Lessons Learned at Westminster Abbey

Today after attending worship services at an LDS chapel near Hyde Park my travel buddy, a friend from another phase of life, and an acquaintance of my travel buddy who we randomly ran into went and explored a bit. We decided to participate in Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

As we walked down the hall, I noticed a beautiful alter cover that had "All Shall Be Well" stitched into the side. A feeling a peace entered my heart. Indeed, all shall be well. On this journey, I have been continually reminded of how blessed I am. How grateful I am for my wonderful life and the myriad of opportunities that I have enjoyed thus far in my life.

As part of the service, those in attendance faced east and recited The Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead,
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

While I can't say I agree with everything above, there is so much in this passage that rings true with what I personally believe, and that is so beautifully put. I find the lines "was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven" particularly moving.

I believe that is true. As Peter said in 1 Peter 3:19: "...he went and preached to the spirits in prison". I believe that after death our souls go to a spirit world and that world is divided into a spirit prison and a spirit paradise. It seems very likely to me these are not necessarily different physical locations, but are denoted by a mental and emotional feeling our souls have based on our choices during our moral life and the increased knowledge we gain as we leave this life. I also thought about some of the words of Joseph F Smith on this subject found in Doctrine and Covenants 138. I am incredibly grateful that Jesus Christ was willing to descend below all things so that each of us has the opportunity to choose to rise above all things through the aid of His atoning sacrifice!

As we were waiting for the Evensong to begin, I was reading the front of the program which included the following "Whether you are Anglican (Episcopalian), or of another Christian Church or of another faith, or seeking or doubting, you are warmly welcome to take part in the service."

To me, that reflects the life and role that Christ embodied while on this earth. "Come unto me", "blessed are the poor in spirit", "my peace I leave with you" - all invitations expressing that we are welcome.

Thank you Westminster Abbey for making me welcome, for speaking to my soul and deepening my faith in Jesus Christ (and for the beautiful music, sermon and architecture!)