library. Video and audio recordings in most of those languages, as well as text in English, Spanish and Portuguese, will be available in about a week, according to a church news release.
Recordings may be used as part of a ward, stake, or family Christmas celebration or gathering.
Church News coverage of past devotionals can be found at TheChurchNews.com/christmas-devotional.
Past Christmas devotions are available in the church media library.
See more photos below.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
People walk down Main Street past the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Primary President Susan H. Porter speaks during the broadcast of the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Young Men general president Timothy L. Ferns speaks during the broadcast of the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast, Sunday, December 7, 2025. From left: President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, looks on. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
From left: Central Young Men President Timothy L. Ferns; Susan H. Porter, Primary general president. Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, during the First Presidency Christmas Devotion broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President D. Todd Christofferson (right), second counselor in the First Presidency, shakes hands with Young Men general president Timothy L. Ferns during the filming of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, broadcast Sunday, December 7, 2025. Elder Patrick Keylon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, far right, and Susan H. Porter, Primary general president, are also pictured. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will host the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional broadcast on Sunday, December 7, 2025. |Christy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Salt Lake Temple, which has been under renovation since 2019, is seen surrounded by Christmas lights and decorations at Temple Square on Monday, November 24, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christmas lights and decorations at Temple Square on Monday, November 24, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
