What Prophets Have Said About Santa Claus

The following article was originally written for LDS Living. 

Is Santa Claus a part of your Christmas tradition? Check out what a few Church leaders have said about Old Saint Nick.

David O. McKay:

It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .

Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

Quoted in Stars Were Gleaming, a beautiful new book featuring the artwork of Greg Olsen.

Boyd K. Packer:

I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good, and all of them are for children–except, I suppose, the mistletoe.

Read the full article at LDSliving.com.