Thousands of faith leaders from around the world are gathering in Chicago this week for the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions. 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.
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- Parliament-of-World's-Religions-Chicago
- Parliament-of-World's-Religions-Chicago
- Parliament-of-World's-Religions
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Many Parliament attendees are enjoying the exhibit presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and FamilySearch. The beautiful Christus statue draws guests into the exhibit space, where they can work with FamilySearch volunteers to discover their family history and participate in fun activities.
One entry in the guest book reflects the reaction of many. She wrote, “Beautiful statue of Christ! It literally took my breath away as I walked around the corner. I felt instant peace and calmness.”
Baptist minister Myra Kinds was so touched by the Christus statue, she quietly began singing “Amazing Grace,” after which she and FamilySearch volunteer Denise Duffield shared a tender, tearful embrace.
Inside the exhibit, FamilySearch specialists help guests explore their family tree. Many were delighted to discover new information about distant relatives.
The Parliament offers an evening trolley tour of sacred spaces in Chicagoland, which includes a visit to the historic Hyde Park Meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Chicago’s South Side. There, Parliament visitors learn about the building as a center for community service and activities, in addition to its role as a sacred place for Sunday worship and varied programs for women and men, youth and children.
The Church has participated in the global interfaith gathering in previous years in Salt Lake City, Toronto and other locations.
Respect for the diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all the world’s faiths is one of the hallmarks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the faith’s earliest days, Joseph Smith elevated the principle of religious liberty and tolerance: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith 1:11).