Slide Shows
I’ve received so much input and requests for the “Draw Near” slide show I did several years ago for a silent Christmas lesson, I decided it was time to see what more I could do to share it more completely.
So the good news is with new tools and resources, I’ve been able to find more ways to share this so anyone can enjoy it - including music! I’ve also created a second slide show, “Come Unto Him” which is more general on Christ’s life and mission. While I think the first one has its own merits, I’m personally happier with the new one. *wink* Both run just under a half hour in length. (The files are going to be large so be patient with download times.)
The bad news is it’s still not perfect. While I can generate movie files from the presentations, the timing doesn’t stay true to the original. *frown* It still works, but it speeds up each action just enough that each slide ends with some blank time while music finishes. However, it requires no special tools and it just works. You can even download it and put it on a CD or DVD for viewing if you wanted.
I have created three ways to enjoy the slide shows. I’m listing them in order of greatest satisfaction, with explanations of why and tips.
1. Download the slide show file and use it with the same program it was generated with (Keynote software for the Mac.) Use a projector and big screen for presentation. Believe me, the difference is well worth the efforts.
To download, right click on the image and save the file to your computer.
2. Easiest Option Download the movie file. View, save, move to other media like CD or DVD for projector or TV viewing. You can use the view tools of Quick Time or other media player to adjust the size of the presentation. Draw Near starts in full screen mode, just press the esc key to exit to the standard/normal size window. Incidentally, if you just click on the images they will open the file in a browser window, to save the file you need to follow the download instructions.
To download, right click on the image and save the file to your computer.
3. Download the slide show file converted into a Power Point format, tweak the conversion problems and use the projector and big screen for presentation. I list this last because it means work for anyone using Windows, PCs and Microsoft software but at least you can open the file in that program and make edits, using the movie files as your guide you can likely make the Power Point file work like the Keynote file. Under these file links I will also share the errors in conversion that were reported so you know right where to look and tweak. (If anyone tackles this, would you kindly let us know so we can share it here?)
To download, right click on the image and save the file to your computer.
For any interested, the original Silent Christmas lesson and presentation details can be found here. The notes in this file will be helpful, there are also three copies of paper silent lessons included. The primary problem with sharing this first work was copyright permissions for music making it difficult for people to secure their own copies to go with the show. The “Draw Near” show on this page has been edited with new music that is free to share under the Intellectual Reserve copyright of the Church, Sally Deford’s generous site and copyright and one free download from a LDS music site (Power in His Touch).
The newer show, “Come Unto Him” uses new and old artwork under the same Intellectual Reserve copyright making it legal to share for personal and church use, it also contains only scripture references, one page of quotes from Elder Holland and the music from the seminary section of the Church music site.
Enjoy!
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[...] minutes and combine artwork, scripture and music in a powerful presentation on Christ. I have a new Slide Show Page with all the details and various download formats for anyone [...]
Pingback by Holly’s Corner Blog » Christmas Slide Shows — November 20, 2009 @ 11:59 am
I wanted to download it but i must be too far from my internet connection. Will need to check it out later.
Hope all is well with you!
It’s worth the download but it’s HUGE, so it’s gonna take a good, strong connection I think. So fun to *see* you more active again and to hear good things for you!
Comment by Vicky — November 23, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
I really wanted to do your Draw Near lesson for my lesson this Sunday the 20th, however we cannot seem to get it to download. My husband spent hours on it and couldn’t get it to work. We then had a computer savy friend come over to try, no luck again. Our friend then tried from his home computer. And today from his work computer. We are having no luck. Please Please could you help me? I really want to do this lesson it sounds wonderful
Teddi
Hi Teddi,
You can try this link: http://www.squidoo.com/inspirational-christmas-slide-shows where the movie versions are also stored. What problems are you having with the downloads? Are you right clicking and saving the file? Is it a connection issue? A repeated error? I can’t duplicate any problems so I’m powerless to troubleshoot. Any additional error or problem info would be helpful.
Comment by Teddi — December 14, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Hi Holly, great site! I downloaded the Draw Near Unto Me .mov video file and noticed the music stops at about 2:40. Is this the way it’s supposed to be or should I tell me cousin to add some music after that part during her lesson?
