Eucharist at Durham Cathedral and General Conference

This morning was pretty interesting.

Really cool, and really interesting.

This morning I walked my dressed up bum to Durham Cathedral to attend Eucharist.

I have never attended a service for another religion before and I was really excited for the experience.

Durham did not disappoint.

It could have been the surroundings,

 (crazy right?)

or the music, or the grand ceremony of it all, but I found it fascinating and lovely.

There was this great choir, beautiful prayers, and a lot of standing, kneeling, and group speaking.

It was all very new and old at the same time.

I was grateful for the experience.

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Everything here kind of reminds me of the service at the cathedral.

There is A LOT of "pomp and circumstance" attached to EVERYTHING.

In a way it is really nice, it really causes you to understand that you are a part of something with a history and a tradition.  It is definitely a motivator to carry on the greatness that came before you.

On the other hand, I have been grateful that General Conference is this weekend.

Despite the time difference I am able to watch it live (starting at 5pm).

I love the simplicity of the gospel and even the responsibility that is placed on us as disciples of Jesus Christ to seek out our divine heritage and mission.  It definitely is not thrown in your face but requires a great deal of work and effort - like any relationship and thing worth knowing does.

There is truth and wonderful people being led by the Spirit of God in every single corner of the globe.  During the service they would quote a scripture or discuss a concept and then say something along the lines of, "great is the mystery of faith".

At certain points it was slightly difficult for me when I could see things that were missing, lost, or changed.  Subtle words in the scriptures that would change or shade the meaning of the verse, conception of the Father and the Son and their mission, and a lack of...newness.  

For example, here is a quote from the first reading of The Liturgy of the Word:

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds." (Hebrews 1. 1-4)

We KNOW that God the Father speaks for himself and also through His son, Jesus Christ, has done so from the beginning, and continues to do so (think the First Vision of Joseph Smith).  This comes through both scripture and modern revelation.  They have ALWAYS given their word through prophets, and continue to do so. (Amos 3:7, Ephesians 2:19-20, etc.)

I have taken for granted the truth that has been so a part of my daily life.

This weekend is just another example of that.

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So, favorite part of the day?

Singing All Creatures of Our God and King, in a cathedral, at full voice.

Awe inspiring.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the knowledge that comes from studying the scriptures, participating in the ordinances of salvation, and having the opportunities to build the kingdom of God.

I hope that I may be worthy to hear the Spirit and the courage to be obedient.

Wow, this morning has been huge for me.

Cheers.

♥ ♥ ♥