On Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, hundreds of missionaries in training and their leaders were treated to a spectacular Christmas concert at the Provo Missionary Training Center. The stage was adorned with sparkling Christmas trees, setting the perfect festive mood. A combination of training missionaries and professional singers drew from hymns and albums like "Strive to Be" and "Songs of Devotion" from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Experience the Joy of Christmas through Music

Opening with "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful"

A group of sister missionaries began the concert with "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful." The hymn's opening lines, "Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant," perfectly captured the spirit of the occasion. Ben Truman, one half of the Truman Brothers, emphasized that these words described the missionaries, the concert, and the Christmas season. When the call came to serve, they answered joyfully and triumphantly.After that, Ben Truman sang "Israel, Israel, God is Calling" with his brother Chad Truman. This arrangement can be found in the "Songs of Devotion, Vol. 2" app or Gospel Library. The powerful message of the song resonated with the audience.

Ysabelle Cuevas' Performances

Ysabelle Cuevas sang "Disciple of Christ" and was joined by a group of missionaries and fellow Strive to Be artists Halo Crowther and Pearce Morris to sing the "FSY Medley." Both songs are available in the Strive to Be or youth music collections. Her performance was a highlight of the concert, showcasing her talent and the unity of the missionaries.Cuevas expressed her amazement at seeing all the happy missionaries. She felt immense joy being in their presence and was grateful for the opportunity to share in their spirit.

Morris' Message

Morris spoke about how the shepherds shared the miracle of the baby Jesus with the world. He emphasized that sharing the gospel is the true joy of Christmas and the purpose of missionary work. Before singing "A Savior is Born" from the Church's music library, he shared this powerful message.His words inspired the missionaries and reminded them of the importance of their work. The Spirit was strong at the event, especially during the FSY medley.

Other Songs and Performances

Other songs in the concert included "Star Bright," "Christ the Lord," and "Healer," all from the Church's music library. The hymns "Joy to the World," "How Great the Wisdom and the Love," and "Silent Night" also added to the festive atmosphere.The missionaries were shown how to find these albums in the Sacred Music app or Gospel Library by navigating to the Youth and Contemporary section, Music for Everyday Listening, and "Hymns—For Home and Church." They were encouraged to continue listening to the music and share it with those they serve.

Spirit and Testimony

Crowther sang the youth theme song for 2025, "Look Unto Christ," and shared how singing about the Savior brings peace. She felt the Spirit most during this time and was grateful for the opportunity to share it through music.Elder Nash Lawrence from Fresno, California, assigned to the Brazil Salvador Mission, played a percussion instrument on stage despite having no prior experience. He was amazed at what he could achieve with the Lord's help.

Reminding of Elder Kearon's Talk

The whole evening reminded Elder Nash Lawrence of a talk by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October 2024 general conference titled "Welcome to the Church of Joy." Elder Kearon emphasized worshipping the Lord through hymns, and for Lawrence, singing hymns has become an important part of worship.The various performances and messages at the concert left a lasting impression on all those in attendance, reminding them of the true meaning of Christmas and the power of music.