Sunday, March 30, 2014

Carol and I have discussed the frequency of posting and determined when we have something pertaining to our calling and, in our view, of general interest, we will write. 

A public affairs calling raises the question, what do you do?  Having spent the better part of one month with the Public Affairs Director, Pacific Area, we are in a better position to understand as well as contribute. The Church together will all religions, Christian and non-Christian, face a strong rise in secularism.  This is especially strong in the current generation, i.e. those between the ages of 15 – 45. Secularism basically intends to disenfranchise religion and society.  Therefore, moral standards, the notion of right and wrong and similar traditional values associated with religion become degraded and those who champion them, in a pure sense, mocked or at the minimum, challenged.  All of us have witnessed these events historically and ongoing.  The Church has chosen to “fight” and we are not alone.  In New Zealand and primarily through the effort of public affairs activities, there is a three pronged approach:

1.       Build relationships with key opinion leaders both public and private.  Educate them as to our concerns and solicit their support.

2.       Build relationships with key members of the media.  Educate them as well.

3.       Work in tandem with other faiths through inter-faith organizations to promote common interests.

Our role is to engage, train and support priesthood leaders and their related stake organizations in these endeavors.  We are not the lead since we turn over every 18 months and these relationships must endure.

Last week, we traveled to Chirstchurch, the second largest city in NZ to meet with the Area Seventy and the Multi-stake Director of Public Affairs.  Our meetings were centered on the stake support of the objectives. The stake center is pictured above, a former estate purchased by the Church.  Truly beautiful and in the words of the mission president, “worth 8 missionaries”.

Christchurch is on the south island and approximately seven hundred miles south of Auckland. We traveled by air.  In September 2010, the city was hit with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake; however the epicenter was 40 miles to the west and while damage was sustained, no loss of life. Six months later, a second quake, 6.3 with the epicenter 2 miles below and almost centered on the central business district.  185 people lost their lives and the city was devastated. Seeing this firsthand is one of those experiences where the mood is tangible, a feeling of deep sadness and shock.  Imagine 80% of the buildings in downtown SLC either demolished or in such a state they would be fenced off and scheduled for demolition.  More than 15,000 aftershocks.

On Friday, between meetings, we drove to KaiKoura,  a spectacular beach city.  The views were breathtaking.  We did not have time to take a boat ride for the whale watch.  However, we were able to enjoy the company of several seals as we walked along the beach.  The topography in New Zealand is fascinating.  Flat, to rolling hills filled with cattle and sheep, to beautiful beaches. 

We fill so blessed to be serving here!  
Love and health to you all.