World Conference is… well words can not truly describe it. It has been amazing being with my brothers and sisters from around the globe, to find old acquaintances and friends and make new ones. Oh how I wish the world was one where people could freely travel without governments prohibiting, or economics prohibiting that travel. On Thursday it was amazing to see the International Leaders gathered together on the stair well for their picture, the diversity and representation of humanity present at that time was amazing, and while present in the conference chamber, last night as I looked around and saw that diversity around me I also saw it diluted further away do to those limitations than what would be if they did not exist. Oh how I yearn for that day.
Yesterday and the day before (Saturday) I found tears escaping my eyes, though not like those of 2004, but still they fell. When the flags were unfurled, and I heard for several nations “2007″ as the date for the church officially being recognized it was.. well so joyful and powerful. At the same time as I listed to the various dates I wondered, “Why did it take so long for… Why did that place far away from other palaces happen before that place closer to places the church was already established…” I am a historian and a theologian, a lover of people and I am curious of the reasoning’s for entry of certain nations. For example the church was started in the US in 1830, and while nations on the other side of the globe entered in the next 130 years why not Mexico until the 1960s? Was there effort to share Christ’s peace prior to that? Was there a presence long before then but just did not become recognized until then? Or were there reasons that led to a presence and eventual representation to take so long, that should not have been reasons?
The second time of tear was in the communion service. I was surprised by this as Apostle Linda Booth’s sermon at first was not doing much for me, in fact my find flashed to some sermons we watched in my intro to homiletics class this term that were similar in stile, but then somewhere something or combinations of things lead me to a new place, a place of hope and joy, and the tear fell and I engaged in the sacramental preaching event with her and those around me.
Oh there are perhaps other times so far that tears fell as well, (such as this morning as I re-red the letter of counsel Steve gave the church last night. But reflection on those words is for another time, when I am not as rushed as I am now.
Peace be with you,
— Lyle II