1848 "The proletariat is the undertaker of capitalism,"
Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto
1956 "We will bury you,"
Nikita Khrushchev, addressing Western ambassadors
2014 "We will dig you out,"
The Mormons, DPI-NGO United Nations Briefing
Invitations were passed out during sacrament meeting. The Church Department of Public Information would be presenting a Non-Governmental Organization briefing on Tuesday.
Chris & Stefanie at the U.N?
GOT TO HAPPEN!
We called the RSVP number at LDS Public Affairs - New York. Eight rings, eleven rings, no answer. We waited for the message machine, but no recording came on the line. No message machine at a public affairs office? I sent an email but no response came. We now turned to the time-proven method - the Mormon back door. One of the other CES couples, the Phillips of Gilbert Arizona, were seated across from us at in-service meeting that Monday morning. They knew someone, who knew someone. Sister Phillips grabbed her cell phone.
Two minutes later we were on THE LIST.
But you don't just walk into the United Nations. Not in the long wake of 911. I remember being picked up in the family motor home after my mission some forty years ago. We toured historic sites along the east coast. During a Grayline tour of Manhattan we walked all around the U.N. property. The lobby was filled with interesting gifts from attending nations. The U.S. display had featured a moon rock.
The only campus ramble permitted today is a paid tour. A security fence traces the perimeter. There is only one public entrance, funnelling through scanning machines. Guests of an NGO briefing, we joined a security queue. The temperature was sub 20's. Public affairs people combed the line, comparing lists. Some members had special tickets and jumped to the front. They apparently knew somebody who knew somebody else. One older couple was not on the list. They had been waiting a while when this was discovered. We sympathized. They declined Stefanie's offer of our tickets and left. I thought, "Wow, I hope this isn't a foretaste of St. Peter's procession."
Freezing, freezing, freezing. We got through. On route to the conference room we passed a few sculptures. Near the entrance was a medieval knight battling a twin headed beast. The post cold-war gift from Russia was crafted from remains of ICB Missiles: St. George slaying the dragon of nuclear armament.
The briefing was smoothly presented to a mostly home-team audience, but other NGO's were significantly present as well. The Joseph Smith testimony was featured, including a narrative about the Book of Mormon. The Q&A was most interesting, as the panel carefully fielded questions on the Church's proselyting intentions, birth control, and women's issues. We were most impressed with the capability of the LDS presenters, particularly
Sharon Eubank, Director at LDS Charities, and
Ahmad S. Corbitt, Director of LDS Public and International Affairs, New York Office (recently called as Mission President - Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East).
Afterward: a calculating meander toward the exits, a tour of sorts.
We gathered at Grand Central Station for lunch.
It was a good day for the Church - a coming of international age.
The minor disappointment?
Sister Owens wouldn't let Elder Owens bang his shoe on the delegate table.
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| The view from our "Delegate" seats |
Michael was baptized three weeks ago, immediately after a Sunday Sacrament service. He invited me to confirm him. He told me once that his parents had named him after the archangel Michael. In the minutes before his confirmation ordinance, I felt spiritual impressions about his missionary gifts and duties. These were pronounced during his blessing. Michael mentioned later the the Spirit had born strong personal witness of his decision to join the church. The next week in Sunday School, President Nulty introduced Michael as the newest and therefore, the most perfect member of the branch: 