No, the music should continue throughout the lesson. If it’s stopping I would add some of my own to it.
However, make sure you’re downloading the file before viewing. Lots of weirdness, pauses, etc. happens when viewing while downloading. 
Comment by Brandon — November 23, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
I’ve tried downloading the Draw Near Unto Me slideshow several different times and on different computers, but the music isn’t working. I want to do this for our Relief Society Christmas program this year…it is a beautiful slideshow and I think the sisters would really enjoy it. However, I’m no very computer savvy. Is it possible to get the list of songs you used and at what point in the slideshow they start? Is there ever a time in the show where it is total silence and no music at all or is music constantly playing? Thanks for all your help! I love your blog!
Hi Jolene,
I think they’re just too big and technology changes really keep them messed up. I’ll have to explore if there any ways to help improve it. This page may work too: http://www.squidoo.com/inspirational-christmas-slide-shows. There’s a music list to the original/first slide show in that link in the bottom paragraph. All the songs on the new slide shows were pulled from the church website - the institute and CES music most. There is no time of complete silence. You could play any soft instrumental music in the background.
I wish these files weren’t so problematic.
Comment by Jolene Ogden — October 26, 2011 @ 9:40 am
I was able to get this to work perfectly when I played in QuickTime player. The music worked for the whole thing! For our ward’d Relief Society Christmas dinner and program, I used the new “Come Unto Him” presentation that you made. The spirit was so strong. You did an awesome job making it. Thanks so much for sharing so others could use it. People have been asking me where I got it from, because they want to have it. I used it for a FHE with my family, because I loved it. Can you tell me the music that you used for it? I cannot figure out one of the songs. Thanks again.
Hi Katie. I’m so happy to hear it!
I’ve been working on making copies on DVDs so have just been watching it again too - it does really invite the spirit! Here’s a list of the songs used in it:
CES_NT_17_Long_PromisedDay.mov
CES_NT_01_ComeuntoHim-3.mov
CES_BoM_18_StandAsWitnessesTheme3.mov
CES_BoM_10_FirmintheFaithofChristTheme.mov
CES_BoM_21_MySoulHungered_MusicOnly-5.mov
CES_BoM_22_TheOliveTreeMusicOnly.mov
CES_BoM_05_TheOliveTree.mov
Comment by Katie S. — December 6, 2011 @ 9:02 pm
Holly, I did as your instructions said to download the movie file but all it saved is the picture of the cover. I could say that I am pretty tech-savvy and I can’t download this. I have even used the squiddo and it did the same thing. Any suggestions? I would appreciate any help you give me. I finally did download the whole file, it took awhile but it just saved the individual pictures and music seperately. Hmmmmmm…HELP!
I wish I could. The download problems are so out of my hands.
If you want to send a self addressed, stamped DVD envelope, I can send you a DVD. 
Holly Schwendiman
485 N 2nd E
Ste 105-241
Rexburg, ID 83440
Comment by Olivia — December 8, 2011 @ 6:20 am
I figured out why I couldn’t download. I don’t have a strong enough signal from home to download the movie files. I was able to do it at work no problem. Thank you…beautiful video!
Wonderful!
Comment by Olivia — December 8, 2011 @ 10:24 am
You have done a beautiful job with these videos! I had the video come through but the audio is confused. I’m sure it’s my system. I wanted to just add the music back in, but I’m struggling finding the songs you used in the Draw Near Unto Me presentation. I would love to have a list of the songs like you added above for the Come Unto Me presentation.
Thank you for sharing your talents!
Thanks! Here’s the list for that one:
04 Power In His Touch.wma
05 Power In His Touch Instrumental.wma
CES_NT_01_ComeuntoHim.mp3
CES_NT_17_Long_PromisedDay.mp3
CES_NT_21_ToThisEndWasIBorn.mp3
CES_NT_25_GodlySorrow_MusicOnly.mp3
sallydefordmusic+whenmarysangherlullaby.mp3
Comment by Susan — December 13, 2011 @ 12:17 pm