Today was, perhaps, the best day I’ve had here at BYU thus far. But I am tired now. I owe you this entry, and will pay in full tomorrow. I also owe you a protected entry about how I sold my soul Thursday night and then learned the hard way that that is bad. Until tomorrow, you may wait in suspense.
*tomorrow*
I will organize this into three sections because each section is so different and one may appeal to you more than another. (one section is on other religions, another is on my religious experience, and the last on social events) So where to begin?
Section One: The Museam and Art History
(Begins with Lunch, then goes into my field trip to sacred sites of various religions. I express appreciation and annalysis of the contributions of those religions)
Yesterday after English I had lunch with Chantelle in the Museam Cafe. It was a lovely lunch of bread, corn chowder, cheesecake, and good conversation. I feel like I should ellaborate more, but don’t know what to say.
After lunch I opened an awaited package and read the beginning of an awaited book. Then I ran back to the museam, where I met my art history class. We proceded to pack into vans and caravan to Salt Lake, where we attended the 3:30 prayer at a Mosque. It was very beautiful to watch. I ended up turning my own thoughts inward in my own prayer and had a very neat experience. Then one of the Muslim leaders of the Mosque told us about the Islamic faith. It was very enlightening. I learned so much, and gained a new appreciation for the Muslims. Historically we have a lot in common. Islam was founded at a time when the Christian church was in apostasy and corruption. Islam was sucessful in eliminating most of the paganism in the area, something we Christians struggled with. They created a prayerful, God-fearing population that we should all appreciate.
After the Mosque we went to a beautiful Catholic Cathedral in Salt Lake City. The Priest there was very welcoming, and I felt an immense sense of reverance during the mass we attended. I also, however, felt a great sense of loss. The pews were so empty. Everything felt so hollow. I wish that all pews could be filled like they once were. I have often wondered why LDS architecture has departed so much from Catholic architecture, which is beautiful. I discovered why last night.
I never realized before how closely architecture is aligned with Church doctrine– specifically in the Catholic Church. The pointed barrel and groin valuted cieling and the way that it envelops space and emphasises vertical lines intentionally makes you feel small. Part of this is to direct your attention upward towards heaven, but it is also to make you feel humble and helpless (no negative connotation meant there). The Catholic message, as I have felt and understood it, is that because of the Fall we are born in sin and need Christ’s atonement to overcome that sin. The architecture is literally designed to make you feel fallen so that you will feel the need to call upon Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Latter-day Saints also preach a need for forgiveness from Jesus Christ. We preach that salvation only comes through Him and His atoning sacrafice. So why don’t we shape the space of our Chapels in the same way? I can’t be a money issue- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the wealthiest Church in America if not the world. I think the real reason is, at least in part, over our diference in the idea of original sin. Though we believe Adam fell, we believe that all children are born innocent. We believe that men condemn themselves with their own words, deeds, and thoughts, and not with Adam’s fall. Further more, we put a lot of emphasis on each of us being a Child of God, and as such an heir to His glory. We believe that we have a divine inheritence based on our divine Parentage. Thus are architecture is also made to lift your eyes upward, but it is done so in a much different way. I could go on, and will if you ask me to, but I don’t want to bore you into not reading the rest of my day, which only gets better it went on . . .
Section Two: Temple Square
(A ward trip to the Salt Lake Temple to view the film Testaments- this is the best part of the day)
After the Cathedral Seth, Sean, and I split from the Art History group and went to Temple Square. We ate some dinner and then met our ward there. I enjoyed visiting the beautiful plaza there at night and enjoying the lights, the beauty of the Temple, and the company.
At 7:30 we went into the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to watch the Testaments in the Legacy theater. I had never seen the film before (it is only shown in the Legacy Theater and a Theater in Washington DC and is not yet available on video though it has been playing continuously for 5 or 6 years), but I have heard so much about I had very high expectations. I figured it would be predictable for that reason, but was actually very surprised.
The movie really touched me. No other film has expressed our feelings for Jesus Christ more than this movie. It is distinctly LDS, and yet it boldly declares that Jesus is the Christ, the God of Heaven, and the Source of our Salvation. It takes place during the life of Christ, beginning with His birth, but unlike anything else I’ve ever seen, it shifts back and forth from Israel to the ancient American Continent. It does a beautiful job of putting the Book of Mormon in context with the Bible, and shows how both Testify of Christ.
One of things that at meant a lot to me was the portrayal of one of the main characters who was an artist. The really show the temptations of the artists in way that at first offended me. I had to realize, though, that those temptations are real, and they showed them very acurately.
The parts that touched me most were when Christ healed the boy as recorded in Mark 9 (Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief), the atonement of Christ, and the scene at the end when Christ heals Helam. The way they showed the atonement was breathtaking. I wept uncontrollably as I watched the Savior say, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” in the Garden of Gethsemene. I could not bear to seem him suffer, be betrayed, be condemned, be flogged and spat upon, and be lifted up on the cross. I can’t even describe my emotions. And then to see an empty tomb. . . gall. It was just so powerful.
I testify that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He lives. He is a guiding force in my life. He sustains me in difficult times. Throughout this movie, I had uncontrollable urges to fall at His feet and too ask for healing. The Bible and Book of Mormon are parallel Testaments of Jesus Christ. I believe in Him, and in them. I know both books to be true. The Book of Mormon has been a wonderful blessing in my life.
When the movie comes out on video, hopefully next year, I will sent it to as many people as I can. It is lifechanging. Granted, I had my qualms with one of the actors and with a few artistic things, the message of the Testaments of Christ ring out above any flaws.
Section Three: Dormward Bound
(flirting on the busride home and in the S hall lobby)
I rode home with Jenna. Lets just say that it was a very slap happy trip filled with moving lights, the seven eleven near New Hampshire next to Maryland, green alien eggs, and green Italians. Further explanation may be given upon request.
Oh- and we also played a version of Murder. It was a very nice game because we all held hands in a circle and tried to kill eachother by squeezing hands. Some of you know what it means for me to hold hands. Lets just say I was right to think I would be back into the swing of things after thanksgiving. Further explanation may be given upon request.
At the dorms Jenna and I played pool (Cut-throat) against Aaron and Jannelle, and Bridgette and Jason. It was fun . . ny. Jenna and I were a little slap happy, as Dani’s pictures will attest. After cutthroat we played various card games and other games like Grandma (also called Zip Bong) until 1:30 in the morning. Lets just say it was a lot of fun and I was feeling really happy by the time I went to bed at 2:20.
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