The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Global visitors and prominent individuals from across the United Kingdom attended the 2023 British Pageant in Chorley, Lancashire, hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the grounds of the Preston England Temple during the first two weeks of August.
His Excellency Ivan Romero-Martinez of Honduras, Dean of the London Diplomatic Corps, was joined at the Pageant by nineteen of his international associates. Other prominent participants in the events included House of Commons Speaker Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Government minister David Rutley MP, and Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Ambassador Ivan Romero-Martinez said, “I’m very happy to be here and to learn more about the hearts of this wonderful people. I plan to come back again.”
The Pageant held special meaning for Fiona Bruce MP. “The story of the British Pageant tells a story of the faith and sacrifice of the people in my home county of Lancashire and throughout the UK to which we all can relate,” she remarked.
David Rutley MP said, “It is impressive to see how well the public has received this Pageant. I came a second night – I enjoyed it so much.”
Elder Alan T Phillips, Second Counsellor in the Church’s Europe North Area Presidency and Elder Adrian Bettridge, Area Seventy, were there to support this historic event. The British Pageant, one of only three pageants sponsored globally by the Church, is held every four years.
Addressing diplomatic and government representatives, and referencing the journey of religious freedom reflected in the Pageant, Elder Phillips reflected, “Our story is one of faith and sacrifice for the rights that our forebears made in our behalf and that we enjoy today. We need to ask the question of what more we can do so others can feel the warmth of community that we feel here tonight. I am grateful to you who devote your lives to give voice to those who are silenced.”
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
