‘Luz de las Naciones’ Celebrates 100 Years of Church Growth in South America

The annual “Luz de las Naciones” event brought the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, to life with vibrant music and dance during two nights of Latin American cultural celebration.

On Friday and Saturday, November 7 and 8, 2025, tens of thousands attended in person, while many more thousands watched the broadcast on Saturday to experience this year’s theme, “Paz que Ilumina” (Peace that Shines) — a tribute to the enduring peace found in Jesus Christ.

“We can find peace — true peace — in Jesus Christ. The peace of the world is temporary, but the peace offered by Christ can endure even during difficult situations,” said Sister Andrea Spannaus of the Young Women General Presidency, who attended the event. “This year, this [show] is an invitation to pause for a moment and learn more about the peace that Christ can give us.”

This year’s celebration had a special focus on commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ being preached in South America.

“One hundred years of history, service and growth have transformed communities and blessed the lives of millions,” said director Israel González-Nieri. “For me, this anniversary is not only a remembrance of what we have received but also an invitation to continue sharing the light of Christ that brings peace and hope to the world.”

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“We’re celebrating 100 years of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in South America,” said Jason C. Jensen, Area Seventy. “The good that has come from that — the millions of people that have been blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ in South America — has just been a great blessing and a miracle.”

This is the 23rd year of Luz de las Naciones, which features a cast of 1,000 volunteer musical artists.

Lucy Polido, a soloist, is happy to share the universal language of music with participants.

“This event is magical,” she said. “It touches the hearts of everyone through our music, through our folklore — not only from Mexico, which is the country I am representing, but from all the Latin American countries.”

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Attendees came from a variety of locales and backgrounds. Celeste Escarzaga, 23, of Chihuahua, Mexico, said the focus on 100 years of the restored gospel in South America deepened her gratitude for Christ’s impact on her culture.

“Watching ‘Luz de las Naciones’ has made me realize the power that the gospel has,” Escarzaga said. “I’m grateful that my family has been able to learn about the gospel through mission work, and now I am here too. I can only think of being thankful and grateful for it.”

Saby Ruiz-Monroy, 25, of South Florida, said learning of the sacrifices so many made to join the Church in South America helps her think about her future family.

“I’m the only member of my family right now,” she said. “It means a lot to me that I can share that with my future children, my family, that, hey no matter where you are from, the Church is there, the gospel’s there, and that the Church is everywhere.”

Jamie Ninataype, 35, a Peruvian in Ogden, Utah, was touched most by the event’s finale.

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“All the dancers came out carrying the flags of all the beautiful countries that encompass Latin America,” Ninataype said. “This is what I believe ‘Luz de las Naciones’ really celebrates — our strength through our diversity. In a time of uncertainty for many, it’s important now more than ever to realize we are not alone and we have so much good to share.”

“Coming together through Christ is just so powerful,” added Escarzaga. “It defines the unity that we are able to have as humans and as the world. I’m just super grateful for this whole ‘Luz de las Naciones.’ It makes the impossible, possible.”