Elder Andersen and Mongolian Ambassador Open DC Temple Festival of Lights

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was joined by Mongolian Ambassador to the U.S. Batbayar Ulziidelger on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to turn on more than 500,000 Christmas lights that surround the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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In addition to Tuesday’s event with ambassadors and U.S. government officials, the Apostle gathered Wednesday, December 4, with diplomats, government officials, and religious leaders to celebrate the festival’s beginning.

The Festival of Lights, now in its 47th year, also features Nativity créches, Christmas tree decorations from around the world, and daily holiday performances. Tickets are not required, and parking is free.

The address is 9900 Stoneybrook Drive in Kensington, Maryland. The Festival of Lights opens to the public today, December 5.

“How wonderful it is to be with so many of you from different backgrounds, faiths and traditions and perspectives during this sacred time of year when we give thanks for our many blessings and reach out to those less fortunate,” said David Marriott, whose family have hosted the Festival of Lights since the 1970s. “Each of you has a respect for humankind and an understanding that differences are what make the world a beautiful place.”

In his remarks, Elder Andersen recounted a personal story from Christmas Eve 1990 in France, where he and his wife, Kathy, served as mission leaders. The Andersens faced a challenging situation with a broken-down van. They were helped by an innkeeper in a small village who generously lent them his van so the Andersen children could be in their home for Christmas.

The Apostle said the man’s astounding act of kindness exemplified being a “purveyor of light.”

Today, people like Ambassador Batbayar radiate that same goodness, the Church leader said.

“I have witnessed his love and care for the youth of Mongolia and his significant efforts — far from his required duties — to bring English language skills to the young men and women, even those far from the capital of Ulaanbaatar. He is a purveyor of light,” Elder Andersen said.

Elder Andersen added that the same can be said of all those present.

“With your official acts of goodness and your private acts of kindness, you too are purveyors of light,” Elder Andersen said.

Ambassador Batbayar called the Festival of Lights “a beacon of hope and unity” and a “powerful symbol of the enduring spirit of fellowship that transcends borders and unites us all.”

The ambassador said the work Mongolia does with the Church of Jesus Christ is a testament to the values of democracy, human rights and religious freedom. He said the Church’s missionaries “have brought not only spiritual guidance but also humanitarian aid and educational initiatives to our communities, enriching lives and building enduring friendships.”

More than 12,000 Latter-day Saints live in the country, spread throughout 24 congregations. The Church plans to build a house of the Lord in Ulaanbaatar.

“May this festival inspire us to continue spreading love and kindness throughout the year and make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place,” Ambassador Batbayar said.

“Our greatest example is the Savior Jesus Christ. He’s our example of being the light of the world,” Elder Andersen said in an interview afterward. “We had a beautiful night here. The feeling of the Savior Jesus Christ and the goodness of the people of the world filled this room and gave us all great hope for the world in the future.”

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