Last Saturday I went to the first ever "New England Inter-Faith Women's Conference" sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There was an impressive three thousand women in attendance. I was impressed as the introduction of the day was made and we were asked to use reverence during the day allowing the spirit to touch our hearts. We were asked NOT to applaud after musical numbers and speakers, maintaining that reverence. This is New England. They must not have heard, no applause. They applauded before and after every person that had a part on the program. It really did take away from the spirit.
However, there were amazing speakers. Stephanie Nielsen spoke, and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. I can't remember the name of the woman, who was a great humanitarian; her love of the people of the world and the work she does to help them was incredible. Then a surprise speaker came; Elder Jeffery R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was in the area and stopped by just to leave a blessing on us all. His testimony was full of joy. These wonderful speakers were applauded before and after they spoke. I was in awe that so few in the audience could follow directions.
I had signed up for a class called "The Face of Jesus Christ in Paintings and Sculpture." I was excited about this class because I love great art. But I was disappointed. The woman who presented the class had brought pictures of terrible, disgusting, pictures of our Lord. None of them carried any spirit. I thought that some one, who was a curator of a museum of fine art and a Christian, would want us to feel the beauty that so many artists have created with Jesus Christ as the subject. I was so disappointed I wanted to cry.
I was the one driving. I had Sister Cowdin and Sister Mead with me, and we had decided we would not attend the last session because we needed to be on the road so we could get home before dark. Elder Cowdin and Roger were taking care of the Visitor Center. So we had one chance more to lift my heart. We all decided to stay together for this workshop. We needed a feeling of the spirit to take home with us. We were blessed. It started with Dallyn Bayles singing "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables. It was incredible. I didn't know until then that he plays the part of Hyrum Smith in the Restoration Movie, which I show all the time. His voice and the song brought tears to my eyes. Then the LDS Institute Director for the Massachusetts area spoke. Her name is Barbara Morgan. She told us a story that was familiar to all of us. President Spencer Kimball was in the airport at Chicago and he saw a young, very pregnant mother traveling alone with her young daughter, and she needed help. She had been forced into a layover because of weather, and she was struggling. President Kimball asked her if he could help her by holding her little daughter, to give the mother a rest. I have always loved that story. Well it turns out that the woman was Barbara Morgan's mother, and the little girl her older sister. She said she asked her mother why she never told that story to anyone and she said, "it is President Kimball's story." It was definitely a tender workshop. I was fed.
I loved being able to travel the two hours (each way) to this conference with wonderful sisters who serve with me at the Visitor Center. There are parts that I will never forget. Some good, some bad. But I will always remember the loving testimony of Elder Holland, the sister with the incredible humanitarian experiences, Stephanie Nielsen, and the example of her love of God and perseverance, Dallyn Bayles (Hyrum), singing one of my favorite songs, and the wonderful stories and testimony of Barbara Morgan.
I am glad I went.
