Editor’s note: This article originally ran in December 2020 and was updated in December 2021.
For over 50 years, lights have decorated Temple Square at Christmastime. And this year the lights are still on, even though some areas of Temple Square will remain unlit due to construction.
A Church News article looks back at the history of the lights on Temple Square. The article includes the history of the first lighting, which took place in 1965. On that occasion, President David O. McKay pressed a button which lit 40,000 lights on the square, stating in part, “God help us that we may have His Spirit, and may His light shine in the hearts of every man, woman, and child.”
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That first year, a single arborist, J. Leland Behunin, hung all 40,000 lights by himself over the course of six weeks. Now, the preparations begin in August. Official lighting ceremonies continued until 1999, when capacity and safety concerns caused the official ceremony to cease.
This year, for the first time ever, an animated nativity will be projected on the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. This new presentation, entitled “Peace on Earth,” uses shadow graphics, a narration of Luke 2, and music to tell the Christmas story in a kid-friendly way that the whole family can enjoy.
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Read more about the history of Christmas lights at Temple Square at Church News.
