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    7 December 2020 - AUCKLAND, New Zealand
    News Story

    Pacific Latter-day Saints and Friends #LightTheWorld Through Music

    Online Christmas musical brings people together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ

    Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in a memorable Pacific Christmas Musical on Sunday evening, 6 December.

                                                             

    Choirs from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand sang Christmas carols and hymns during the online musical program.  Individuals and families shared messages of how they #LightTheWorld during the Christmas season.

       
    Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 / 2
         
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      Soloist Matahi Teihotua, from Tahiti, said, “It was such an honour for me to participate in the Pacific Christmas Musical which reminds us that Christ was born for our salvation. It was a huge blessing for me to represent my people from Tahiti and its islands. How grateful I am for this opportunity that gives each one of us, children of God, of all nationalities, but especially my Polynesian people, a voice. It gives them a presence in the work of God.”

      Pacific Christmas Musical, Matahi Teihotua, Tahiti
      Matahi Teihotua, Tahiti, sings "The First Noel"2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                            Singer-songwriter, Stephanie Dass, of Melbourne Australia, invited Joshua Larsen, from the children’s Primary organisation in her congregation, to be part of her song and in the music video.
      Pacific Christmas Musical, Stephanie Dass, Melbourne, Australia
      Stephanie Dass, Melbourne, Australia sings "O Holy Night" 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                          

      “Josh loves singing, and he always participates in 'Singing Time Live' online,” she said. “So, I thought it would be really cute to include him.”

      Josh Larsen and Stephanie Dass, Australia
      Josh Larsen and Stephanie Dass in " O Holy NIght"© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                    

      Her husband, Amit, composed the arrangement for “O Holy Night” and thought to incorporate the lyrics of “I Am a Child of God” in the song.

      Hearts were turned to Jesus Christ as evidenced by comments of appreciation and love being posted by many listeners.

      Joseph Kelemete, from Samoa, wrote, “It is so beautiful to hear the many different languages. Even though we may not understand each other, the message is the same and we are all children of our Heavenly Father…beautiful music.”

      Bryan Walton, from Sammamish, Washington, US, said, “You haven’t heard ‘The Hallelujah Chorus’ until you have heard it in Tongan!”

      For those desiring to experience a beautiful Christmas celebration, the Pacific Christmas Musical is still available to view online.

      Pacific Christmas Musical, Yonita Tuia-Tauiliili (left)
      Yonita Tuia-Tauiliili (Left), Samoa, and friends sing Silent Night to close the program2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                                              

         

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