A Day in Parliament with Elder Oaks

Two weeks ago, I had a really neat opportunity to listen to Elder Dallin H. Oaks (a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) address an All-Party Parliamentary Group in the House of Lords. He spoke about the importance of international religious freedom and of the need for religious voices to be part of the public square.

I had this surreal moment in the House of Lords--it was standing room only in the room, but there were two extra seats at the round table (where the speakers were sitting alongside other dignitaries). The chair mentioned that there were two seats available and that someone should take the seat. My friends (who were standing with me) said that I should take it, but I hesitated. Finally, one of my friends said, "If you go, I'll go." So we went to sit at the front.

I just sat there--sitting with world leaders in government, religion, and law--and I thought for a moment: "Is this really reality? This can't be my life." But there you go. For a moment, that was my life. And it was such a surreal moment.

[This is the best picture I have of us with Elder Oaks at Parliament.]

[Some of the Oxford Crew at Parliament.]

[Dani and Meg Go to Parliament.]

 On Thursday, Elder Oaks came to Oxford to participate in a symposium on religious freedom. I was asked to be Sister Oaks's "go-to" woman, so I spent a good part of the day getting to know her. I really like her; she's an incredibly kind, insightful, and accomplished woman.

[With Elder and Sister Oaks.]

Anyway, it was a very busy two days, but also a very full two days. It was my first time ever meeting an LDS apostle, so it was also a special experience for me. I know that they are not perfect, but I really do believe that these men are called of God to represent the Savior and to do His work on the earth today.