This Is The Place

I am here people!

Ahhh it feel so great to actually be here in Utah after being awake for 28 hours consecutively! I arrived on Friday night, with my friend Robin Dick who I met at London Heathrow as we both made our way to Utah for Savior Of The World (SOTW), and we were picked up at Salt Lake City airport by the producer of Savior Of The World, Kirsta Davies.

First stop: Wendy's.  I got the #5 on the menu: a baconator burger with fries, and a chocolate frosty. I knew then, that we were most definitely in the USA - it had been too long and it was the best Wendy's I have ever tasted!

Bountiful Regional Center

We were then taken straight to the Bountiful Regional Center (a large conference theatre the LDS church owns) where I had a music rehearsal with the amazing Music Director of SOTW, Gayle Lockwood.  I had been awake for 27 hours by then after a long flight however, it was a wonderful rehearsal and it hit me then that I was actually here in Utah working on this beautiful production.

As I flew from Minneapolis into the Salt Lake valley - I've got to say - I was overcome and quite emotional. Why, you ask? Well it was a clear evening and there was nothing obstructing my view of the wonderful cities. As soon as I saw this breath taking grid system of houses, skyscrapers, roads mixed with, mountains, forests and ravines, I found myself suddenly thinking deeply about the LDS pioneers who worked endlessly in a desolate valley to build a city where they could worship God and have everyone take refuge in a place where they can be sealed in a temple to their family for eternity.  I thought about how exhausted they would have been after hundreds of miles of trekking across America to the west; I thought of the mothers, fathers, and children who sadly died on the way; I thought of the unflinching faith and zealous courage of a group of humble saints who fought against every law of nature and of the natural man to have the true Gospel of Christ live on for future generations like you and I.  I truly believe that the LDS pioneers genuinely cared about our happiness and our well being.

And thus, we have this now INCREDIBLE, HUMUNGOUS, BEAUTIFUL valley developed into a wonder grid of cities full of saints living the Gospel and also wonderful people who aren't a member of the church.  It think it's fitting that non-members enjoy the city as well as members as their is a sacred spirit to be felt here and a responsibility for members to invite others to Christ.

There is truly is something special about Salt Lake City - you just feel something very special when you're here and you can see so vividly why Brigham Young, as he looked across the wilderness from the top of the valley, said: “It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on."

I love this city and I feel a sense of belonging.  It is wonderful.

General Conference in the Conference Center

I was able to attend three sessions of General Conference this weekend, with Jessica and Corinne Wadley (my American sisters who's family I am staying with) at the conference center downtown Salt Lake City (Priesthood Session, Sunday a.m. session & Sunday p.m. session).  Being in the presence of members of the city, all members of the twelve, and the noble three men of the first presidency was so, so special.  Words can't describe.  My highlight so far was hearing our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, declare the truthfulness of Christ's gospel in person.  It was very powerful and very spiritual.

Today is now Monday and it's 0720am here.  I am going downtown Salt Lake today to the Church Office Building (COB) to do some work with the Director of the Priesthood Department and his colleagues.  

I love it here so much!