<code> Thousands of lights - hung in shrubbery, trees and other areas surrounding the Manila Philippines Temple - transformed the temple grounds into a spectacular sight at the annual lighting ceremony Nov. 29.</code>

<code> Almost 17,000 people attended the ceremony to witness the illumination of the lights. Elder Augusto A. Lim of the Seventy, second counselor in the Philippines/Micronesia Area presidency and a native of the Philippines, flipped the switch that turned on the lights.Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, area president, spoke at the ceremony, as did F. Briton McConkie, Manila temple president; Ishmael Mathay Jr., Quezon City mayor; and Ignacio Bunye, Metro Manila Authority chairman and Muntinlupa mayor.</code>

<code> Other local government officials also attended the lighting ceremony, including the chief of civil-military relations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other representatives from the Armed Forces as well as the Quezon City councilor.</code>

<code> "At this Christmas season," Elder Featherstone said, "we see again the lowly stable and manger, the radiance of Mary and the submissiveness of Joseph. We hear the choirs and proclamations. We bear testimony with Isaiah and the prophets. We worship and love, we live and we strive, we honor and adore Him. He is the King of heaven and earth, the literal Son of God, Jesus the Christ. Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."</code>

<code> ". . . Today stands a Church which is a landmark in Quezon City," Mayor Mathay remarked. "Not only a landmark in terms of architectural design, not only a landmark for it stands as a building of steel and stone, but a Church that is living, that is vibrant and that is breathing, responding to the needs of the community."</code>

<code> Mayor Bunye, who is not LDS, said the strength of the Church comes from members who are upright and righteous people and he expects to see membership grow. "Today we see the number, I think more than double from last year, and next year we expect the number to quadruple, until we fill the whole of Quezon City and the Philippines."</code>

<code> The ceremony, which included the music of four choirs, began a musical program held nightly at the temple grounds beginning Dec. 13 through 20. The Las Pinas Youth Choir, Marikina Stake Choir, Quezon City Stake Choir and Makati Stake Choir provided music for the lighting ceremony.</code>

<code> Choirs from different stakes and districts in Metro Manila were scheduled to perform in the nightly programs at the temple grounds. Church leaders anticipated large crowds would be drawn to the temple as in past years for the music, lights and peaceful atmosphere.</code>

<code> Roland Arcansalin, temple recorder and president of the Manila Philippines Stake, conducted the lighting ceremony.</code>

<code> The Manila Temple was recently adjudged as a "Model Institution" for 1992 by the Quezon City Industrial Safety Council for its strict adherence to safety.</code>