Around 500 members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took part in the New Zealand launch of the Christmas initiative "Light the World" in Wellington on 24 November.
A devotional to launch the initiative was attended by local Latter-day Saints as well as a number of special guests from the community.
Guests were invited to bring a gift which will be donated to children in the community.
Among those in attendance were His Excellency Fisa Pihigia, Niue High Commissioner in New Zealand; Mayor Ray Wallace, Hutt City; and leaders from six other Christian denominations.
Each church group shared a Christmas musical item during the devotional.
Pomare Primary School principal, Katrina Day, gratefully received the gifts on the night, on behalf of students at the school.
Guests were presented with framed copies of the Church's "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
Mayor Wallace expressed thanks to all in attendance and for the encouragement to "Light the World" this Christmas season by serving those around us in our communities.
He said he was very happy to see so many young people at the devotional.
"Faith and hope in your young people brings prosperity to a community," he said.
President of the Upper Hutt New Zealand Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Huriwhenua T. Parata, thanked the Church members and other guests for supporting the children and for looking for other ways to serve as Christ served.
"What a joy to worship the Saviour together as a community," he said.
President Parata encouraged everyone to love one another and be kinder to each other.
"No matter where we are, our Christian values will Light the world."
Bishop Robert Semu led a team of local Latter-day Saints who organised the gathering.
#LightTheWorld is a global Christmas initiative launched by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which encourages people around the world to serve others during the holiday season.
The “Light the World” campaign, now in its third year, runs through to the end of December 2018.
This year’s theme, “Give as He Gave,” invites people to follow the example of the Saviour Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Watch more videos and learn more about the worldwide "Light the World" initiative.