Living Faith

See photos from Luz de las Naciones: ‘Nuestra Tierra’ (‘Our Land’)

Offering some remarks in Spanish, President Dallin H. Oaks welcomed the audience to the celebration that represented multiple countries

By Mary Richards Nov 4, 2023 11:52 p.m. EDT

Performers reach out their arms to the audience at the conclusion of the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Living Faith

See photos from Luz de las Naciones: ‘Nuestra Tierra’ (‘Our Land’)

Offering some remarks in Spanish, President Dallin H. Oaks welcomed the audience to the celebration that represented multiple countries

By Mary Richards Nov 4, 2023 11:52 p.m. EDT

Over two nights, Nov. 3-4, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, beloved songs, dances and traditions were showcased from countries throughout Latin America and more.

With the theme “Nuestra Tierra” (“Our Land”), the 21st annual “Luz de las Naciones” (“Light of the Nations”) featured 1,000 volunteer performers.

On Friday night, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, welcomed the audience with some of his opening remarks in Spanish to the 15,000 people in the audience.

“You are Hispanic pioneers in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you continue to enrich lives with your culture and your faithfulness in the restored gospel,” President Oaks said.

The celebration told the story of Spanish-speaking pioneers in the Church and the first Hispanic Latter-day Saint congregation in Utah, established 100 years ago.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Spain were represented in the music and dances. While most of these countries are Spanish-speaking, Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country, and the two-night event paid homage to Brazil’s culture as well.

The live event was recorded for on-demand viewing on broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the Gospel Stream app and YouTube in Spanish.

The broadcast was streamed Saturday, Nov. 4, in Spanish on YouTube. English and Portuguese versions with subtitles were expected to also be made available.

See photos from the event below.

A wide view of the stage, choir and dancers for 2023 Luz de las Naciones with the theme, “Nuestra Tierra” (“Our Land”), performed in the Conference Center.

President Dallin H. Oaks greets the audience in the Conference Center for the 2023 Luz de las Naciones.

Dancers wearing red, white and blue perform a number during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

A view of the backdrop, decorations, choir and dancers during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Dancers wearing white swirl red capes during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Women dancers holding up pink dresses and men holding hats enter the stage during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

A band with various instruments performs during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Dancers wearing red and black traditional costumes move across the stage during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Soloist Ian Herrera sings a song from Peru during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Audience members on three levels of the Conference Center hold up flashlights on their cell phones during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones.”

Dancers representing Brazil, Cuba and other countries share the stage during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Dancers wearing large green wings and white and green costumes represent Brazil during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Women each wearing green, red, yellow and blue dresses dance during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Two couples dance together during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Women in white dresses swirl as they dance in the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Men in white hold up red ribbons during a number in the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

The stage and backdrop of the Conference Center includes bright decorations for the theme “Our Land” during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” event.

Two boys in the audience shine the flash light app on cell phones during the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.

Cast members hold flags representing several countries in the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” event in the Conference Center.