An exhibit featuring a Christus statue and family history resources, along with a visit to an historic Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in the area, appealed to visitors at a global faith event in Chicago, Illinois, during the week of Aug. 14-18.
As thousands of faith leaders from around the world gathered in the Windy City for the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, FamilySearch and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited visitors to see the Christus statue and learn more about their family history with the help of FamilySearch volunteers, according to an article on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
“Beautiful statue of Christ,” one person wrote in the guest book. “It literally took my breath away as I walked around the corner. I felt instant peace and calmness.”
Upon seeing the Christus statue, Baptist minister Myra Kinds quietly began singing “Amazing Grace,” and shared a tender, tearful embrace with FamilySearch volunteer Denise Duffield.
FamilySearch volunteers assisted many guests to discover new information about distant relatives, the article said.
As part of the conference, the Parliament offered an evening trolley tour of sacred spaces in Chicagoland, which included a stop at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ historic Hyde Park meetinghouse on Chicago’s South Side.
Parliament visitors learned about the building’s role as a center for community service and activities, as well as its role as a sacred place for Sunday worship for individuals and families.
The Parliament, first held in 1893 as part of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, is one of the premier global interfaith events where people of all faiths meet to discuss issues of universal concern and to strengthen relationships. The Church has participated in the global interfaith gathering in previous years in Salt Lake City; Toronto and other locations.
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