No, I am still not at a point to reflect upon the counsel that Steve presented to the Church Sunday night, so instead you get a reflection of today’s events.
This morning I and several others gathered in a circle in a hallway of the Temple for our first discernment opportunity. It was an interesting and reflective expedience and the perfect start to the day. Afterwards I walked the few blocks to where the Mass Meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood was being held. We primarily spent our time going over the letter of counsel regarding the changes to the presiding quorums of the church, as a whole we approved it with almost all in support of all the calls and the document as a whole.
In the afternoon we received a few reports sustained the calls of the two called to be Presidents of Seventy and members of the Council of Presidents of Seventy and also decided to not meet again as a World Conference for three years rather than two. I am still uncertain of this, as I recognize many of the reasons and agree with those, such as the time and financial costs of having a world conference every two years, however at the same time I am worried and a bit sad. sad that we a world wide community, will not be meeting as often. Worried that the desire to add additional events to make up for not having the World Conference will actually lead to more time spent and perhaps more funds spent, just not perhaps for travel. For will holding regional events in 2009 and a World Conference in 2010 truly reduce the amount of planing and other resources than having a World Conference in 2009 and 2011? Thus perhaps the cost for the individual to attend (However, in concept meeting often as a World community and sub portions sounds nice and is desirable, but stewardship wise at this time…) would be the only reduction and not on the limited resources of the church. Perhaps it is just me, but while the regional events might be nice, it might be better stewardship to forgo them. Though I think part of my problem with that idea is not the idea in general but that the US has been called out to have a gathering. I would rather like to see either a North American or several regional conferences in NA based on fields. It would be nice if financial and legal restrictions no longer existed and a place existed where the entirety, every single member, could gather for World Conference. Wouldn’t that be amazing, though perhaps delegates would still be needed as trying to keep order with a group that size…
Later in the evening I attended the worship service in the Temple. I was scheduled for 8:30 but ended up exchanging for the 7:30 service. It was an interesting an amazing experience. I am still contemplating and wondering where I am, but moved is all I can say. Near the begging as I stood with others I looked up from the balcony at the lower portion of the spire, and thoughts and memories of something I though I was healed from came flooding in and I said in prayer something Like “God, I don’t want to go there” and yet go there I did. Other things flowed through my mind as the service progressed as well: from my illness, to my sense of call, to… then the time was over and I stood and with hundreds of others left the sanctuary. Out through the doors of peace and into the world I went. The first time I have ever passed through those doors in all my times in worship and other events at the Temple. As I descended the stairs to the world plaza the ground was wet, the air cool and refreshing. The ride home, with a light on and off sprinkling of rain and with the fresh air flowing around me from the open window I came to a new palace, but the experiences is not ye complete, more must take place for the experience to come to an end and for the cycle of life to continue. It is a week of transformation, a week of amazing experiences and of great Joy as we prophetically and deliberately attempt to understand, embrace,and grow in our calling as a people in the world.
Upon returning home I had the wonderful privilege of spending time with many of my sisters and brothers from the British Isles and a few from elsewhere as they gather to wish my host a happy birthday and to show their support and willingness to sustain, up life, and co-minister with one of the Saints from the British Isles who has accepted the call to the office of elder. (Note: If you can avoid it never sit down next to a large pile of shoes).
That’s all for now as it is late and early must I rise.
Peace,
— Lyle II