We spent a lot of time in the preparation. [MUSIC PLAYING] When you think about what goes into doing a Christmas concert, it is literally tens of thousands of hours-- some of it by paid staff, but the huge part of it by this army of volunteers.
You know, the question is, why do we do this? We're not making money at it. We don't sell the tickets. We give them away free. What's the motivation? This is really the First Presidency's Christmas gift to the world. This is a way for people to know that we have testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ. [MUSIC PLAYING] And you can't sit in that hall and feel that music and see what you're seeing and not feel the Spirit. [MUSIC PLAYING] The spirit of giving the best that they can and of really uplifting lives. So there's a spiritual element to what was happening today and the last few days that's really different. [MUSIC PLAYING - "ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY"]
(SINGING) Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth. Ye who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth. (SINGING) Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Well, when I arrived, I knew that the choir was a volunteer choir. And that I found extraordinary in and of itself. I didn't know that all the backstage people, all the dancers, all the bell clappers-- that they were all volunteer as well. And then that the orchestra was volunteer. For this event, they gave of their time and talent and themselves. I mean, it's the most giving thing they could possibly do. [MUSIC PLAYING - "ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY"] (SINGING) Though an infant now we view Him, He shall fill His Father's throne. We hope that those who view the concert, whether here, live in the Conference Center, or a year later, or several years later, will feel the great beauty of the season, and certainly the celebration of the birth of Christ. And the angels said unto them, "Fear not-- for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." [MUSIC PLAYING - "ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY"]
(SINGING) Gloria!
Gloria!
[APPLAUSE]
