History Prominent at World Conference

The role of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation permeated the church's World Conference in Independence, Missouri.
 
The biggest influence in the April event was seen in a crowded Temple Sanctuary for a Storytellers session that featured six people with profound tales about the Temple's influence in the past, present, and future.

"I was excited by the stories of impact that the Temple has had," said Karen Graham Wade, the foundation's board president. "It re-enforced my appreciation for our Enduring Principle of Pursuit of Peace."

But though this was the most visible event, the foundation's presence was felt in many other ways.

Consider the Village Expo, a gathering of booths representing church groups, affiliates, and like-minded organizations. The foundation shared a space with the Church History and Sacred Story Team.

Banners attracted passers-by, who soon found numerous resources, pamphlets, and brochures that touted foundation activities. An iPad demonstrated the new 3D virtual tours offered at the Kirtland Temple. A flyer described the Alma Blair Internship Program. A small book focused on Joseph Smith Jr.'s family in Nauvoo, Ill. Another book, Tuesday Tales in Church History, brought stories alive.

"It's nice to have a booth of good size," board member Sally Roth said. "We hope to achieve awareness of who we are and how to reach out. We want people to realize there are resources here, and we can help them connect with history."

Traffic at the booth, which also featured life-size cutouts of historic figures (wearing Conference lanyards and badges), was beyond brisk.

"We have been busy," admitted Barbara Walden, executive director of the foundation. "Yesterday we just about got run over! "To me this is continuing our sacred story," Walden continued. "Coming to an event like World Conference and seeing people from all over, you can see that we're a global church."