News Release

‘Light the World’ Christmas Initiative Encourages Christlike Service

25 Ways 25 Days

            

Latter-day Saints and their friends around the world are encouraging the public to participate in service opportunities during the Christmas season to celebrate the life of Jesus Christ. The “Light the World” Christmas initiative will reach worldwide audiences beginning Friday, November 24, 2017, and will run through Christmas Day, December 25.  

The “Light the World” Christmas initiative, now in its second year, focuses on celebrating and sharing the light of Jesus Christ, the “light of the world” (John 8:12). The Savior declared, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).  

“As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others,” said President Thomas S. Monson in a general conference address in October 2015.   

Media Assets

Sharable online content is available at mormon.org,  including a new inspirational video in 33 languages and a service advent calendar, “In 25 Ways, Over 25 Days,” to encourage the public to follow Christ’s teachings during the Christmas season. Each day, mormon.org will feature teachings of the Savior with a brief video and service ideas. The website is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A web landing page also provides links to resources in 29 languages.

 
        

A playable/downloadable version of the main video is also available on the Church’s Gospel Library app.

The shareable content is being posted on the social media pages of mormon.org, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. Those on social media are encouraged to share their experiences by using the hashtag #LIGHTtheWORLD.

In addition, “Light the World” displays can be found at visitors’ centers in cities around the world, including Mexico City and Paris. Billboards can be seen in New York City’s Times Square, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Capetown, and  Durban, South Africa.

Posters and pass-along cards are also available online for members and missionaries to encourage others to participate in the campaign.

The Church’s Missionary Department has sponsored online campaigns during the Christmas and Easter seasons for the past several years. Last year’s “Light the World” effort featured videos and a 25-day advent calendar with service ideas for the Christmas season.

Last spring’s Easter initiative included a shareable video in 33 languages illustrating the role of Jesus Christ as “Prince of Peace.”

In December 2015, the “A Savior Is Born” Christmas initiative reached millions of people around the world. Millions were also reached with the “Follow Him” Easter initiative in 2016.

The Church launched its first Easter initiative in 2014 with a weeklong social media campaign titled “Because of Him.” In December 2014, a month-long Christmas initiative, “He Is the Gift,” was shared with global audiences.

For more information, visit mormon.org. 

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.